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Crops Lost to Pests

Why in News According to a recent report, as much as 40% of the world’s agricultural crops are lost to pests each year. The United Nations...

04 Jun 2021 Cropping Patterns
Green Revolution

Introduction The Green Revolution was an endeavour initiated by Norman Borlaug in the 1960s. He is known as the 'Father of Green Revolution' in...

31 May 2021 Cropping Patterns
Kharif Strategy for Oilseeds

Why in News The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has formulated Kharif Strategy 2021 to achieve self-sufficiency in edible...

24 May 2021 Cropping Patterns
Boosting Oilseed Production

This article is based on “Making India Atmanirbhar in oilseeds” which was published in The Hindu Bussiness line on 21/05/2021. It talks...

22 May 2021 Cropping Patterns
MACS 1407: Variety of Soybean

Why in News Recently, Indian Scientists have developed a high-yielding and pest-resistant variety of soybean, called MACS 1407. Scientists from...

30 Apr 2021 Cropping Patterns
PM-KUSUM

Why in News Recently, the first farm-based solar power plant under the Prime Minister’s Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM)...

03 Apr 2021 Cropping Patterns
Certified Jute Seeds

Why in News The Ministry of Textiles has launched a Certified Jute Seed Distribution Plan under Jute ICARE Program. Jute Corporation of India...

18 Feb 2021 Cropping Patterns
Problems of Punjab’s Monoculture

Why in News Amidst the ongoing farmer’s protests, questions are being raised on the sustainability of paddy-wheat cultivation, especially in...

17 Dec 2020 Cropping Patterns
Alternative to MSP Crops

This article is based on “Punjab, Haryana need to look beyond MSP crops” which was published in The Hindu on 16/12/2020. It talks about...

16 Dec 2020 Cropping Patterns
PM-KUSUM

This article is based on “PM-KUSUM will shine when implemented fully” which was published in The Hindu Business line on 12/12/2020. It...

15 Dec 2020 Cropping Patterns
Artificial Intelligence & Agriculture

This article is based on “AI for the farmer” which was published in The Indian Express on 26/11/2020. It talks about the application of...

27 Nov 2020 Cropping Patterns
Stubble Waste Management

This article is based on “Wealth from stubble” which was published in The Indian Express on 27/10/2020. It talks about the issue of...

27 Oct 2020 Cropping Patterns
Xoo Infection: Rice

Why in News Recently, scientists from the Centre for Plant Molecular Biology (CPMB) have uncovered the mechanism by which a bacterium called Xoo...

05 Oct 2020 Cropping Patterns
EPCA on Early Burning of Crop Residue

Why in News The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) raised concerns about early burning of crop...

23 Sep 2020 Cropping Patterns
International Tea Day

Why in News Recently, the first International Tea Day was observed on 21st May after it was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in...

22 May 2020 Cropping Patterns
National Conference on Kharif Crops 2020

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare addressed the National Conference on Kharif Crops 2020 through a...

17 Apr 2020 Cropping Patterns
India’s Cotton Story

This article is based on “The flawed spin to India’s cotton story” which was published in The Hindu on 23/01/2020. It highlights...

24 Jan 2020 Cropping Patterns
Cropping Patterns and Major Crops of India: Part Two

Major Cash Crops Sugarcane Temperature: Between 21-27°C with hot and humid climate. Rainfall: Around 75-100 cm. Soil Type: Deep rich...

04 Nov 2019 Cropping Patterns
Cropping Patterns and Major Crops of India: Part One

Two-thirds of India’s population is engaged in agricultural activities. It is a primary activity, which produces food grains and raw materials...

02 Nov 2019 Cropping Patterns
Zero-Budget Natural Farming

This article is based on “Is zero budget natural farming working?” that appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 14/09/2019. It talks...

