VST Tillers Tractors Showcases Innovative Product Portfolio at National Agriculture Expo 2026

Raisen, Madhya Pradesh | Apr 13: VST Tillers Tractors Ltd., a pioneer in compact agricultural machinery in India, showcased its latest portfolio of innovative farm mechanisation solutions at the National Agriculture Expo 2026 organised by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in association with the Ministry of Agriculture, Madhya Pradesh in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh. Designed to address the evolving needs of modern farmers, VST’s new product range marks a significant advancement in fuel efficiency, performance, and versatility for small and mid-sized farming operations.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Government of India and Shri Narayan Singh Kushwaha, Hon’ble Minister for Horticulture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, visited the VST stall at the exhibition and commended the company’s innovations and sustained efforts in advancing horticulture mechanization. At the Expo, the company unveiled its latest innovations, including the FENTM Series Tractors, Electric Power Tiller, and Electric Power Weeder, each reflecting VST’s commitment to sustainable and technology-driven agriculture.

The FENTM Series comprises five high-performance and fuel-efficient models, 180 FENTM, 224 FENTM, 225 FENTM, 270 FENTM, and 929 FENTM, offering a horsepower range of 18.5 HP to 29 HP. Available in both 2WD and 4WD configurations, these tractors are engineered to deliver enhanced productivity, superior operator comfort, and long-term reliability.

Positioned as compact yet powerful farming solutions, the FENTM Series is designed for versatility across diverse terrains and agricultural applications. Each model delivers an optimal balance of power, manoeuvrability, and fuel efficiency, making it ideally suited for the varied needs of Indian farmers.

VST’s Electric Power Tiller and Electric Power Weeder further underscore the company’s vision to enable sustainable agriculture through advanced mechanisation. These EV solutions are engineered to deliver high performance with minimal environmental impact, aligning with India’s clean energy and decarbonisation goals. The electric range offers farmers eco-friendly operations, lower running costs, and ease of use, heralding a new era of green farming solutions.

Building on its strong legacy of engineering excellence and indigenous innovation, VST is now leveraging global EV learnings to strengthen India’s small-farm mechanisation ecosystem. Through future-ready, locally developed solutions, the company aims to redefine productivity, sustainability, and affordability for the next generation of farmers.

The National Agriculture Expo 2026, a premier three-day agricultural exhibition and training platform, is being held from April 11–13, 2026, at the Dussehra Ground in Raisen. The event brings together farmers, policymakers, researchers, agri-startups, and industry leaders to showcase advancements across the agricultural value chain. With over 300 exhibition stalls, the expo features innovations in farm mechanisation, improved seeds, irrigation technologies, drones, digital agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and food processing.

India, Oman Explore Ways to Strengthen Trade and Investment Ties

New Delhi, Apr 13 (BNP): India and Oman have discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment, focusing on expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held discussions with Oman’s Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Minister Anwar bin Hilal bin Hamdoun Al Jabri on strengthening economic relations and identifying new areas of partnership.

The talks also centred on leveraging opportunities under the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to further boost trade flows and investment ties for mutual growth.

Officials noted that in recent days, Goyal has also engaged with trade ministers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait as part of broader efforts to deepen India’s economic engagement with West Asian countries.

Indore SEZ Exports Rise 10.5 pc to Cross INR 14,000 Crore in FY26

New Delhi, Apr 13 (BNP): Indore’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) recorded a steady growth in exports, with shipments rising by around 10.5% to reach ₹14,302 crore in the financial year 2025–26, despite global economic uncertainties.

Officials from the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry said the growth was supported by strong order pipelines from overseas buyers. They noted that even amid disruptions caused by shifting US tariff policies and geopolitical tensions in West Asia, export momentum remained largely resilient.

The performance highlights the continued strength of export-oriented industries operating out of the Indore SEZ, which have maintained consistent demand in international markets.

Sensex Drops Over 700 Points Amid Global Uncertainty

New Delhi, Apr 13 (BNP): Indian equity markets ended lower on Monday, with benchmark indices slipping nearly 1% amid rising global tensions and concerns over crude oil prices.

The decline came after reports of stalled US-Iran negotiations, which heightened fears of a prolonged geopolitical conflict and its potential impact on global energy markets.

The BSE Sensex dropped 702.68 points, or 0.91%, to close at 76,847.57. During intraday trade, it fell as much as 1,681.93 points, or 2.16%, to touch 75,868.32.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty declined 207.95 points, or 0.86%, to settle at 23,842.65.

Market analysts said rising uncertainty in global crude oil prices added pressure on investor sentiment, leading to broad-based selling across sectors.

