Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Rural Development announced on 23 October 2026 the launch of an upgraded National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app to record attendance for the VB-G RAM G scheme. Developed with IIT Madras, the app uses AI-based face verification and device security to prevent fraudulent wage claims, while allowing offline recording in areas without network access.
- Who it affects
- rural workers
- When · Where
- By 1 December 2027: creation of 11 crore Farmer IDs (+2 more) · all rural areas
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Rural Development
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
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- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 23 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare announced on 23 October 2026 that the ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT) signed an agreement with M/s. Trust ARS Rubber Private Limited on 22 October 2026.
- Who it affects
- cotton farmers and agricultural workers
- When · Where
- On 22 October 2026: signing of the MoU · Across India
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 23 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare announced on 22 October 2026 that Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched the nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ in Karnal, Haryana. The campaign encourages farmers to use fertilisers scientifically based on Soil Health Cards rather than imitating others to reduce costs and protect soil fertility.
- Who it affects
- farmers
- When · Where
- On 22 October 2026: launch of Khet Bachao Abhiyan and Kisan Chaupal · Across Haryana
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
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- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 22 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare announced on 22 October 2026 the launch of the 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan', a nationwide campaign to protect soil health. From 22 October to 30 November 2026, scientists and officials will visit villages to encourage farmers to use balanced fertilisers based on Soil Health Cards, rotate crops, and adopt natural farming.
- Who it affects
- eligible poor families
- When · Where
- From 22 October 2026: nationwide public awareness campaign (+1 more) · Haryana
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 22 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reported on 22 October 2026 the highlights of the second day of the AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026. The event focused on combining solar power generation with agriculture to optimize land use and increase farmer income.
- Who it affects
- agrivoltaic project sites
- When · Where
- Until 1 January 2030: Odisha's agrivoltaic target of 1 GW (+1 more) · Odisha
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
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- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 22 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare announced on 21 October 2026 the launch of the nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan- Rabi 2026’ campaign. Running from 22 October to 30 November 2026, the initiative aims to educate farmers on balanced fertilizer use, soil health, and crop diversification.
- Who it affects
- farmers
- When · Where
- From 22 October 2026: Khet Bachao Abhiyan- Rabi 2026 campaign (+2 more) · nationwide
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 21 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced on 21 October 2026 that it is hosting the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The three-day event focuses on agrivoltaics, which is the dual use of land for both food production and solar energy generation to increase farmer incomes and climate resilience.
- Who it affects
- Not stated in the document
- When · Where
- On 21 October 2026: commencement of the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference (AWC) 2026 · Across India
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 21 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare announced on 21 October 2026 the inauguration of the three-day AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026. The government will launch an ambitious agrivoltaic programme under the next phase of the PM-KUSUM scheme to help farmers generate solar power on the same land used for crops.
- Who it affects
- farmers
- When · Where
- On 21 October 2026: inauguration of AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 (+1 more) · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 21 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on 19 October 2026 that the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will enter into force on 20 October 2026. The agreement provides 100% duty-free access to the New Zealand market for Indian goods, benefiting MSMEs, farmers, and women entrepreneurs, though sensitive items like dairy and sugar remain excluded.
- Who it affects
- Indian exporters, including MSMEs, artisans, farmers, and women entrepreneurs; Indian youth and professionals
- When · Where
- From 20 October 2026: India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement entry into force (+1 more) · New Zealand
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Commerce & Industry
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 19 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare announced on 19 October 2026 the launch of the upgraded Agri Welfare Portal. This mobile-friendly platform provides farmers with a single-window gateway to access government schemes like PM-KISAN, AgriStack, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, as well as financial assistance via Direct Benefit Transfer.
- Who it affects
- farmers
- When · Where
- On 19 October 2026: launch of the upgraded Agri Welfare Portal · across the country
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 19 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying announced on 19 October 2026 that a review meeting was held to discuss the Pithoragarh Coldwater Fisheries Cluster and the future of trout farming in Himalayan states. The government has notified 34 fisheries clusters nationwide, including one in Pithoragarh, and is planning a roadmap for the next five years to address gaps in production and infrastructure.
- Who it affects
- fisheries clusters
- When · Where
- Next five years: roadmap for the Coldwater Fisheries Cluster Programme (+1 more) · across the country
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 19 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying announced on 18 October 2026 that Union Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi visited Munsyari, Uttarakhand, to review coldwater aquaculture. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the government has invested over ₹2,299 crore in six hilly states and UTs to support infrastructure like hatcheries and feed mills.
- Who it affects
- coldwater regions in six hilly states and UTs; trout farmers in Uttarakhand
- When · Where
- Until 31 March 2029: Deadline for establishing infrastructure under Trout Protsahan Yojna (+2 more) · Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 18 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI) announced on 18 October 2026 the development of biofortified coloured potato varieties, specifically highlighting Kufri jamunia. Released in 2024, this purple-fleshed potato is designed to combat "hidden hunger" by providing higher levels of Vitamin C, iron, and zinc compared to common potatoes.
- Who it affects
- farmers and consumers
- When · Where
- On 1 January 2018: release of Kufri Neelkanth (+2 more) · North Indian plains
Source details
- Issued by
- PIB Backgrounder
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 18 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced on 17 October 2026 that the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed Rs 1.19 crore to 29 State Biodiversity Boards and one Union Territory Biodiversity Council. These funds, collected from companies using agricultural biological resources like maize, rice, pearl millet, and cotton, are intended for biodiversity conservation and community welfare.
- Who it affects
- State Biodiversity Boards and the Union Territory Biodiversity Council
- When · Where
- On 19 October 2026: seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 17) · Several states
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 17 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced on 17 October 2026 that a high-level team from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) visited Firozpur and Faridkot districts. The team reviewed the use of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery and the monitoring of hotspot villages to prevent paddy stubble burning during the current harvesting season.
- Who it affects
- district administrations
- When · Where
- On 17 October 2026: CAQM team visit to Firozpur and Faridkot · Firozpur and Faridkot
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 17 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced on 17 October 2026 a draft amendment to prohibit the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products for infants up to six months old. This measure aims to reduce early exposure to added sugars to prevent childhood obesity and support healthy growth.
- Who it affects
- manufacturers of infant nutrition products
- When · Where
- Within 60 days: submission of objections and suggestions from stakeholders (+1 more) · Across India
Source details
- Issued by
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 17 October 2026
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