14 Sep 2019 Cropping Patterns

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		'article_id' => (int) 8523,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Crops Lost to Pests',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to a recent report, as much as <strong>40% of the world&rsquo;s agricultural crops</strong> are lost to pests each year.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> declared 2020 as the <strong>International Year of Plant Health</strong>, which has been extended until 1<sup>st</sup> July, 2021.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons for the Spread:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Half of all <strong>emerging plant diseases</strong> are spread by <strong>global travel and trade</strong>, which have tripled in volume over the last decade.</li>
<li><strong>Weather</strong> is the second-most important factor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>increase the risk of pests spreading</strong> in agricultural and forestry ecosystems, especially in <strong>cooler <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/arctic-concerns-opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arctic</a>, <a href="/images/pdf/Environment%20&amp;%20Ecology%20(Quick%20Book)%20-For%20web.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boreal</a>, temperate and subtropical regions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Controlling Invasive Pests:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A single, <strong>unusually warm winter</strong> can be enough to assist the establishment of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invasive-species-charru-mussel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invasive</a> pests.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/fall-armyworm-fighting-the-pest-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fall armyworm pests</strong></a>, which feed on crops like maize, sorghum and millet and <strong>Tephritid fruit flies</strong> (that damage fruit and other crops) have already spread due to a warmer climate.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/whiteflies-threat-to-agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Desert locusts</strong> </a><strong>(the world&rsquo;s most destructive migratory pests)</strong>, are expected to change their migratory routes and geographical distribution because of climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of the Plant Pests:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It leaves <strong>millions of people without enough food to eat.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>adversely impacts agricultural activities</strong> and thereby, the primary source of income for rural poor communities.</li>
<li><strong>Invasive pests</strong> cost countries <strong>at least USD 70 billion annually</strong> and are one of the <strong>main drivers of biodiversity loss.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Key Recommendations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Farmers should adopt and policymakers should encourage the use of <strong>environment-friendly methods</strong> such as integrated pest management.</li>
<li>To make trade safe, it is important to implement <strong>international plant health standards and norms</strong>, such as those developed by <strong>the International Plant Protection Convention (IPCC)</strong> and <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The IPPC is a <strong>plant health treaty</strong> signed by over 180 countries including India.</li>
<li>It aims to <strong>protect the world's plant resources</strong> from the spread and introduction of pests, and promote safe trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There is a need for <strong>more research as well as investment</strong> in strengthening national plant health systems and structures.</li>
<li>Policymakers and governments should ensure their decisions are based on <strong>sound preparation and data.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Regularly monitoring plants and receiving early warning information</strong> about emerging threats, helps governments, agricultural officers and farmers take preventive and adaptive measures to keep plants healthy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pest Controlling Methods</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The most popular methods of containing the pest include the use of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-seeds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genetically Modified (GM)</strong> </a><strong>crops and pesticides</strong>, however, some armyworms have developed resistance to these tactics and are continuing to destroy crops.</li>
<li>Natural approaches, including <strong>breeding predators such as wasps</strong>, to be released into fields when necessary, as well as developing a <strong>&ldquo;germ warfare&rdquo;</strong> that isolates diseases to which the caterpillar (armyworm) is prone, are being explored by the scientists.</li>
<li><strong>A quarantine system</strong>, under which imports of grains and plants that can host such insects are inspected at shipping ports, airports and land border crossings is the first line of defence taken by the countries across the world.</li>
<li><strong>The quarantine system in India</strong> is governed by the <strong>Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order of 2003</strong>, which is notified under the Destructive Insects and Pests Act of 1914.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>In India</strong>, quarantine responsibility lies with <strong>the Directorate of Plant Protection</strong>, Quarantine &amp; Storage (headquartered in Faridabad, Haryana). The short staffed directorate and the lack of a strong legislation have made the task of policing borders difficult in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/at-least-40-global-crops-lost-to-pests-every-year-fao-77252" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8493,
		'category_id' => (int) 28,
		'title' => 'Green Revolution',
