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India-US Trade Deal in Final Stages; Hopes Rest on Tariff ConcessionsNew Delhi: The proposed trade agreement between India and the United States appears to be reaching its final stages. However, its success will depend largely on the relief India receives regarding the US's Section 301 investigation and the potential tariff measures associated with it. This information was provided by a source within the Indian government on Monday.A US delegation, led by Brendan Lynch—the US Assistant Trade Representative for South and Central Asian Affairs—will hold three days of talks with Indian officials in New Delhi starting Tuesday. During these discussions, both sides will address pending issues related to the trade agreement.India and the US had reached an agreement on a preliminary trade deal in February; however, the pace of negotiations subsequently slowed down due to tariff measures imposed by US President Donald Trump and related legal developments. Following this, the US administration initiated an investigation into the trade policies of several countries—including India—under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, and subsequently imposed a uniform tariff of 10 percent.According to the Indian source, New Delhi intends to discuss the potential tariff implications arising from this investigation and seek relief. India's objective is to secure competitive tariff rates that would provide it with an edge over other Asian manufacturing hubs.The source stated that if the proposed terms are fair, balanced, and aligned with the interests of both parties, the agreement could be finalized. India is hopeful that it will secure a more favorable tariff regime compared to regional competitors such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.According to sources, US Deputy Trade Representative Jamieson Greer may visit India once the framework of the agreement has been established. This is being viewed as a sign of the growing progress between the two nations.Last week, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor stated that a trade agreement between the two countries is likely to be concluded within the coming weeks or months.read more :- Indian Rupee Opens 6 Paise Lower Against US Dollar at 95.05

The Rupee opened 6 paise lower at 95.05 against the USD.On Tuesday, the Indian Rupee opened 6 paise lower against the Dollar at 95.05, whereas it had closed at 94.99 on Monday.READ MORE :- Cotton Sowing Begins in Kutch Ahead of Monsoon

Gujarat (Bhuj): Pre-Monsoon Agricultural Preparations Intensify; Cotton Sowing Begins in Irrigated AreasOnly a few days now remain until the official onset of the monsoon. Consequently, farmers in the Kutch district have accelerated their preparations for the Kharif season. In irrigated areas, farmers have already commenced the sowing of cotton, while those engaged in rain-fed farming have completed the tasks of plowing and land preparation. Now, all eyes are fixed on the timely arrival of the monsoon rains.Kutch is known for its geographical disparities and relatively low rainfall. Despite this, agriculture is undertaken on a large scale across the district during the monsoon season. Primarily, crops are sown here that are well-adapted to the local soil conditions and the region's unpredictable climatic patterns.In addition to cash crops such as groundnut and cotton, the district also witnesses the extensive cultivation of Guar, Pearl Millet (Bajra), Sorghum (Jowar), and Castor. Furthermore, short-duration pulse crops—such as Moong, Moth, and Urad—remain a preferred choice among farmers, as they play a vital role in maintaining soil fertility.Amidst the anticipation of the monsoon, agricultural markets in Bhuj, Anjar, Bhachau, Nakhatrana, and Mandvi have become bustling with activity. Farmers are procuring high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and crop protection products from government depots and private vendors, clearly reflecting their enthusiasm for the upcoming sowing season.Agricultural experts believe that if the monsoon arrives on time this year and the rainfall distribution remains balanced, the sowing of Kharif crops in Kutch will proceed rapidly, and farmers can look forward to the prospect of a bountiful harvest.read more :- Textile Stocks Jump After Cotton Import Duty Waiver

Textile Stocks Rally Sharply Following Temporary Exemption on Cotton Import DutyShares of textile and apparel companies witnessed a significant surge during early trading on Monday. This rally followed the Central Government's announcement of a temporary exemption on customs duty levied on cotton imports. The move aims to enhance the availability of raw materials and provide relief to the domestic textile industry.In a notification issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Finance stated that all customs duties applicable to cotton imports have been waived for the period spanning from June 1, 2026, to October 30, 2026. Previously, an effective duty of 11% was applicable to imported cotton. Under the new regime, cotton imports will remain completely duty-free for the next five months.According to the government, this decision was taken at a time when cotton prices in the domestic market remain at elevated levels. The removal of import duties is expected to boost cotton availability and provide relief to textile and apparel manufacturers who rely on imported cotton. This is likely to result in reduced production costs and improved operating margins for these entities.Investors welcomed the government's announcement positively, leading to strong buying activity in the shares of several textile companies. In early trading, shares of Vardhman Textiles climbed nearly 6%, while Arvind surged 6.44% to hit its 52-week high on the National Stock Exchange.Furthermore, Nitin Spinners recorded a gain of 5.53%, and Himatsingka Seide rose by nearly 5%. Shares of Welspun Living, Trident, and Gokaldas Exports strengthened by approximately 4%. Meanwhile, KPR Mill saw a rise of 2.2%, while Kitex Garments and Pearl Global Industries gained around 2%. Shares of Kewal Kiran Clothing remained relatively stable.The Ministry of Finance believes that this temporary duty exemption will help reduce input costs across the entire value chain of the textile and apparel sector. This is expected to provide relief to both manufacturers and consumers, while also seeking to strike a balance with the interests of domestic cotton producers.The Ministry stated that improved cotton availability will enhance the competitiveness of the domestic textile industry. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in particular, are likely to benefit from this, as they will receive relief on both the fronts of raw material supply and costs.read more :- India Waives Cotton Import Duty Until October 2026

