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India makes rare long-term soy purchases to secure cheap supplyIndian buyers have secured large purchases of soybean oil for the four months to July, a rare move in anticipation of rising prices of rival palm oil.Traders have locked in more than 150,000 tons of South American soybean oil for each month from April to July 2026, said Aashish Acharya, vice president at Patanjali Foods Ltd., one of the country’s top vegetable-oil buyers. The unusual buying was driven by soy’s average $20- to $30-a-ton discount to palm during that period, he added. Soy oil typically trades at a premium to palm oil.The rush reflects market expectations that palm prices will rise on top producer Indonesia’s plans to blend more palm oil into biofuel starting in the second half of next year. Unlike soybean, sunflower, or rapeseed oil, palm is harvested year-round and is the world’s most-abundantly available vegetable oil, which usually makes it the cheaper option.“This is a considerably huge coverage in the forward months as the market is sensing palm shortages next year due to lesser production and more usage when B50 in Indonesia is rolled out,” said Mayur Toshniwal, president and head of trading at Emami Agrotech Ltd., an Indian vegetable oil and biodiesel processor.Indian buyers have been making forward purchases of soybean oil as a hedge against Indonesia’s B50 policy, Budiman Suwardi, head of treasury and markets at Prime EcoHarvest Commodities, confirmed. “If Indonesia’s government suddenly pushed for the B50 to be implemented in the second half of next year, it might push palm prices higher due to lack of supply for exports,” he said.Indonesia, the world’s largest palm oil exporter, plans to expand its biodiesel mandate from 40% to 50% in late 2026 to cut fuel imports. The move is likely to soak up exportable supplies, tightening global markets and pushing up prices. Officials are weighing a partial rollout of B50, only for the public sector, reflecting concerns over potential supply bottlenecks.Alongside hedging against Indonesia’s biodiesel policy, traders are also bracing for potentially tighter sunflower oil supplies as poorer Black Sea and European crops threaten to curb output this season, according to Anilkumar Bagani, head of research at Mumbai-based Sunvin Group.Sunflower oil shipments from the Black Sea region are priced $230- to $250-a-ton higher than South American soybean oil for delivery in the four months through July 2026, Acharya said. He added that soybean oil cargoes for December and January are as much as $110 a ton more expensive than the forward purchases that traders have booked.Still, every ton of palm oil currently remains about $90–$100 cheaper than soybean oil, underscoring a pricing divergence and prompting cost-sensitive Indian traders to shift toward palm in the near-term, Acharya said. He added that some buyers have canceled soy oil import cargoes worth 25,000–35,000 tons as domestic prices are roughly $50 lower per ton.That means overall demand for soybean oil imports has been muted despite the winter season, said Toshniwal of Emami. Buyers prefer soy oil in colder temperatures, which cause palm oil to solidify.read more:- Eye on China purchases, Chicago soybean and wheat-corn weak

Chicago soybeans slip as traders monitor China buying; wheat, corn also down Chicago soybean futures edged lower on Monday, weighed down by ample global supplies and lingering doubts over whether top buyer China will reach the 12-million-metric-ton purchase target cited by some U.S. officials by the year-end.The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) ZS1! was down 0.4% at $11.33-1/4 a bushel, as of 0357 GMT.China started buying U.S. soybeans, wheat and sorghum after Washington and Beijing struck a trade truce in late October. The U.S. government has confirmed more than 2 million tons of soybean sales since October 30.However, the slow buying pace has raised fears that China could fall well short of the 12-million-ton target - a figure that Beijing has not confirmed.Last Thursday, agribusiness consultancy Agroconsult forecast that Brazilian farmers would harvest a record 178.1 million tons of soybeans in the 2025/26 season, marking its first estimate for the current crop.CBOT wheat ZW1! fell 0.32% to $5.36-3/4 a bushel amid abundant global supplies.In Argentina, the 2025/26 wheat harvest is expected to reach a record 25.5 million tons, up from a previous estimate of 24 million tons, thanks to higher-than-expected yields as harvesting progresses, the Buenos Aires grains exchange said on Thursday.Australia is also poised to raise its wheat, barley and canola production estimates this week, supported by timely pre-harvest rain in the south and stronger yields in the west, according to a survey of analysts.Corn ZC1! slipped 0.39% to $4.46 a bushel, easing after strong U.S. export demand pushed prices on Friday to their highest level since early June.read more :- Maharashtra: Appeal to avoid over-harvesting of cotton

