FERTILISER DEPENDENCE
Rs 37,500 cr coal gasification push: CDEP-CWS study identifies priority chemicals to cut import
A study suggests India focus on coal-derived hydrogen, synthetic natural gas, and methanol to reduce imports. The government's initiative has a budget of Rs 37,500-crore aimed at boosting coal gasification. Investments should prioritize products that promise economic returns and reduce import dependence. The plan aims for 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030. India's experience may benefit from insights derived from China's coal-to-chemicals industry.
Shift from higher yields to nutrient-efficient crops needed to cut fertiliser dependence: ICAR’s Jat
Jat emphasised that soil biodiversity and agrobiodiversity are fundamental to sustainable agriculture
CAG to audit urea subsidy, distribution in 169 districts
India plans to spend ₹2.17 lakh crore on fertiliser subsidies this fiscal year, focusing on urea. The Comptroller and Auditor General will conduct a comprehensive audit examining 149 districts with high urea consumption. This audit will address efficiency, demand assessment, and subsidy rationalisation initiatives while ensuring environmental sustainability. It aims to scrutinise import planning and financial impacts related to urea production and subsidies.
First decade since Independence with over 4 pc agri growth, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that Indian agriculture grew more than 4 percent per year in the past decade. He emphasized that many small farmers have improved their economic situation significantly during this time. The government invested heavily in supporting farmers, especially in fertilizer subsidies, to reduce their input costs. Modi urged farmers to adopt natural farming practices and diversify their crops to enhance income sources.
Nagpur couple earns over Rs 4 lakh per month from a 400 sqft room business that has a profit margin of 80%
Nagpur couple earns over Rs 4 lakh per month from a 400 sqft room. Nagpur couple, Akshay Holey and Divya Lohakare Holey, has turned a 400-square-foot room into a saffron cultivation unit using aeroponic technology. By growing the expensive spice without soil, they have built a business generating annual revenue of Rs 40-50 lakh. Their saffron sells for around Rs 6.3 lakh per kg. After investing Rs 55 lakh, the couple targets to achieve Rs 1.3 crore earnings over in 5 years.
PM Modi says farmers remain top priority as Cabinet approves rabi fertiliser subsidy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the approval of Nutrient-Based Subsidy rates for the upcoming rabi 2026-27 season. This decision aims to protect farmers from fluctuating international fertiliser prices, ensuring affordability. The budgetary requirement for this subsidy has increased significantly from the previous season. The government emphasizes that improving farmers' lives remains a top priority amidst global challenges. The total budget required is approximately Rs 62,370 crore for this season.
Ahead of Market: 10 things that will decide stock market action on Thursday
Indian markets extended their winning streak to nine consecutive regular sessions on November 11, with Sensex rising 773 points and Nifty gaining 210 points. Strong broader market participation, renewed buying interest and positive investor sentiment supported the rally.
The much awaited Noida-Greater Noida West metro link, a mega museum and more: Inside the Cabinet's Rs 77,101 crore package
On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved significant proposals for infrastructure and business support across India. The government will allocate ₹3,230 crores for the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum in New Delhi. A metro rail project linking Noida and Greater Noida will receive ₹2,390 crores for development. Additionally, ₹62,370 crores will be set aside for NBS rates on fertilizers for the Rabi 2026-27 season.
Noida to Greater Noida West Metro gets Rs 2,390 crore boost: 8.5-km Aqua Line extension to have five new stations; check route, interchange & completion timeline
Noida to Greater Noida West Metro: Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday announced the Cabinet's approval for the Rs 2,390-crore Noida Metro Aqua Line extension from Sector 51 to Greater Noida Sector 4. The 8.5-km elevated corridor will have five new stations and is expected to be completed within four years. The project aims to improve connectivity across Noida and Greater Noida West and ease traffic congestion.
NTPC sole applicant in second round of coal gasification scheme
The second round of applications for the coal gasification scheme saw participation from only NTPC Ltd. In contrast, the first round attracted five companies, highlighting a change in interest levels. The scheme aims to reduce import dependence while supporting the production of industrial feedstocks from domestic coal. NTPC's involvement is considered a positive sign amidst limited interest from other firms.
Easing global headwinds, lower crude oil prices may further lift rupee in coming months: Economists
Economists predict the Indian rupee will strengthen against the US dollar in the coming months. Factors contributing to this appreciation include lower crude oil prices and improving foreign capital inflows. Additionally, a weaker US dollar and the easing of geopolitical tensions are supporting this trend. The Reserve Bank of India has implemented measures to stabilize the currency and enhance dollar availability.
From lab to farm: How Proximal Soilsens is developing a ‘glucometer’ for soil testing
Developed over nearly a decade of research at IIT Bombay, Proximal Soilsens’s patented NutriSense X aims to make laboratory-grade soil testing portable, faster and accessible. The device tests multiple soil parameters in seconds, without requiring electricity or elaborate laboratory infrastructure.
DPIIT seeks Fillip for local mfg of 100 goods in budget
DPIIT has examined 500 heavily imported products to identify opportunities for boosting domestic manufacturing. The department plans to share its findings with the finance ministry for the FY28 budget recommendations. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met with Skoda Auto Volkswagen to promote electric vehicle manufacturing and increase localization. High import dependence is classified based on the percentage of domestic demand met by imports.
Trump to launch nuclear attack against Iran? Ex-Fox presenter says US may be days away from strike, shares how it could affect India, oil and fertilisers
US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson claims Trump might consider a nuclear strike on Pickaxe Mountain in Iran. Allegations arise that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for a military attack against Tehran. A potential strike raises concerns over radioactive fallout affecting regions including northwestern India. Discussions between Trump and Netanyahu reportedly emphasize military action following US midterm elections.
Jaishankar has a message for the world: Give diplomacy a chance, as military solutions won't work
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed the importance of diplomacy to address global challenges at the G20 meeting. He highlighted ongoing conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in West Asia, while addressing seafarer safety. Jaishankar emphasized the impact of market flooding and supply chain issues on the Global South. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of interconnected economic and geopolitical crises affecting the global economic order.
Out of Europe? India's steel MSMEs battle data gaps, rising cost and EU's carbon wall
Smaller Indian steel exporters say they are struggling to obtain emissions data from raw-material suppliers and bear the cost of carbon accounting and verification under the EU’s carbon border rules.
GSFC plans Jamnagar acid plant to cut fertiliser input import dependence
In a major move, Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals has announced plans to establish a new plant in Jamnagar dedicated to the production of sulphuric and phosphoric acid. This facility will play a crucial role in ensuring the availability of essential raw materials for phosphate fertilizers, particularly in light of increasing prices driven by geopolitical tensions.
Urea imports surge 40% despite push to cut chemical fertilisers
Total urea imports in the April-September period rose to 5.589 million tonnes from 3.979 million tonnes in the first half of last fiscal year. Local sales fell 4.1% to 18.52 million tonnes. The sales were down primarily due to poor rainfall in large parts of the country deterring farmers from spending on soil nutrients, said a senior executive at a large urea firm.
Speedy project approvals, assured buyers key to India's 100 MT coal gasification target by 2030
India has set a target to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030 with significant investments. The coal ministry estimates the investment required will be between Rs 2.5 and 3 lakh crore. A streamlined single-window approval process is essential to facilitate this ambitious project. Coal gasification is expected to reduce India's import dependence on methanol and natural gas.
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