Government Waives Customs Duty on Cotton Imports Until October 30, 2026In a significant boost for India's textile sector, the Government of India has announced a complete exemption from customs duties on cotton imports for a five-month period, from June 1, 2026, to October 30, 2026.According to a notification issued by the Finance Ministry, the temporary duty waiver is aimed at improving the availability of cotton for domestic textile manufacturers and easing raw material costs across the industry. The move is expected to benefit the entire textile and apparel value chain by reducing input expenses, enhancing production efficiency, and supporting business growth. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form a large part of India's textile ecosystem, are likely to gain significantly from improved access to cotton at competitive prices.The government stated that the measure has been carefully designed to strengthen the textile industry's competitiveness while balancing the interests of domestic cotton farmers. By ensuring adequate cotton supply in the market, the exemption is expected to support stable production and contribute positively to the sector's overall performance. read more :- Indian Rupee Opens 3 Paise Stronger Against US Dollar at 94.97

State-wise CCI Cotton Sales Details – 2025-26 SeasonThe Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) decreases its cotton candy prices by upto ₹2,300 per candy during this week . CCI has sold approximately 70,34,500 cotton bales for the 2025-26 season. Sales are highly concentrated in a few major cotton-producing states, Maharashtra, Telangana and Gujarat emerging as the leading contributors.

The Rupee opened 3 paise stronger at 94.97 against the USD.On Monday, the Indian Rupee opened 3 paise stronger against the Dollar at 94.97, whereas it had closed at 95.00 on Friday.Read More:-Amravati Division Pushes High-Density Cotton Farming

Promoting High-Density Cotton Cultivation in Amravati DivisionIndications suggest that farmers in the Amravati division are increasingly inclined towards cotton cultivation this year, driven by the favorable market prices received for cotton during the previous Kharif season. With this in mind, high-density cotton cultivation will be promoted across all five districts of the Amravati division—Amravati, Akola, Washim, Buldhana, and Yavatmal—to boost cotton production. Divisional Joint Director of Agriculture, Ganesh Ghorpade, stated that a special campaign would be launched for this purpose, in collaboration with the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), agricultural universities, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Agricultural Science Centers).This information was shared during a Kharif review meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Nayana Gunde. District Collectors and agriculture officials from all the concerned districts participated in the meeting online. During the session, emphasis was placed on fostering better coordination between the Revenue and Agriculture departments to ensure the success of the Kharif season.On average, cotton is cultivated across an area of 10 lakh hectares annually in the Amravati division. The Agriculture Department estimates that, due to the surge in cotton prices witnessed at the end of the previous season, a significant number of farmers may prioritize cotton cultivation over soybeans this year.To enhance production, intensive farming methods—which yield higher output from a smaller land area—will be promoted. Under this initiative, special attention will be given to the use of improved seeds, balanced fertilizer management, effective pest control, and the adoption of modern agricultural techniques.The meeting also featured discussions regarding the innovations being implemented in the agricultural sector by the Washim district administration. District Superintending Agriculture Officer Arif Shah presented details of the '9M' model, which encompasses nine key components: Manpower, Motivation, Finance, Marketing, Monitoring, Management, Machinery, Methodology, and Materials. The objective of this model is to promote smart sowing techniques.The 'Vatsagulam Smart Sowing Competition,' organized last year, had received an encouraging response from the farming community. 32,335 farmers participated in the competition, and smart sowing technology was adopted across an area of over 1.36 lakh acres. The Department of Agriculture expects that this initiative will receive widespread support this year as well.read more:- CCI Cuts Cotton Prices by ₹2,300, Resumes Sales