Maharashtra: Avoid overharvesting cotton; Agriculture Department appealsJalgaon: Khandesh has a large cotton crop. Farmers often harvest cotton with excessive harvesting or stubble. This prevents the pink bollworm from ending its life cycle. The Agriculture Department has appealed to avoid overharvesting cotton.Many planters and pre-season cotton growers have harvested their cotton crop due to pressure on cotton prices. Furthermore, there are various rumors surrounding prices. The pink bollworm has also increased in the crop. Consequently, farmers have harvested cotton with excessive harvesting or stubble. Summer, or Rabi, sowing is underway.Cotton is grown on 511,000 hectares in Jalgaon district. Of this, approximately 150,000 hectares were planted for pre-season cotton. 100% of the pre-season cotton is being harvested. There are also calls to harvest dry cotton crops later, or after the cotton harvest. In Dhule, approximately 55,000 to 60,000 hectares of pre-season cotton has been cleared. Nandurbar also reports approximately 80 percent of the cotton-under-planted area being cleared.Cotton prices were low in early November. Meanwhile, the price was ₹7,000 per quintal. However, by the end of November, prices continued to fall. There has been no increase in prices currently or in the last five to seven days.Fardad is not affordableDue to the lack of market momentum, buyers are reluctant to purchase Fardad cotton. This causes losses to farmers. Currently, only half a quintal of Fardad cotton can be harvested per acre. Considering the labor costs for harvesting and other matters, the cost is at least ₹4,000.This has led farmers to refrain from purchasing Fardad cotton. Farmers with access to water have started sowing wheat and millet. Wheat sowing is also continuing in Khandesh. Some farmers are clearing cotton fields to plant early-maturing maize varieties.read more :- Cotton arrivals in Barwani market decreased, prices increased

Madhya Pradesh: Cotton arrivals decline at Barwani Mandi, prices improve: Auctions run from morning to afternoon; maximum price reached ₹7,000Cotton arrivals at the Barwani Agricultural Market on Sunday were low, but prices improved. Auctions continued from morning to afternoon.Cotton sown during the summer and rainy season has now begun to emerge from the fields. Despite some damage from continuous rain, tin sheds remained lined with bullock carts and vehicles. Hundreds of bundles stored on the ground at the rear of the market were also auctioned.Traders determined prices based on the quality of the cotton. Farmers described most prices as satisfactory. Low-quality cotton fetched prices of up to ₹3,500 per quintal.Maximum price ₹7,000According to the market administration, the total arrival was 761 quintals, comprising 315 bundles, 22 vehicles, and 8 bullock carts. The maximum price recorded in the auction was ₹7,000, the minimum ₹3,500, and the model price was ₹5,400 per quintal.The market complex was bustling with farmers and traders from morning until noon. First, the bundles lined up were auctioned, followed by the cotton loaded on vehicles and bullock carts. This process slowed the auction process somewhat.read more :- MSU scientists create cotton fabric that fights mosquitoes and germs

Gujarat : MSU scientists craft cotton fabric that fights mosquitoes, germs.Vadodara: Imagine a cotton fabric that not only keeps mosquitoes at bay but also shields you from harmful UV rays and fights bacteria — all while being eco-friendly. Researchers at Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) have turned this vision into reality, developing a herbal-treated fabric that could change the way we think about everyday protective clothing.The project, conducted at the department of textile chemistry, faculty of technology and engineering, was led by master's student Jayant Patil under the guidance of department head Bharat H Patel and co-mentor Devang P Panchal.The team claimed they had infused cotton fabric with tulsi, lemongrass, and neem extracts using the pad-dry-cure technique, a continuous industrial finishing process that ensures uniform and long-lasting results.Patel highlighted the ecological and practical benefits of the innovation. "Neem and tulsi provide hygienic benefits, while lemongrass adds freshness," he said. "This fabric can be especially useful in hospitals — for aprons, curtains, and bedsheets — and also in baby care products."Colour properties were measured with a spectrophotometer, while antibacterial activity was tested against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, common infection-causing bacteria. The results showed 98% antibacterial effectiveness, lasting up to 30 normal washes.Mosquito repellency was tested using the cage test. The fabric demonstrated strong repellency against mosquito species responsible for dengue, malaria, and zika virus. It also offered enhanced UV resistance, providing an additional layer of protection from sunlight.The team is preparing to file a patent for the technology and plans to transfer the know-how to industry partners once approved. Researchers say this development could signal a shift toward next-generation protective clothing, where everyday fabrics serve as sustainable shields against disease, infection, and environmental hazards.read more :- INR Opens Stronger by 02 Paise at 89.43

Rupee opened 02 paise higher at 89.43/USDIndian rupee opened at 89.43 per dollar on monday versus previous close of 89.45.read more :- CCI Cotton Sales by State :– 2024-25

