September 15, 2025, Rasi Seeds has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Grassland & Fodder Research Institute (ICAR-IGFRI), Jhansi, to enhance the supply of quality forage seeds for India’s dairy sector. Under this collaboration, Rasi, through its “Sira Seeds” brand, will commercialize two high-yielding ICAR-IGFRI varieties of berseem and oats. With over 2.5 million hectares currently under cultivation for these fodder crops, the initiative aims to reduce India’s fodder deficit, improve livestock nutrition, boost milk yields, and lower feed costs—particularly during the winter season. The step also aligns with the government’s “White Revolution 2.0” vision of promoting sustainable inputs for dairy. Industry experts point out that green fodder remains one of the largest recurring costs for dairy farmers. Better-performing varieties of berseem and oats can significantly enhance forage productivity and quality, thereby reducing the cost of milk production. This, in turn, could help farms become more self-sufficient in fodder, particularly in the regions around Jhansi and other IGFRI influence zones, lessening the need for long-distance transport or imports of feed. The availability of improved green fodder may also ease pressure on crops like maize, currently used heavily for silage and grain in feed rations. If quality forage becomes cheaper and more accessible, dairy farmers could shift demand away from maize, moderating its role in the feed mix during scarce winter and dry seasons. This partnership highlights the growing public-private collaboration in India’s feed and fodder sector. It is expected to accelerate investment in seed research, strengthen distribution networks for forage seed, and improve on-ground adoption through extension services. For dairy cooperatives and input providers, the development also opens avenues to bundle forage seed, advisory support, and feed solutions, creating integrated models for improving milk productivity and farmer incomes.

September 16, 2025. Sarveshwar Foods, a fast-growing FMCG company and premium basmati rice brand from the Himalayan foothills, has bagged four major export contracts worth ₹63 crore from Singapore-based Swan International Pte for the supply of premium Indian parboiled rice. Swan International, a global agri-supply chain company with expertise in warehousing, processing, transport and cross-border trade, will distribute the rice through its international network to meet growing global demand. Commenting on the development, Seema Rani, Director of International Business at Sarveshwar Foods, said the orders demonstrate the company’s global competitiveness, robust supply chain, and commitment to quality. She added that the contracts will accelerate the company’s footprint in high-margin export markets. Sarveshwar Foods, which already holds international food safety certifications for exports to China and the US, operates from Jammu and Gandhidham in Gujarat. Its basmati rice, cultivated in mineral-rich soil along the river Chenab with organic practices and without artificial fertilizers, is positioned as a premium and naturally pure offering in global markets.

September 14, A new regional office of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been inaugurated in Patna, marking a major push for Bihar’s agri-export potential. The state, known for GI-tagged produce like Shahi Litchi, Jardalu Mango, Mithila Makhana and Magahi Pan, will now get direct access to export facilitation, certification support, market intelligence and infrastructure development through the new office. The opening was highlighted with the flag-off of a 7 metric ton shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana to New Zealand, Canada and the USA, led by a woman entrepreneur from Darbhanga. The initiative is expected to reduce exporters’ reliance on APEDA’s Varanasi office and provide faster, direct handholding for farmer groups, FPOs, and start-ups in Bihar. This move strengthens Bihar’s integration into global agri-value chains, with recent successes including exports of Jardalu Mango, Shahi Litchi, and traditional sweets like Tilkut to international markets. The Patna office is positioned as a gateway for expanding sustainable and high-value agri-trade from the state.

September 14, Gujarat, India’s largest groundnut-producing state, is set to achieve a record 66 lakh tonne of production this year, according to preliminary estimates of the State government. The projection marks a 26 per cent increase over last year’s output of 52.20 lakh tonne. In the ongoing Kharif season, groundnut sowing has touched 22 lakh hectares, about 15 per cent higher than 19.1 lakh hectares in 2024-25. Of this, 16.64 lakh hectares are concentrated in the Saurashtra region, which continues to remain a major hub for both groundnut and cotton cultivation. In North Gujarat, nearly 40,000 hectares of groundnut have been sown, but heavy rains and floods in districts such as Banaskantha, Patan and Kutch have raised concerns over crop losses. Farmer organisations have highlighted the risks posed by flooding. “Though the government has estimated record production, the actual outcome will depend on the situation in flood-hit districts,” said Sagar Rabari, president of Khedut Samaj and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Gujarat. Last season, the Gujarat government procured a record 12.22 lakh tonne of groundnut under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) programme, benefiting 3.67 lakh farmers and generating purchases worth ₹8,295 crore. Officials have indicated that similar procurement measures will be taken this year as well, in view of the bumper harvest expectations. The State has also extended the last date of farmer registration for MSP procurement of Kharif crops until September 22, covering groundnut along with moong, urad, and soybean.