CCI Resumes Cotton Sales; Cuts Prices by ₹2,300 Per CandyThe Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) on Friday resumed the sale of cotton procured during the 2025-26 season. In light of the softening prices in the global market, the organization also reduced its cotton selling price by ₹2,300 per candy (356 kg). Despite this move, market response remained below expectations, with buying activity observed only at limited levels.According to trade sources, even after the price reduction, the CCI managed to sell only about 1,200 bales of cotton on Friday. Of this quantity, approximately 800 bales were purchased by spinning mills, while the remainder was acquired by traders and resellers. This marks the second instance in recent days that the CCI has lowered its prices; just last week, the organization had implemented a reduction of ₹700 per candy. Citing technical reasons, the CCI had temporarily suspended its sales on May 22.Market experts believe that, despite the price cuts, buyers continue to maintain a cautious stance. According to Ramanuj Das Boob, a sourcing agent based in Raichur, a price imbalance persists even at current levels. Buyers are adopting a "wait-and-watch" strategy, while weak yarn prices are also impacting the purchasing capacity of the mills.The recent softening in the global cotton market compelled the CCI to revise its pricing. ICE cotton futures—which had surged from early February to reach 88 cents per pound on May 11—have now retreated to hover around 76 cents per pound. Improved weather outlooks in the US and Brazil, coupled with a decline in crude oil prices, are considered the primary factors driving this market softness. Consequently, private resellers have been observed selling cotton at rates approximately ₹2,000 per candy lower than the CCI's prices. The CCI procured approximately 10.5 million bales of cotton during the 2025-26 season, the majority of which has already been sold. It is estimated that the corporation currently holds a remaining stock of approximately 3.2 million bales. Meanwhile, the Central Government has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton by ₹557 per quintal for the 2026-27 marketing season. Consequently, the MSP has been fixed at ₹8,267 per quintal for medium-staple cotton and ₹8,667 per quintal for long-staple cotton. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and assessments by industry bodies, the area under cotton cultivation is expected to increase by approximately 7 percent during the upcoming Kharif season, driven by expectations of better prices.read more :- Jalna Sees Drop in Cotton, Soybean Productivity; Maize Performs Better

Kharif 2025: Cotton and Soybean Productivity Drops in Jalna; Maize Shows Stronger PerformanceAgricultural statistics for the Kharif 2025 season in Jalna district reveal a decline in the productivity of key crops—cotton and soybean. According to the Department of Agriculture, the area under cotton cultivation has shrunk to 278,924 hectares. Concurrently, its productivity was recorded at 278.212 kilograms per hectare—a figure considered a significant decrease compared to the previous year.The situation regarding soybeans was somewhat different. While the area under its cultivation expanded to reach 212,404 hectares, productivity stood at a mere 1,274.993 kilograms per hectare. This clearly indicates that, despite the increase in acreage, production capacity failed to reach expected levels.In contrast, maize delivered a stronger performance this season. The area under its cultivation rose to 57,345 hectares, and productivity was recorded at 2,993.573 kilograms per hectare—a figure exceeding the district's average level.Arhar (Pigeon Pea) was cultivated across an area of 50,849 hectares, yielding a productivity of 1,130.625 kilograms per hectare. This marks an improvement compared to the previous year. In 2024, the average acreage for Arhar was 53,346.18 hectares; however, actual sowing took place across 49,990 hectares, with productivity recorded at 1,021.333 kilograms per hectare.Crops such as Moong, Urad, and Bajra yielded mixed results. The area under Bajra cultivation continues to shrink steadily; while 6,743 hectares were sown in 2024, this figure dropped to just 3,263 hectares in the subsequent season. The acreage for Urad is also on a downward trend, although its productivity has been recorded at levels above the average. Agricultural experts believe that erratic rainfall, changing weather patterns, rising production costs, and the potential impact of El Niño have affected the performance of Kharif crops. According to the Meteorological Department, the monsoon is currently stalled over Sri Lanka, which has heightened the concerns of farmers.read more :- Telangana Farmers Gear Up for Cotton Sowing Season

Telangana: Preparations for Cotton Sowing Intensify Ahead of JuneHyderabad: Farmers in Telangana have accelerated their preparations for the cultivation of cotton—often referred to as "white gold." According to agricultural experts, the month of June is considered the most suitable time for sowing cotton, while the crop typically becomes ready for harvest by October or November. By ensuring adequate rainfall, utilizing improved seed varieties, and adopting appropriate farming techniques, farmers can achieve higher yields and greater profitability.Cotton ranks among the major cash crops in Telangana, and thousands of farmers rely on its cultivation for their livelihood. This Kharif season crop is sown in June, coinciding with the arrival of the first monsoon showers. Experts note that while the primary sowing window spans from June through the first week of July, preparatory activities commence as early as April and May. During this preparatory phase, farmers engage in deep plowing of their fields to enhance soil moisture retention and water-holding capacity, as well as to minimize the impact of pests.Agricultural scientists are advising farmers to prepare their fields in a timely manner, apply balanced fertilizers, and select high-quality seeds. Furthermore, emphasis is being placed on the need for special attention to irrigation and pest control measures to safeguard the crop from potential damage during its critical early stages of growth.A cotton crop typically matures within a period of 150 to 180 days. Following sowing in June—and with proper care, fertilization, and irrigation—the fields become blanketed in white cotton by October or November. It is at this juncture that the first round of harvesting begins, serving as a primary source of income for the farmers.Cotton is widely regarded as the backbone of Telangana's economy. It not only serves as a major source of income for farmers but also provides a robust foundation for the state's agro-based industries. In years of bountiful yields, this crop further stimulates economic prosperity and generates employment opportunities across rural regions.read more :- Cotton Acreage Seen Rising as Prices Jump 25%