		'description' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Green Revolution was an endeavour initiated by<strong> Norman Borlaug</strong> in the 1960s. He is known as the <strong>'Father of Green Revolution'</strong> in world.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It led to him winning the <strong>Nobel Peace Prize</strong> in 1970 for his work in developing <strong>High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of wheat.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In India, the Green Revolution was mainly led by<strong> M.S. Swaminathan.</strong></li>
<li>The Green Revolution resulted in a<strong> great increase in production of food grains</strong> (especially wheat and rice) due to the introduction into developing countries of new, high-yielding variety seeds, beginning in the mid-20<sup>th</sup> century. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its early dramatic successes were in Mexico and the Indian subcontinent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Green Revolution, spreading over the period from 1967-68 to 1977-78, changed India&rsquo;s status from a food-deficient country to one of the world's leading agricultural nations.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Green Revolution</h3>
<p><strong>Objectives of Green Revolution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Short Term:</strong> The revolution was launched to address India&rsquo;s hunger crisis during the <strong>second Five Year Plan.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Long Term:</strong> The long term objectives included overall agriculture modernization based on rural development, industrial development; infrastructure, raw material etc.</li>
<li><strong>Employment:</strong> To provide employment to both agricultural and industrial workers.</li>
<li><strong>Scientific Studies:</strong> Producing stronger plants which could withstand extreme climates and diseases.</li>
<li><strong>Globalization of the Agricultural World:</strong> By spreading technology to non-industrialized nations and setting up many corporations in major agricultural areas.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Basic Elements of the Green Revolution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expansion of Farming Areas:</strong> Although the area of land under cultivation was being increased from 1947 itself, this was not enough to meet the rising demand. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Green Revolution provided assistance in this quantitative expansion of farmlands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Double-cropping System:</strong> Double cropping was a primary feature of the Green Revolution. The decision was made to have two crop seasons per year instead of just one. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The one-season-per-year practice was based on the fact that there is only one rainy season annually.</li>
<li>Water for the second phase now came from huge irrigation projects. Dams were built and other simple irrigation techniques were also adopted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Using seeds with improved genetics:</strong> Using seeds with superior genetics was the scientific aspect of the Green Revolution. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-council-of-agricultural-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Council for Agricultural Research</strong> </a>developed new strains of high yield variety seeds, mainly wheat and rice, millet and corn.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Important Crops in the Revolution:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Main crops were Wheat, Rice, Jowar, Bajra and Maize.</li>
<li>Non-food grains were excluded from the ambit of the new strategy.</li>
<li>Wheat remained the mainstay of the Green Revolution for years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Green Revolution in India</h3>
<p><strong>Background of Green Revolution in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1943, India suffered from the world&rsquo;s worst recorded food crisis; <strong>the Bengal Famine,</strong> which led to the death of approximately 4 million people in eastern India due to hunger.</li>
<li>Even after independence in 1947, until 1967 the government largely concentrated on expanding the farming areas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But the population was growing at a much faster rate than food production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This called for an immediate and drastic action to increase yield. The action came in the form of the Green Revolution.</li>
<li>The green revolution in India refers to a period when <strong>Indian Agriculture was converted into an industrial system</strong> due to the<strong> adoption of modern methods and technology</strong> such as the use of HYV seeds, tractors, irrigation facilities, pesticides and fertilizers.</li>
<li>It was funded by the US and the Indian Government and the Ford and Rockefeller Foundation.</li>
<li>The Green Revolution in India is largely the Wheat Revolution as the wheat production increased by more than three times between 1967-68 and 2003-04, while the overall increase in the production of cereals was only two times</li>
</ul>
<h3>Positive Impacts of Green Revolution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Tremendous Increase in Crop Produce:</strong> It resulted in a grain output of 131 million tonnes in the year 1978-79 and established India as one of the world's biggest agricultural producers. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The crop area under high yielding varieties of wheat and rice grew considerably during the Green Revolution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduced Import of Food-Grains:</strong> India became self-sufficient in food-grains and had sufficient stock in the central pool, even, at times, India was in a position to export food-grains. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The per capita net availability of food-grains has also increased.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits to the Farmers:</strong> The introduction of the Green Revolution helped the farmers in raising their level of income. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Farmers ploughed back their surplus income for improving agricultural productivity.</li>
