Business
AgroSpectrum
Basmati at the Crossroads: Precision, Policy and Premium Power
India dominates global Basmati exports in volume and diversity. The next challenge is aligning science, GI enforcement and trade strategy to convert structural leadership into enduring brand power.
5 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
“To make agroforestry investable and bankable at scale, financing mechanisms must evolve”
As India's wood market surges—from $ 14.77 billion in 2024 to a projected $22.5 billion by 2029—reducing the country's $7-billion annual wood import bill has become a national priority. In an interview with AgroSpectrum, Manoj Dabas, Country Director, CIFOR-ICRAF India, explains why agroforestry is at a decisive inflection point. Drawing on CIFOR-ICRAF's longstanding collaboration with ICAR and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, he outlines how scaling Trees Outside Forests through regulatory harmonisation, patient finance, stronger markets, and digital MRV systems can boost climate resilience, rural incomes, and domestic timber security ahead of TREESCAPES 2026. Edited excerpts;
3 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
"Agri supply chains in India will continue to become more organised, with stronger linkages between storage, financing and markets by 2030"
Founded in 2006, StarAgri has evolved from a post-harvest services provider into India's largest integrated agri-tech solutions group spanning storage, finance, trade, and digital marketplaces. Backed by a strong FY25 performance—55 per cent YoY growth and 12 per cent ROE—the company is now gearing up for its IPO, with a roadmap to reach Rs 2,000 crore turnover and 18 per cent ROE by FY26. In an exclusive interaction with AgroSpectrum, Amith Agarwal, Co-founder & CEO of StarAgri, shares insights into the company's growth strategy, financial trajectory, and how the public listing will support its next chapter of expansion. Edited excerpts;
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Maharashtra Unveils MahaAgX and India's First Bhili Tribal AI Model
L-R: Vikas Chandra Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries Department, Govt of Maharashtra; Parameswaran Iyer, Executive Director of World Bank; Ashish Jaiswal, Minister of State for Agriculture - Government of Maharashtra; Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Sunetra Pawar, Deputy CM, Government of Maharashtra; Dattatray Bharne, Agriculture Minister, Govt of Maharashtra along with other dignitaries at the AI4Agri2026, 2-day summit held on March 22, in Mumbai.
6 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
India–EU FTA 2026: Big Export Push for Marine & Agri Sectors, Safeguards for Farmers
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement marks a major breakthrough in global trade diplomacy, creating new export opportunities while carefully protecting sensitive farm sectors. With zero-duty access for marine products, selective gains in horticulture and processed foods, and continued safeguards for dairy and staples, the agreement strikes a balance between global market expansion and domestic farmer stability.
7 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
"Al-enabled agronomy can further accelerate impact to optimise irrigation and risk management"
Dr Mo Segad, a Swedish and American soil scientist and inventor, was officially recognised by the World Food Prize Foundation as one of the 39 recipients in the 2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneers (TAP) cohort. He is a distinguished professor, UNCCD-accredited expert, and globally recognised inventor whose work is redefining climate-smart and resilient desert agriculture. As founder of 3N BioTech, Pure Green Al, and a UN-accredited forestry organisation, and as a distinguished council member of the World Agriculture Forum, Dr Segad integrates Al, soil science, and regenerative practices to deliver scalable, verifiable solutions aligned with COP outcomes, NDCs, UNCCD Land Degradation Neutrality, and FAO food security mandates. In an interview with AgroSpectrum he highlights how pioneering nano/ bio soil technologies and nature-based innovations are transforming arid and degraded lands into productive, climate-resilient farms that boost food security while reducing water use, agrochemicals, and carbon emissions and use of technology such as Al in maintaining soil health. Edited excerpts;
3 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Europe Opens the Gate, India Powers the Catch
When India signed its Free Trade Agreement with the European Union on January 27, it opened the door to a major expansion of India's marine economy. With tariff reductions of up to 26 per cent and preferential access covering 100 per cent of trade value, Indian seafood exporters now gain improved entry into a €50+ billion marine import market. For a country whose marine exports to the EU are currently valued at around Rs 8,715 crore, the potential upside is significant. What makes this moment transformative is the alignment between external market access and internal policy support. The fisheries sector—recognised as a Sunrise Sector—now sits at the intersection of trade diplomacy, infrastructure investment and digital reform.
2 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Prof. Ramesh Chand to Deliver Vision Talk at AgroSpectrum Technovate 2026 on March 12
After a successful completion of its first edition of AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025, AgroSpectrum is proud to announce its second edition, AgroSpectrum Technovate 2026, an exclusive two-day summit, set to occur on March 12-13, 2026, at the CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Center, in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
2 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
What the Future Holds for Agri Warehousing: Trends to Watch in 2026 and Beyond
In the coming years, agri warehousing will no longer remain a passive cog in the agricultural value chain, it will be the backbone of India's post-harvest economy. Once seen purely as a storage solution, warehousing is evolving into a dynamic platform where farmers, financiers, and markets converge. As we look towards 2026 and beyond, several trends point to a future where warehouses play a central role in enhancing farmer incomes, strengthening food systems, and building climate resilience.