State-wise CCI Cotton Sales Cross 91 Lakh Bales in 2024-25 SeasonNew Delhi: The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has reported steady progress in cotton sales for the 2024-25 season, with total sales reaching approximately 91,08,300 bales so far. This accounts for about 91.08% of the total cotton procured during the current season.In a recent update, CCI also reduced Kasturi cotton prices by ₹100 per candy this week, reflecting ongoing market adjustments.State-wise data highlights strong sales activity in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat, which together contribute over 85.27% of the total cotton sold so far. These key cotton-producing states continue to play a major role in driving market movement.The latest figures indicate CCI’s proactive approach in managing cotton supply and stabilizing market conditions, while ensuring smooth distribution across major production regions.

Virtual trade talks between India and US, deal to be finalized before the end of the year: Commerce SecretaryWhen Nandan Nilekani mentions you in a keynote, it means more than just a mention; it signals a shift in the conversation. In his speech at the Global Fintech Festival 2025, Nilekani explained, “We have trillions of dollars of assets locked up in real estate and gold. Tokenization and AI [artificial intelligence] are two big trends that will drive this shift. The idea is to incorporate compliance but unlock the potential of tokenized assets.”This wasn't a passing mention. Nilekani highlighted Alt DRX as an example of how this vision is already coming true, citing its work as “bridging the gap between real-world assets and global investors through secure, fractional ownership” and as a model for the future digital economy, or “finternet,” in which India is at the forefront. He emphasized that Alt DRX is building precisely the kind of compliant, democratic infrastructure that he believes will shape India's next leap in digital finance.Alt DRX's work in this space was recognized at the Global Fintech Festival 2025, where Alt DRX was awarded the Best Wealth Tech Solution of the Year.This recognition set the stage for further discussion, when Dhruv Mohan of The Economic Times introduced the team behind one of India's fastest-growing digital real estate platforms.The market is reshaping itselfCo-founder and Chief Business Officer Avinash Rao believes India's housing market is at a turning point. "Every year, only about 300,000 homes are sold in the primary market. But the potential market is over 100 million buyers," he said. "Digital real estate will bridge this gap and allow people to participate in housing in new forms."He added that what surprised him most was that location no longer hindered participation. "It's unheard of for someone in Delhi to buy a property in Hyderabad, but it's actually happening," Rao said. "This kind of diversification across the country will become commonplace in the next few years."The integration of small ticket sizes as low as ₹10 per day through Alt DRX's Daily Savings Plan is a major step in this direction. Investors now regularly distribute holdings in metro cities like Mumbai, Goa, Kerala, and even in new markets like Ayodhya or Amravati.Changing buyer behaviorReturning to Rao's point, Dhruv asked whether digital properties are being treated more like financial instruments or traditional brick-and-mortar assets. Rao replied, "Real estate is a hedge compared to other asset classes. It's not volatile; it's long-term. About 25% of trades on our platform are secondary sales, which shows that people are seeing liquidity, but they still expect stable growth."He shared an interesting point: "Our busiest time isn't during trading hours; it's around 7:30 p.m., when people come online to buy digital square feet." This pattern of behavior shows how real estate is becoming a part of everyday financial activity, not just a once-in-a-lifetime decision.More importantly, Rao has seen customers using these digital units to build systematic portfolios. “Earlier, a home was a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. Now it's become something you can save for month after month. People are building real estate portfolios just like they do with stocks, which vary across regions and property types.”Engineering for Everyday InvestorsCo-founder and CTO, Sachin Joshi, shed light on the philosophy guiding their product roadmap. “Disruption starts with making participation easy,” he said. “That's why we created a daily savings product starting at ₹10; it helps people take small steps into real estate investing.”This simplicity matches technology. “We've fully integrated with UPI AutoPay,” Joshi added. “Users can set up daily investments in less than a minute. Today, hundreds of users invest automatically, buying and selling digital asset tokens on our platform every day.”According to Joshi, the idea is to bring real estate into everyday savings habits. “We want every Indian to own at least one square foot of real estate, from now until many years to come.”read more :- Relief for cotton farmers in Andhra: Private mills to procure from December 1

