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Bangladesh Political Crisis Threatens Its Textile Industry; India Poised To Gains

Dhaka/New Delhi, August 8, 2024 - Bangladesh, renowned for its robust textile sector, is facing an unprecedented political crisis that threatens to disrupt its vital clothing export industry. The country's monthly apparel export, valued at $3.5-3.8 billion, constitutes a significant portion of its economy, with substantial shares in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and a 10% market share in the United States. The ongoing political turmoil, marked by the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid massive anti-government protests and the subsequent takeover by an interim government led by Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, has put the textile sector in jeopardy. This crisis comes at a time when Bangladesh was expected to surpass $50 billion in annual exports in 2024, up from around $47 billion in 2023. Impact on the Global Textile Market International buyers, particularly textile importers, are closely monitoring the situation and are beginning to shift their foc

India Paddy 2024: Weather Risk Susceptible

The current water deficit situation affecting paddy crops in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, UP, and Punjab, and its potential impact on rice yield. Despite an increase in sowing percentage compared to the previous year, deficient rainfall poses a serious threat to paddy production. The critical stages of rice growth, particularly the reproductive stage, are highly sensitive to water stress, which could result in significant yield losses if conditions do not improve. Current Situation Government data indicates that sowing of paddy crops has increased in the current year compared to 2023. Department of agriculture and farmers welfare However, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reports a continuing deficiency in rainfall across the affected states. This water deficit could adversely impact rice yields due to the crop's sensitivity to moisture stress at various growth stages. Rainfall Deviation from Long Term Average 01 June to 04 August 2024 Currently Paddy is in

Paddy 2024 Good Monsoon does not transform to good production

While all reports of excessive rains and recent landslides point a rosy monsoon pictures ground realities look different. Sowing data of paddy shows higher acreage in major growing area in UP, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, and West Bengal, which together account for 51.84 % of total paddy production. Department of agriculture and farmers welfare Actual rainfall in these areas have been lower than long term average of rainfall. Rainfall Deviation from Long Term Average 01 June to 04 August 2024 Conclusion Though it is too premature to hazard a guess in eventual production, it is very likely that in those 5 states the production of Paddy in 2024 will be lower. For more accurate weather forecast of your location and its effect on your crops download Fasal Salah App https://goo.gl/5Yu1u9

Maize as Fuel of Future

Ethanol as Fuel Government has set an ambitious target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025. This is a significant move to cut down the crude import which contribute to 25% of total import in terms of value in India. As of June this year, the national average for ethanol blending was 13%, an increase from previous year of 12.1% in 2022-23 and 10% in 2021-22. The blending ratios is reaching to nearly 16% by June 2024. What is important to understand that ethanol production in India initially relied predominantly molasses, a by-product of sugar production. The policy shift to include grains as supplementary feedstocks, such as maize and damaged rice, further diversifying the sources of ethanol has very prefound effect on raw material utilization for ethanol production. With government incentivise by setting a higher ex-distillery price of Rs 71.86 per liter for ethanol produced from maize, has led to the establishment of multi-feedstock distilleries, which operate on a mix o

Budget 2024-25: Focus on High-Value Agriculture

The Economic Survey has highlighted a significant shift necessary for smallholder farmers to boost their incomes. Traditionally, crops like rice, wheat, millets, pulses, and oilseeds have been the backbone of India's agricultural sector. However, the survey emphasizes the need for farmers to diversify into high-value agriculture, including the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, as well as engaging in fisheries, poultry, and dairy farming. This diversification is crucial for enhancing income levels and ensuring sustainable growth in the agricultural sector. The Need for Diversification India's agriculture sector has demonstrated robust growth, with an average rate of 4.18% over the last five years. This growth is crucial for the overall economic development of the country. Despite achieving record food grain production of 329.7 million tonnes in 2022-23, with oilseed production reaching 41.4 million tonnes, the sector's reliance on traditional crops poses limitati

Monsoon Revival Spurs Indian Farmers to Accelerate Summer Crop Planting

In a significant development for India's agricultural sector, farmers across the country have swiftly escalated their efforts to sow summer crops such as paddy, soybean, cotton, and corn. This surge in planting comes on the heels of a rejuvenated monsoon season, particularly robust during July following a deficit in June. The latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare reveals that by July 12, farmers had planted crops across 57.5 million hectares, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. Monsoon Impact and Planting Surge The monsoon, which historically contributes nearly 70% of India's rainfall, plays a crucial role in sustaining the agricultural landscape of the nation. After a delayed onset and subdued performance in June, July witnessed a remarkable turnaround with a 9% surplus in rainfall, facilitating optimal conditions for planting. This turnaround has been instrumental in mitigating the earlier concerns caused by

Decline in Fruit Production in Uttarakhand: How to restore it?

Introduction Uttarakhand, known for its rich biodiversity and favorable conditions for horticulture, has experienced a sharp decline in fruit yields over the past several years. The once thriving fruit cultivation industry, particularly of temperate fruits like apples, pears, peaches, plums, and apricots, is now grappling with significant challenges. This decline is primarily attributed to the warming climate, changing temperature patterns, and shifts in agricultural practices. Additionally, socioeconomic factors such as the younger generation's diminishing interest in agriculture and the rapid growth of the tourism industry have further compounded the issue. Impact of Warming Climate on Fruit Yields A study by Climate Trends highlights the profound impact of a warming climate on Uttarakhand's fruit production. Between 2016 - 17 and 2022 - 23, the yield and area under cultivation of major fruit crops have seen a significant decline. This trend is particularly noticeable