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Blue Economy Rising: Fisheries Take Centre Stage
On February 1, 2026, when Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Union Budget 2026-27, fisheries stood out as a sector of strategic focus. Once viewed as peripheral, it now underpins rural incomes, nutritional security, and export expansion, with output and overseas earnings doubling over the past decade. The Budget underscores a clear shift-transforming fisheries from a subsistence-based activity into a competitive, value-led growth driver through policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and deeper market integration across coastal and inland ecosystems.
7 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches AI- based 'Bharat VISTAAR' Phase 1 in Rajasthan
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the 'Bharat VISTAAR' scheme in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
1 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Fisheries Ministry approves Rs 199.24 Cr for Smart & Integrated Fishing Harbour in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, has approved the proposal of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for the \"Development of Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder at an estimated cost of Rs 199.24 crore with 100 per cent Central Financial Assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
1 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Centre strengthens multi-layered safety net for onion farmers amid price volatility
As onion price fluctuations continue to affect both producers and consumers, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has reinforced a comprehensive framework aimed at protecting onion farmers from distress sales while stabilising retail markets.
1 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Tamil Nadu unveils comprehensive Urban Greening Policy to reclaim cities, combat climate risk and restore ecological balance
In a decisive policy shift that repositions environmental planning at the heart of urban development, the government of Tamil Nadu has unveiled its Urban Greening Policy, a comprehensive framework designed to transform cities into climate-resilient, ecologically balanced, and socially equitable spaces.
1 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Pulses at the Centre of India-US Trade Friction
India has imposed a 30 per cent tariff on certain pulses, particularly yellow peas, imported from the US. The measure, which came into effect in late 2025, has been criticised by US lawmakers as unfair and detrimental to American farmers. However, Indian farmers have welcomed the decision, with the Government of India clearly stating that the move is aimed at protecting their interests. It remains unclear whether the tariff will ultimately benefit India's pulses growers.
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
US Tariff Verdict Deepens Uncertainty Over India-US Trade Pact
The India—US trade deal has slipped into uncertainty following the US Supreme Court verdict against President Donald Trump’s tariff regime and the conflicting claims emerging from both sides. While India has officially said it is studying the implications of the judgment, informal remarks from some quarters suggest that New Delhi may now be liable to pay only the newly announced universal 10 per cent tariff instead of the earlier 18 per cent. Yet Trump has publicly asserted that “nothing has changed.”
2 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
The Agri Reset : No Sops. Just Strategy
When Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27, agriculture did not come wrapped in big-ticket sops or headline reforms. Instead, it carried a quieter but more meaningful shift. With an allocation of around Rs 1.63 lakh crore, the focus moves from merely shielding farmers through subsidies to helping them earn more through productivity, diversification, and better market access. Building on last year's stabilisation efforts, the Budget backs AI-driven advisories, high-value crops, stronger post-harvest systems, aquaculture competitiveness, and women-led rural enterprises. Targeted steps-like easing Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on tendu leaves-address grassroots realities. The signal is clear: empower farmers not just to survive uncertainty, but to participate confidently in a modern, value-driven agricultural economy.
8 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Why Animal Feed Is India's Next Big Agritech Bet
The most strategic agritech opportunity in India today lies not in digitisation or automation, but in animal agriculture — the fastest-growing segment of the farm economy. Over the past decade, aquaculture has grown at 14 per cent annually and dairy at 5.7 per cent, far outpacing conventional crops at 2.1 per cent CAGR. Livestock now contributes 31 per cent of agricultural GVA and plays a critical role in boosting farm incomes across states. At the heart of this growth story is one pivotal input: feed. Once treated as a cost component, feed is now emerging as the key driver of productivity, resilience, and sustainability in India's next phase of agritech innovation.
3 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Reshaping agricultural policies through Farmers Health Capital Theory
Accounting for the hidden health costs of labour-intensive farming is essential to ensure agricultural policies and prices truly support the wellbeing and livelihoods of those who feed the nation.
2 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
Can Chhattisgarh Build Its Own Herbal Economy?
Chhattisgarh has vast medicinal biodiversity but captures limited economic value because most processing and branding occur outside the state. To move beyond being a raw material supplier, it must develop an integrated herbal industry with local processing, organised cultivation and strong policy coordination to retain value and achieve industrial growth.
7 min |
AgroSpectrum India March 2026
AgroSpectrum
How AI Is Rewiring Decision-Making Across Indian Agriculture
For decades, Indian agriculture has lived with uncertainty as a structural condition—of weather, markets, prices, and outcomes. Decisions were shaped as much by intuition as by information, and risk was absorbed almost entirely by those closest to the soil. That equilibrium is now being quietly but decisively rewritten. Artificial intelligence, once confined to pilots and proof-of-concepts, has crossed a threshold. It is no longer an experiment in agriculture—it is becoming infrastructure.