<li>The big farmers with more than 10 hectares of land were particularly benefited by this revolution by investing large amounts of money in various inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizers, machines, etc. It also promoted capitalist farming.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Industrial Growth:</strong> The Revolution brought about large scale farm mechanization which created demand for different types of machines like tractors, harvesters, threshers, combines, diesel engines, electric motors, pumping sets, etc. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Besides, demand for chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, weedicides, etc. also increased considerably.</li>
<li>Several agricultural products were also used as raw materials in various industries known as<strong> agro based industries. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rural Employment:</strong> There was an appreciable increase in the demand for labour force due to multiple cropping and use of fertilizers. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Green Revolution created plenty of jobs not only for agricultural workers but also industrial workers by creating related facilities such as factories and hydroelectric power stations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Negative Impacts of Green Revolution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Non-Food Grains Left Out :</strong> Although all food-grains including wheat, rice, jowar, bajra and maize have gained from the revolution, other crops such as coarse cereals, pulses and oilseeds were left out of the ambit of the revolution.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Major commercial crops like cotton, jute, tea and sugarcane were also left almost untouched by the Green Revolution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limited Coverage of HYVP:</strong> High Yielding Variety Programme (HYVP) was restricted to only five crops: Wheat, Rice, Jowar, Bajra and Maize. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, non-food grains were excluded from the ambit of the new strategy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The HYV seeds in the non-food crops were either not developed so far or they were not good enough for farmers to risk their adoption.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional Disparities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Green Revolution technology has given birth to growing disparities in economic development at interred and intra regional levels.</li>
<li>It has so far affected only 40 percent of the total cropped area and 60 per cent is still untouched by it.</li>
<li>The most affected areas are Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh in the north and Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the south.</li>
<li>It has hardly touched the Eastern region, including Assam, Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa and arid and semi-arid areas of Western and Southern India.</li>
<li>The Green Revolution affected only those areas which were already better placed from an agricultural point of view.</li>
<li>Thus the problem of regional disparities has further aggravated as a result of the Green Revolution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Excessive Usage of Chemicals:</strong> The Green Revolution resulted in a large-scale use of pesticides and synthetic nitrogen fertilisers for improved irrigation projects and crop varieties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, little or no efforts were made to educate farmers about the high risk associated with the intensive use of pesticides.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pesticides were sprayed on crops usually by untrained farm labourers without following instructions or precautions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This causes more harm than good to crops and also becomes a cause for environment and soil pollution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Water Consumption:</strong> The crops introduced during the green revolution were water-intensive crops. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most of these crops being cereals, required almost 50% of dietary water footprint.</li>
<li>Canal systems were introduced, and irrigation pumps also sucked out the groundwater to supply the water-intensive crops, such as sugarcane and rice, thus depleting the groundwater levels.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Punjab is a major wheat- and rice-cultivating area, and hence it is one of the highest water depleted regions in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impacts on Soil and Crop Production:</strong> Repeated crop cycle in order to ensure increased crop production depleted the soil's nutrients. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To meet the needs of new kinds of seeds, farmers increased fertilizer usage. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The pH level of the soil increased due to the usage of these alkaline chemicals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Toxic chemicals in the soil destroyed beneficial pathogens, which further led to the decline in the yield.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unemployment:</strong> Except in Punjab, and to some extent in Haryana, farm mechanization under the Green Revolution created widespread unemployment among agricultural labourers in the rural areas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The worst affected were the poor and the landless labourers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Health Hazards:</strong> The large-scale use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides such as Phosphamidon, Methomyl, Phorate, Triazophos and Monocrotophos resulted in resulted in a number of critical health illnesses including <strong>cancer, renal failure, stillborn babies and birth defects.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Overall, the Green Revolution was a major achievement for many developing countries, specially India and gave them an unprecedented level of national food security. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It represented the successful adaptation and transfer of the same scientific revolution in agriculture that the industrial countries had already appropriated for themselves.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, lesser heed was paid to factors other than ensuring food security such as environment, the poor farmers and their education about the know-how of such chemicals.</li>
