Under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, a group of women from Assam’s Morigaon district and two young entrepreneurs from Deepor Beel are transforming the invasive water hyacinth plant into eco-friendly products. Water Hyacinth features attractive purple flowers but has become a problematic weed.

These women earn sustainable incomes by crafting handicrafts, while the entrepreneurs created a venture called Kumbhi Kagaz, producing biodegradable paper. These initiatives provide green jobs, support local communities, and contribute to environmental sustainability, turning a harmful weed into valuable products.

Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by agrikunba.

Stellapps, an innovative Indian dairy tech startup, has secured $26 million to expand its sustainable dairy initiatives, specifically its ‘mooMark’ brand, which emphasizes high-quality, traceable products. Backed by major investors like the US International Development Finance Corporation, Stellapps helps over 3.5 million farmers in 42,000 villages manage milk quality and incomes through technology. By handling up to 14 million liters of milk each day, Stellapps aims to boost sustainable dairy practices in India and beyond, making a positive impact on rural livelihoods. The round saw participation from existing investors Blume Ventures, Omnivore, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others.

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Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, inaugurated a workshop at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi to prepare States and Union Territories (UTs) for the upcoming 21st Livestock Census. During the event, a new mobile application designed for data collection in the census was launched. The workshop emphasized precise planning and execution, recognizing the vital role of the livestock sector in strengthening India’s economy and food security.

The census, scheduled from September to December 2024, aims to provide essential data for future strategies and address sector challenges. Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and…

Union Minister for Textiles, Giriraj Singh Inaugurates 71st India International Garment Fair, Emphasizes World-Class Manufacturing for "Make in India" with “Zero Effect; Zero Defect” Vision.

Singh highlighted the Indian apparel and textiles market, currently valued at $165 billion, with a target to reach $350 billion. The Prime Minister’s roadmap for promoting technical fiber and geotextile offers significant growth opportunities. Singh emphasized the need to surpass China in the textiles sector, noting rising water and raw material costs in Bangladesh.

He revealed that the government has approved a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme worth over ₹10,000 crore. Initially designed for textiles, the…

In Photo: Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India Smt. Roop Rashi and CMD, Cotton Corporation of India Ltd. Shri Lalit Kumar Gupta

In the third meeting of the Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption (COCPC) for the Cotton Season 2023-24, held under the chairperson ship of Textile Commissioner Smt. Roop Rashi, several key points emerged. The textile industry can expect sufficient raw material availability, and this year’s cotton consumption ranks as the second-highest in the past decade. Additionally, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has introduced QR code traceability for every bale, enhancing transparency and quality. Let’s delve…

The Government of India has taken a crucial step to manage food security and curb hoarding by imposing stock limits on wheat. This measure applies to traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, and processors across all states and union territories. Effective from June 24, 2024, until March 31, 2025, the stock limits are as follows:

• Traders/Wholesalers: 3000 MT

• Retailers: 10 MT for each retail outlet

• Big Chain Retailers: 10 MT per outlet and 3000 MT at all their depots

• Processors: 70% of Monthly Installed Capacity (MIC) multiplied by the remaining months of FY 2024-25.

Entities falling under these categories must…

In a commendable initiative, the Krishi Mangal Accelerator, supported by Cisco India CSR and powered by Social Alpha, has championed 7 in-revenue Agri-tech startups during its second edition. These startups received comprehensive support to scale their technologies, focusing on soil testing and rejuvenation, water and crop management, and allied services. The program provided grant funding, piloting opportunities, go-to-market assistance, fundraising guidance, technology refinement, and expert mentorship. Let’s delve into some of the remarkable startups:

1. Proximal Soilsens: Developed the world’s tiniest, user-friendly soil testing system called ‘NutriSens.’ With program support, they expanded operations in Maharashtra, building B2B channel partners and enhancing…

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Kharif Crops during the Marketing Season 2024-25. The objective is to ensure remunerative prices for farmers. Notably, the highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year is recommended for oilseeds and pulses, with nigerseed seeing a rise of Rs. 983 per quintal, followed by sesamum (Rs. 632 per quintal) and tur/arhar (Rs. 550 per quintal).

The increase aligns with the Union Budget 2018-19’s commitment to set MSP at least 1.5 times the All-India weighted average cost…

Jaipur-based agritech startup Balwaan Krishi has successfully raised INR 40 Crore (approximately $4.8 million) as part of its Series A funding round. The investment comes from JM Financial Private Equity, the private equity arm of JM Financial Ltd. Balwaan Krishi plans to utilize the fresh capital to develop new products and establish a robust distribution network across India.

This funding injection is a significant milestone for the startup, enabling it to expand its operations and enhance its offerings in the agricultural sector. Balwaan Krishi aims to address critical challenges faced by farmers through innovative solutions, leveraging technology to improve productivity,…

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has introduced a new distance education program: the Master of Business Administration in Agribusiness Management (MBAABM). This initiative, led by the School of Agriculture, aims to cultivate proficient business professionals who can enhance the agricultural business sector and improve farmers’ economic conditions.

The MBAABM program spans two years, with an option to extend up to four years for completion. It is open to graduates from any field. The curriculum focuses on equipping students with managerial skills and need-based education to increase efficiency, profitability, and livelihood opportunities in the agriculture sector. By fostering entrepreneurship…