EU Sustainability Governance: A Solid Foundation for the Rapid Expansion of the Hydrogen Sector

The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East once again highlight the importance of an energy supply free from fossil fuels. Renewable hydrogen is a key component in finding a way out of this dependency and achieving climate targets, including for energy-intensive sectors. A new policy paper from the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) brings good news in this regard: in the EU, as in other countries, there are already governance frameworks in place that can be built upon – and which promote a rapid yet sustainable ramp-up of the global hydrogen economy. Join the online event about this topic and publications on the 15th of April 2026, 10:00 to 11:00 AM (CEST). 

Green hydrogen has great potential to replace fossil fuels in energy-intensive industries such as the steel and chemical sectors. However, the roll-out of the hydrogen economy must happen quickly, as the climate crisis demands urgent action. At the same time, hydrogen offers opportunities for value creation, particularly in countries with abundant renewable energy resources. 

However, hydrogen production also carries environmental and social risks: for example, expanding hydrogen production capacity could exacerbate existing water shortages. This is because more than 60 per cent of the global onshore production potential of renewable hydrogen is located in regions facing water scarcity. 

The recently published policy paper “Strengthening Sustainability Governance for a Rapid Hydrogen Ramp-Up” by Rainer Quitzow and Maximilian Rischer builds on an assessment of sustainability governance mechanisms in the hydrogen sector across various countries. The conclusion: “The rules and mechanisms do not need to be completely reinvented,” says researcher Maximilian Rischer – “as frameworks for environmental and social considerations already exist in other areas, such as development banks, which need to be adapted to the hydrogen sector.” 

Sustainability governance (see figure) also helps to ensure transparency and fair competition by ensuring that all economic actors adhere to the same standards and safeguards.

Finally, this policy paper proposes four measures at international and EU level that not only make governance structures more effective in supporting sustainability goals, but also strengthen capacities along the value chain. 

1.  Recommendation: Develop guidelines for hydrogen to implement sustainability-related due diligence 

Guidelines for hydrogen to implement sustainability-related due diligence can help companies gain access to finance whilst strengthening efforts to mitigate environmental and social risks. A joint initiative by the major multilateral development banks and key private financial institutions to develop such guidelines for the hydrogen sector could help establish a global benchmark for this purpose.

2. Recommendation: ISO standard for hydrogen sustainability

In addition to the development of sector-specific guidelines, the introduction of an ISO standard for assessing sustainability in the hydrogen sector could further support the harmonisation and alignment of approaches over time. It also provides certainty for project developers in times of potential regulatory changes. In Germany, a draft sustainability standard for hydrogen has already been developed by the national standards institute DIN, which could be adopted at the international level. 

3. Recommendation: Promote best practices in sustainability, capacity building and knowledge sharing

The promotion of best practices in the field of sustainable hydrogen production, combined with capacity building and knowledge sharing, can strengthen the ability of project developers to develop credible and cost-effective approaches to meeting sustainability criteria and due diligence obligations. Stakeholders such as the International PtX Hub are already playing an important role in this regard.

4. Recommendation: Ensuring a level playing field through robust certification systems

Ensure a level playing field for all economic operators by having the European Commission implement the established monitoring and reporting obligations.

Study defining sustainability governance

In their study “Governance for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy. A Review of the Current State of Play”, published concurrently and forming the basis for this policy paper, the authors examine approaches from various regions in detail. For the first time, the two authors define what sustainability governance entails – a definition that is not limited to the hydrogen economy but can also be applied to other sectors.

Firstly, it encompasses government strategies, rules and regulations designed to ensure sustainability in the hydrogen sector. These include direct requirements for actors in the hydrogen value chain, as well as regulations aimed at creating transparency regarding specific economic activities.

Furthermore, there are sustainability-related rules and framework conditions that apply to the financing of hydrogen-related facilities. This may concern government support programmes as well as financing by public and private financial institutions.

Standards and certification systems serve as the basis for defining and verifying sustainability requirements or claims. These are intended to be core elements of a developing, sustainability-oriented quality infrastructure in the hydrogen sector.
Finally, high-level principles and initiatives serve as reference points for sustainability governance mechanisms and provide guidance to actors along the value chain towards more sustainable practices.

The authors’ conclusion: The European Union’s existing sustainability governance framework provides a basis for the sustainable expansion of the hydrogen sector. To be effective, therefore, there is no need for a multitude of new instruments or mechanisms. Rather, the next step requires targeted adjustments and additions to drive forward the expansion of a sustainable hydrogen sector.