<li>As a way forward, the policymakers must target the poor more precisely to ensure that they receive greater direct benefits from new technologies and those technologies will also need to be more environmentally sustainable.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, taking lessons from the past, it must be ensured that such initiatives include all of the beneficiaries covering all the regions rather than sticking to a limited field.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Green Revolution &ndash; Krishonnati Yojana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government of India introduced the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/green-revolution-krishonnati-yojana#:~:text=The%20government%20of%20India%20introduced,increase%20the%20income%20of%20farmer." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Green Revolution Krishonnati Yojana</strong></a> in 2005 to boost the agriculture sector.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government through the scheme plans to develop the agriculture and allied sector in a holistic &amp; scientific manner to increase the income of farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It comprises of 11 schemes and mission under a single umbrella scheme:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-for-integrated-development-of-horticulture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)</strong></a></li>
<li>National Food Security Mission (NFSM)</li>
<li>National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)</li>
<li>Submission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)</li>
<li>Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP)</li>
<li>Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)</li>
<li>Sub-Mission on Plant Protection and Plan Quarantine (SMPPQ)</li>
<li>Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Census, Economics and Statistics (ISACES)</li>
<li>Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation (ISAC)</li>
<li>Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Marketing (ISAM)</li>
<li>National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Evergreen Revolution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The improvements brought out by the Green Revolution came at the cost of adverse environmental effects in areas subjected to intensive farming. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, where population pressure is high, there is no option except to produce more food.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hence, the<strong> need for the Evergreen Revolution was called out by Dr. M S Swaminathan,</strong> the Father of the Green Revolution in India.</li>
<li>Under the Evergreen Revolution, it is envisaged that<strong> productivity must increase, but in ways which are environmentally safe, economically viable and socially sustainable.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The evergreen revolution involves the<strong> integration of ecological principles in technology development and dissemination.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8435,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Kharif Strategy for Oilseeds',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers Welfare</strong> has formulated <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kharif</a> Strategy 2021</strong> to achieve <strong>self-sufficiency in edible oils.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kharif Season</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Crops are sown from June to July and Harvesting is done in between September-October.</li>
<li>Crops are: Rice, maize, jowar, bajra, tur, moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut, soyabean etc.</li>
<li>States are: Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Kharif Strategy 2021:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An ambitious plan for the<strong> free distribution of high yielding varieties of seeds</strong> to the farmers for the Kharif season 2021 in the form of mini-kits.</li>
<li>Strategy for both area and productivity enhancement has been formulated for <strong>soybean and groundnut</strong> under the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/green-revolution-krishonnati-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Food Security Mission (Oil Seeds and Oil Palm).</strong></a></li>
<li>It will bring an additional 6.37 lakh hectare area under oilseeds and is likely to produce 120.26 lakh quintals of oilseeds and edible oil amounting to 24.36 lakh quintals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Basic Information Related to Oilseeds:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Oilseed crops are the <strong>second most important determinant of the agricultural economy,</strong> next only to cereals within the segment of field crops. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The self-sufficiency in oilseeds attained through the<strong> &ldquo;Yellow Revolution&rdquo;</strong> during early 1990&rsquo;s, could not be sustained beyond a short period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Oilseed crops are <strong>primarily grown for the purpose of obtaining vegetable oils from them.</strong> Oil content in them varies from 20% in soybeans to 40% in sunflowers and canola (rapeseed).</li>
