Agriculture

The satyagraha started with fishermen from multiple coastal districts, including Mullaitivu and Kokilai in the north, converging on Colombo to voice their grievances.

The minister said that the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)has recently assessed the status of fish stocks of major commercial fish species in the Indian waters. As per the studies on fish stocks, it is revealed that the stocks are in good health and 91.1 per cent of the 135 fish stocks evaluated in different regions during 2022 were found sustainable.

Humanitarian assistance has declined sharply amid global funding shortfalls, leaving millions more exposed.

The gulper shark controversy in the Maldives encapsulates a broader global tension: how to steward oceanic biodiversity amid competing economic interests. For a nation once celebrated as a conservation pioneer, the unfolding debate raises hard questions about identity, priorities and legacy.

Farmer organisations have indicated that the February 12 protest could mark the beginning of a sustained campaign if their demands are not met or if the trade agreement proceeds without further consultation.

Bilateral trade reached $129 billion in 2024, with India enjoying a surplus. US agricultural imports from India rose, but concerns persist over subsidised US products undercutting Indian farmers. Agriculture employs about 42 per cent of India’s population, making it politically explosive – as seen in the 2021 farm law protests.

Farm organisations have already begun voicing strong opposition. Some groups have called for nationwide protests.

Anchored in the government’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, the budget is structured around three overarching “kartavyas” or duties: accelerating economic growth, building people’s capacities, and ensuring inclusive access to resources for all families, communities and regions.