“Cow Culture and Commerce: India’s Strategic Dairy Stand
The article by Dr P Harsha Bhargavi explores how the cow is deeply embedded in India’s culture, economy and global dairy trade dynamics. It notes that India’s reluctance to open its dairy market to major exports—particularly from the U.S.—is driven not just by economics but by a cultural value placed on indigenous breeds and dairy traditions. (…
Post-Diwali Farm Challenge: From Consumer to Producer Focus
Retail food inflation in India has turned negative for four consecutive months, ending September 2025, thanks to strong monsoons and improving supply conditions. Yet, this apparent victory for consumers masks a deepening crisis for farmers: many crops — such as maize, soyabean, cotton, millets and pulses — are trading well below their Minimum Support Prices…
Maize Market Prices Fall Far Below MSP Despite Ethanol Push
Despite a ~12 % jump in maize cultivation (surpassing 9.5 million ha) driven by the government’s ethanol-blending push, farmers are collapsing under sharply low market prices. In Madhya Pradesh, maize is selling at model prices of ₹1,140–1,400/ quintal, while the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) is set at ₹2,400/ quintal for 2025-26 — a gap…
FM Pushes Dairy Makers to Pass GST Cuts to Consumers
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged dairy manufacturers to actively engage in reducing retail prices of ghee, butter, and cheese, ensuring that consumers fully benefit from the recent GST rate reductions. The government emphasized that any cut in GST should directly reflect in market prices, preventing price retention at the manufacturer or distributor level. Watch…
India must launch a “Green Fodder Revolution
India’s dairy sector, the world’s largest, is facing a silent crisis—an acute shortage of green fodder that threatens the productivity and profitability of millions of livestock farmers. As the country contributes nearly a quarter of global milk output, the gap between feed availability and demand could soon undercut its growth story. According to estimates, India…
Nestlé Q2: Revenue Rises, Profit Slips on Cost Surge
Nestlé India’s Q2 FY26 results reflect a classic growth-versus-cost tug of war. While revenue climbed ~10.6% YoY to ₹5,643.6 crore, net profit fell ~17.4% to ₹743.2 crore, as input costs and expenses surged. Domestic sales reached ₹5,411 crore, marking the highest ever quarterly domestic revenue for the company. The dip in profit is partly due…
Iconic Sweet Shops Keep India’s Mithai Heritage Alive
India’s packaged sweets market is now valued at ₹7,268 crore, seeing a steep surge in demand during festive seasons such as Diwali and New Year. ([Daily Jagran][1]) But beyond numbers, it’s the enduring legacy of India’s oldest sweet shops that continues to captivate taste buds and hearts. Bhagat Halwai in Agra, founded in 1795 by…
Abbott’s Project Ksheersagar Boosts Dairy Yields
Global healthcare company Abbott, in partnership with TechnoServe India, has launched Project Ksheersagar to strengthen India’s local milk supply chain and empower small dairy farmers. The initiative has helped 12,000 farmers raise milk yields by 55% while cutting veterinary costs by 60%. Operating across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, the project has already…
Heritage Foods decline in Q2 profit on higher milk costs
Heritage Foods reported a 5% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to ₹50.99 crore for Q2 FY25, supported by steady revenue growth but constrained by higher input costs. Total income grew to ₹1,112.5 crore, up from ₹1,019.5 crore in the same quarter last year, while total expenses increased nearly 11% to ₹1,059.2 crore, narrowing operating…
Dairy Alternatives and changing Consumer Health Trends
Traditional dairy products have a special importance in Indian traditions, culture and daily lifestyle. However, rising health awareness, global food trends, and higher disposable incomes are shifting consumer preferences towards healthier alternatives. This changing demand, along with the easy availability of plant-based dairy alternatives, has boosted growth in the emerging sector. Urban areas, particularly metro…