Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana focusses on improving agricultural productivity.

In a significant step towards empowering India’s agricultural sector, the Union Cabinet, under the supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the ‘Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’

The scheme, set to from 2025-26 financial year, targets 100 selected districts, marking a pioneering initiative aimed solely on agriculture and its allied sectors. It focuses to transform agricultural practices and productivity, especially in regions with underperforming agriculture. These 100 districts will be chosen based on three key factors: low productivity, low cropping intensity, and limited access to agricultural credit. The allocation of each state will depend on the proportion of net cropped area and the number of operational holdings, ensuring that every state and Union Territory is represented by at least one district.

The main agenda of the Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana are to improve agricultural productivity, encourage crop diversification, and promote sustainable farming practices. The scheme will also work to improve irrigation systems, strengthen storage infrastructure at the block and panchayat levels, and facilitate both short-term and long-term credit access for farmers.

A standout feature of the scheme is its convergence approach, which brings together 36 existing initiatives from 11 central departments into a unified framework. This integrated development plan will also involve collaboration with state-level efforts and private sector partnerships.

On the ground, a three-tier committee system will be set up at the district, state, and national levels to ensure effective planning, coordination, and monitoring. At the district level, the District Dhan-Dhaanya Samiti, including progressive farmers, will be tasked with creating localised plans that align with national objectives, such as soil and water conservation, promoting organic farming, and achieving agricultural self-sufficiency.

To guarantee transparency and accountability, the progress of each district will be tracked using 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), monitored through a digital dashboard on a monthly basis. Central Nodal Officers will be appointed for each district to conduct regular assessments, with NITI Aayog playing a key role in guiding and evaluating the implementation at the district level.

This multi-stakeholder approach promises to bring significant improvements to India’s agricultural landscape, making it a comprehensive, integrated effort to foster long-term agricultural growth.

Urban agriculture can contribute to the nation’s food security.

Urban farmers in Malaysia, particularly those operating hydroponic systems on vertical farms in Penang, Johor, and Sabah, face several challenges despite various government support measures such as subsidies, price regulations, and other protective policies

These farmers are grappling with issues stemming from government policies and legislative controls, volatile market dynamics, financial constraints, operational limits, and environmental factors. As one farmer notes, "We are facing several challenges, even with the existing subsidies and price regulations. The market is unpredictable, and there are many operational and financial barriers that prevent us from growing our businesses." These issues remain prevalent despite the efforts aimed at supporting local farming. The need for more efficient and accessible capital-raising methods is a key concern. Urban farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to secure the financial resources necessary to sustain operations, expand their ventures, and address ongoing challenges.

One of the primary hurdles is securing funding. To overcome this, there is a growing call for more streamlined and innovative financing options. Traditional financing methods are often not suited to the specific needs of urban farmers, who require capital to grow their operations quickly and effectively. As a result, there is increasing interest in leveraging global financial blockchain networks, agro-tokens, and expanding agro-lending options to support these farmers.

Blockchain technology, in particular, has garnered attention for its potential to facilitate secure and transparent financial transactions, helping to ease the process of obtaining funds. The use of agro-tokens is another emerging solution, offering urban farmers a new avenue for raising capital in a decentralised and efficient manner. These methods are gaining prominence in light of Malaysia's increasing focus on urban farming as a strategy to boost crop yields, stabilise food prices, and reduce the risks associated with food security.

As Malaysia seeks to enhance its urban farming sector, it is clear that innovative financial tools and expanded lending opportunities will be crucial in overcoming the barriers faced by urban farmers. By adopting these forward-thinking solutions, urban agriculture can flourish, contributing to the nation’s food security while offering sustainable growth for local farmers.

CISCE is going to transform China's position as a global leader in supply chain innovation.

The China-Spain Economic and Trade Forum and a roadshow for the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) were held in Madrid on June 10

The event attracted representatives from trade and investment promotion agencies, and companies from both countries.

Ren Hongbin, China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Chairman, stated that the visit to Spain aims to implement the vital consensus made by the leaders of both countries and further enhance their economic and trade relations. He emphasised that this initiative seeks to build a stronger and more dynamic comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain.

The Spanish business community has recognized China's role in fostering stability and cooperation in the global supply chain. Spanish companies articulated their eagerness to capitalise on their strengths in logistics, manufacturing, and energy. They also expressed their intention to participate in the upcoming CISCE actively.

During the forum, representatives from the China International Exhibition Center Group presented specific information about the third CISCE. They also signed cooperation agreements with Spanish institutions and businesses. The third CISCE is scheduled to take place from July 16-20, 2025, in Beijing. The event will highlight six key industrial chains: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, smart vehicles, digital technology, healthy living, and green agriculture. It will also feature a dedicated supply chain service area.

Ren Hongbin ended by reiterating the importance of this collaboration, stressing the need for both countries to work together to expand their economic ties and explore new opportunities in various sectors.
"Through this visit, we hope to implement the important consensus reached by our leaders and continue to strengthen the China-Spain relationship in trade and investment," Ren said.

The CISCE is going to play a vital role in empowering China's position as a global leader in supply chain innovation, fostering deeper international cooperation and creating new opportunities for companies worldwide.

The workshop aimed at cross-sector collaboration to build inclusive, tech-enabled climate services.

Recently, the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe (MSD), in partnership with Safe4All Africa and the Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU), hosted a five-day workshop to address climate change and food insecurity challenges across Africa

Held in the wake of new weather station installations in Mashonaland East, the event brought together meteorologists, journalists, civil society groups, farmers, and other stakeholders for a focused dialogue on climate adaptation and early warning systems.

The workshop was a collaborative platform to share knowledge, promote climate-smart agricultural practices, and scale innovative technologies that enhance community resilience. Safe4All Africa, a non-governmental organisation founded in January 2024 and operating in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Ghana, showcased several digital tools designed to help smallholder farmers manage climate risks.

Among the tools introduced were the Uliza-WI Chatbox, an AI chatbot providing localised forecasts and real-time farming advice; the Drop App, which tracks rainfall and sends drought alerts; the Climate Impact Atlas, an interactive platform highlighting high-risk climate zones; and a 24/7 Call Center Line, offering voice-based weather updates and expert support for farmers with limited internet access.

With Africa warming nearly twice the global average, and Zimbabwe increasingly vulnerable to droughts and shifting seasonal patterns, such innovations are crucial. Over 60% of Zimbabwe’s population relies on agriculture, making access to timely, localized climate data vital for national food security.

The Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union played a key role in ensuring farmer participation and emphasised the importance of local engagement. “We believe that technology must be rooted in local realities,” said Prince Kuipa, ZFU Operations Director. “By working closely with government agencies and tech innovators, we can ensure that smallholder farmers don’t get left behind in the climate conversation.”

MSD reaffirmed its commitment to expanding localized forecasting and early warning systems. These efforts align with Zimbabwe’s National Adaptation Plan and Vision 2030, the country’s strategy to achieve upper-middle-income status by the end of the decade.

The workshop concluded with a strong call for cross-sector collaboration to build inclusive, tech-enabled climate services that protect people and the planet.