7 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Rewriting the Rules for Farm Inputs
India’s agricultural reform agenda is entering a crucial moment. After decades of relying on outdated, paper-based regulation, the government is now signalling a decisive shift towards technology-driven transparency and accountability.
2 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
"India should move toward productivity-linked livestock insurance–but only through a phased, data-anchored evolution"
As livestock becomes an increasingly critical pillar of rural incomes amid climate and market uncertainties, the lack of effective risk protection remains a major gap in India’s agricultural policy landscape. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Ritesh Chauhan, Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Government of Himachal Pradesh, explains why advances in digital identification, veterinary networks, cooperatives, and fintech now make a scalable livestock insurance framework both viable and essential. Drawing from Himachal Pradesh’s on-ground experience, he shares practical insights on building trust, improving claim settlement, and strengthening insurer participation. Edited excerpts:
7 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Why 2026 Could Be a Turning Point for India's Aquaculture Sector
India's aquaculture sector is entering a decisive phase of transformation, driven by rising domestic demand, strong export growth and sustained policy support. As the world's second-largest aquaculture producer, contributing nearly 8 per cent of global fish output, India has achieved remarkable gains in production, productivity and economic value. However, escalating input costs, climate stress and disease risks are testing the limits of conventional practices. The next stage of growth will depend on adopting sustainable, resilient approaches that improve feed efficiency, diversify farmed species and strengthen climate adaptation across production systems.
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
How Integrated Sugarcane-based Industries are Driving Sustainable Growth, Ethanol Output & Rural Transformation
Sugarcane is called the \"green gold\" of agriculture, and indeed, this crop has historically been vital to the prosperity of rural communities. This versatile crop, esteemed for its production of sugar, jaggery, and khansari, is now at the forefront of a transformative movement. In fact, this transformation is leveraging the crop's immense potential. Utilising its agricultural strengths, India, recognised as the second-largest producer of sugarcane globally, is addressing multiple critical issues of our time, including climate change, energy security, and rural development. The area designated for sugarcane cultivation has grown to over 5.4 million hectares, with yearly outputs exceeding 400 million metric tonnes. As a result, sugarcane has evolved beyond being just a crop; it has emerged as a catalyst for change.
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
AgroSpectrum to host 2nd edition of Technovate 2026 on March 12-13 in Vashi
After the successful completion of its first edition, AgroSpectrum is again ready for its second edition of AgroSpectrum Technovate 2026 on 12 and 13th March 2026 with the theme \"Transforming Agriculture with Innovation and Technology\" at CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
1 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Boosting turmeric supply chain initiatives
India leads the global turmeric supply chain, being the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric. The major turmeric export markets for the country are Bangladesh, the UAE, and the US. It accounts for over 62 per cent of the market, with its supply chain spanning cultivation in key states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bihar. This yellow spice from the Curcuma longa plant serves as both a culinary staple and a traditional remedy with anti-inflammatory properties. Though India is one of the largest producers of turmeric, the country imports a substantial amount from other countries. Erratic climatic conditions, value addition, product innovation and product development appear weaker, leading to a shortfall in output. Proper strategies should be in place to boost turmeric production and the supply chain. Let's dig deeper.
5 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
"Our technology bridges scientific precision with farmer knowledge, creating a system that is scalable, future-ready, and capable of transforming agriculture at scale"
As climate volatility reshapes Indian agriculture, digital intelligence is emerging as a critical resilience tool. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Ajay Shelke of WOTR explains how FarmPrecise applies AI and hyperlocal weather data to deliver field-level advisories and evolve into a farmer-centric digital operating system for climate-vulnerable regions. Edited experts;
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
How AI is Reimagining Agriculture in India
Agriculture remains central to India's economy, contributing to GDP and employing nearly half the workforce, but it faces challenges such as fragmented landholdings, monsoon dependence and resource inefficiencies. Technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), is emerging as a key enabler alongside policy support. AI-driven tools like satellite imagery, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and data analytics are strengthening precision farming through yield forecasting, risk mapping and micro-climate prediction. Focusing on the current Rabi season, this analysis draws on pilot initiatives to examine how AI is improving efficiency and profitability while addressing accessibility challenges for small and marginal farmers.
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
“Policymakers can make climate-smart farming viable by creating incentives that are practical and profitable.”
UPL, with its presence in over 140 countries, has recently launched its global campaign #AFarmerCan. Jai Shroff, Chairman and Group CEO, UPL Group, in an interaction with AgroSpectrum, elaborates on how UPL is advocating stronger financial and institutional mechanisms that reward sustainable practices and build long-term resilience. Edited excerpts;
4 min |