September 01,The Indian Tea Association (ITA) has raised concerns over the US’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods, cautioning that the move may significantly impact tea exports to the American market. India exported nearly 17 million kgs of tea to the US last year, while shipments till May 2025 stood at 6.26 million kgs. ITA noted that producers, who already operate on thin margins, cannot absorb the additional cost burden caused by the higher duty. Despite strong demand for Assam and Darjeeling teas in the US, the association has urged the government to provide policy support, subsidies, and incentives, particularly to reduce the country’s high inland transport costs. ITA also pressed for the reinstatement of the orthodox tea subsidy to strengthen India’s competitiveness in the global market. Export performance so far in 2025 shows a mixed trend. North India recorded healthy growth of 8.74% in volume and 22.33% in value between January and May compared to the same period last year, while South India saw a decline of 15.42% in export volume, though the value rose slightly by 2.59% due to higher unit prices. At the national level, all-India tea exports increased by 15.09% in value and 16.85% in unit price, but overall quantities fell marginally by 1.51%.

FOLSOM, CA – The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the official 2025 California Walnut Industry Objective Measurement Report on September 4, 2025. The 2025 California walnut production is forecasted at 710,000 tons (644,101 metric tons), representing an 18% increase from the 2024 production of 603,000 tons (547,032 metric tons). This forecast is based on 365,000 bearing acres, which is slightly down 1% from 370,000 acres in 2024. The USDA used scientific field methodologies, counting and evaluating thousands of walnuts from major growing regions in July and August to develop this crop volume estimate. The nut set per tree is up 28% from 2024, with an average of 972 nuts per tree compared to 761 last year. Walnut quality is reported to be exceptional this year, with fully filled shells and lighter kernel color, expected to surpass the excellent quality seen in the previous two years. The California walnut industry is close to selling out the 2024 crop inventory, which is historically low, and expects most of the remaining inventory to be sold by October. Harvest for the 2025 crop begins in September with early varieties and may extend into early November, aiming for peak quality. Robert Verloop, CEO of the California Walnut Board and Commission, stated the industry is well-positioned with a strong, stable market driven by a combination of virtually sold-out previous crop inventory and a promising new harvest. The board continues to focus on building global demand by promoting walnut consumption through various programs emphasizing quality, food safety, and market reliability. The California Walnut Board and Commission represent over 3,700 walnut growers and about 70 handlers statewide, with California producing over 99% of U.S. walnuts, which are shipped globally year-round. The Board and Commission also support research, market development, and educational efforts to maintain and grow walnut demand domestically and internationally. This forecast indicates a robust and promising season for California walnuts in 2025, blending increased production, excellent nut quality, and strategic market initiatives for sustained industry growth. Source: USDA NASS 2025 Walnut Objective Measurement Report and California Walnut Board & Commission statements.

September 02, The Indian government has allowed sugar mills to freely choose the feedstock for ethanol production in 2025-26, including sugarcane juice, syrup, and molasses. The move is aimed at curbing excess sugar output, as production is projected to rise 18% to 34.9 million tonnes in the new season. Oil marketing companies currently pay between ₹57.97–₹71.86 per litre depending on feedstock, while the Food Corporation of India will increase rice prices from ₹22.50 to ₹23.20/kg from November 1. Industry officials say diverting more sugarcane juice into ethanol will help balance sugar supply while boosting biofuel production. The sugar industry, with a capacity of 853 crore litres of ethanol per year, may need to divert around 11 mt of sugar if full capacity is utilised.