Andhra Pradesh: Major relief for cotton farmers in Andhra Pradesh, procurement will begin through private mills from December 1st.Cotton farmers in Andhra Pradesh are facing significant distress these days. Cyclone Monta in October dashed their hopes. Heavy rainfall lashed several cotton-growing districts, further exacerbating their problems. These farmers were already facing the challenge of excessive moisture in their produce due to unseasonal rains in August and September. On Wednesday, State Agriculture Minister Atchannaidu met with them, assuring them of timely procurement and assistance.Government AssurancesAtchannaidu assured cotton farmers that the government is taking necessary steps to address all procurement-related issues and ensuring that every quintal of cotton produced in the state is procured without delay. He inspected cotton procurement centers in Guntur and Palnadu districts. Following the inspection, Atchannaidu spoke with Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu over the phone and explained the problems faced by cotton farmers. He urged the Union Minister to discuss the issue with the Union Agriculture Minister and CCI officials in New Delhi so that immediate relief measures could be implemented.Farmers' Wait EndsAccording to Atchannaidu, he has personally spoken to the Union Textiles Minister, the CCI Chairman, and the Managing Director, and requested them to relax some procurement standards. This will ease the farmers' inconvenience in the markets. He said the central government has responded positively and assured full support in streamlining the procurement process. Atchannaidu also urged farmers not to lose heart and worry. He stated that the government will ensure that all cotton produced in the state is procured. According to Atchannaidu, the government will facilitate further procurement through private mills from December 1st to reduce the pressure on the CCI. He believed that this move would speed up procurement and end farmers' waits in market yards.Rs. 300 Crore for Crop Support PriceAtchannaidu reiterated the government's commitment to agricultural development. He said that the coalition government had allocated Rs. 300 crore for crop price support in the budget and had spent approximately Rs. 1,000 crore in just 16 months to ensure fair prices for farmers. He said that these figures reflect the coalition government's sincerity and dedication to strengthening the agricultural sector. He also offered reassurance to banana and maize farmers. He said that the government will stand firmly with farmers, who play a vital role in the rural economy.read more :- CCI slashes Kasturi mode prices, sells 91% cotton in e-auction

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) reduces Kasturi Mod prices by Rs 100/- per candy this week and sold 91.08% of its 2024-25 cotton procurement through e-auctions.During the entire week from 24 November to 28 November 2025, CCI conducted online auctions at its mills and trader sessions, achieving total sales of approximately 56,200 bales. Weekly Sales Performance24 November, 2025: CCI recorded sales of 6,700 bales, including 3,100 bales bought by mills and 3,600 bales taken by traders.25 November, 2025: The week recorded peak sales of 24,000 bales, including 21,800 bales purchased by mills and 2,200 by traders.26 November, 2025: Total sales reached 15,600 bales, with mills buying 6,600 bales and traders purchasing 9,000 bales.27 November, 2025: Out of the 9,000 bales sold, mills dominated purchases with 7,500 bales, while traders bought the remaining 1,500.28 November, 2025: This week closed with total sales of 900 bales, including 800 bales purchased by mills and 100 bales by traders.CCI sold a total of approximately 56,200 bales during the week, taking its cumulative sales to 91,08,300 bales for the season, which is 91.08% of its total purchases for 2024-25.read more :-  Chhota Udaipur: Farmers in cotton crisis, government help missing

Farmers in Chhota Udaipur, Gujarat, face financial hardship: Cotton crops ruined, government support still "zero!"Cotton crop ruined in Chhota Udaipur: Farmers in Naswadi, Bodeli, and Sankheda talukas of Chhota Udaipur district are currently facing severe financial hardship. The cotton crop, their livelihood, has been completely destroyed by unseasonal rains. According to farmers, despite the administration's announcement of assistance, they have not received a single rupee in aid to date.Cotton plants wither, causing losses worth lakhsCotton farming is the main source of income for farmers in this area. Farmers had spent lakhs of rupees planting cotton, and when the time came to harvest, unseasonal rains ruined all their hard work. The cotton plants have withered due to the unseasonal rains. The bolls (cotton fruits) on the plants have also dried up, leaving farmers in ruins. All the expenses of farming have fallen on their shoulders, and with zero income, farmers are burdened with a mountain of debt.There is no money for the winter crop, and banks are not giving loans.Farmers' plight has worsened after the cotton crop was destroyed. Farmers don't even have money for winter farming. Due to the shortage of funds, banks are also unwilling to provide new loans. Meanwhile, traders and shopkeepers in the market have stopped giving more loans to farmers, making survival difficult. Many farmers have had to mortgage their gold and silver jewelry. Currently, with no other wage or employment opportunities, they are facing a situation of "whatever happens, will happen."The biggest concern amid this dire situation for farmers is that despite the administration announcing assistance for cotton losses, farmer families have not yet received a single rupee.Farmers are clearly demanding that the government complete the survey as soon as possible and provide immediate financial assistance so they can get out of debt and make a living by planting crops next winter. Given this dire situation for farmers, it is imperative for the government to take immediate action.read more :- INR Drops 07 Paise, Closes at 89.45 per Dollar