<li>India is able to produce a huge amount of oilseeds because of the favourable environmental conditions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Castor seed, sesamum, rapeseed, groundnut, mustard, soyabean, linseed, niger seed, sunflower and safflower are<strong> some of the important oilseeds India is known to produce.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Despite <strong>being the fifth largest oilseed crop producing country</strong> in the world, India is also <strong>one of the largest importers of vegetable oils</strong> today. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India buys more than two-thirds of its total edible oil imports as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-resumes-purchase-of-malaysian-palm-oil" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>palm oil</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has a marked position in the world in the production of a large amount of oilseeds.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>After China, India is the <strong>second largest producer of groundnut</strong> and is<strong> third in position in the production of Rapeseed</strong> after China and Canada.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Oilseeds Producing Areas in India are:</strong> Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Food Security Mission (Oil Seeds and Oil Palm):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To augment the availability of edible oils and reduce the import of edible oils by increasing the production and productivity of oilseeds and oil palm.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Merger of NMOOP under NFSM:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>National Mission on Oilseeds &amp; Oil Palm (NMOOP)</strong> was<strong> launched in 2014-15</strong> and continued upto 2017-18.</li>
<li><strong>From 2018-19</strong> onwards, the NMOOP is<strong> being implemented under NFSM</strong> as NFSM-Oilseeds &amp; Oil palm comprising the <strong>sub components</strong> NFSM- <strong>Oilseeds,</strong> NFSM-<strong>Oil Palm</strong> and NFSM-<strong>Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multi-Pronged Strategy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Increasing<strong> Seed Replacement Ratio (SRR)</strong> with focus on varietal replacement.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>SRR</strong> is the percentage of area sown out of total area of crop planted in the season by using certified/quality seeds other than the farm saved seed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Productivity improvement</strong> by adoption of proven and <strong>climatic resilient technologies</strong> like water saving devices (sprinklers/rain gun), zero tillage, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/multi-cropping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>inter-cropping</strong></a>, relay cropping, strategic application of micronutrient and soil ameliorants.</li>
<li><strong>Area expansion</strong> through diversification of low yielding food grains.</li>
<li><strong>Capacity building.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Supporting cluster demonstrations</strong> for the adoption of good agricultural practices.</li>
<li><strong>Creation of 36 oilseed hubs</strong> with a focus on regional approach for larger availability of quality seeds.</li>
<li><strong>Post-harvest management</strong> at farm and village level.</li>
<li>Formation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmers-producer-organisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmer Producer Organisations.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Funding Pattern:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The cost sharing pattern between Central and State Governments, is in the<strong> ratio of 60:40 for general category of States</strong> and <strong>90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States.</strong></li>
<li>For few interventions, like purchase of breeder seeds by both State and Central seed producing agencies, supply of seed mini-kits to the farmers, <strong>100% funding is provided by Government of India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1720267" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8429,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Boosting Oilseed Production',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/making-india-atmanirbhar-in-oilseeds/article34616813.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Making India Atmanirbhar in oilseeds&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu Bussiness line on 21/05/2021. It talks about the challenges and policy measures to improvE the oilseed production in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Historically, member-countries of WTO questioned India on various agricultural issues including continued restrictions on pulses import, wheat stockpiling, short-term crop loans, export subsidies or minimum support price for various crops.</p>
<p>However, the latest attack is on India&rsquo;s ambitious plan to step up domestic oilseeds output. According to the recent directives, the government envisages to reduce dependence on vegetable oil imports (palm, soybean and sunflower oils) which cost roughly $10 billion.</p>
<p>In order to prevent countries from dragging India in another WTO litigation, India should ensure the incentives are well within the permissible limits.</p>
<p>However, in the long term, India must find ways where it can boost domestic oilseeds output even without direct financial incentives or monetary support to growers.</p>
<h3>Associated Challenges With Oilseed Imports</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade Policy:</strong> It is well known that more often than not, vegetable oil imports are excessive and speculatively driven. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, importers build large inventory of low-priced imported oils within the country, which depresses domestic oilseeds prices and discourages oilseed growers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Credit Period &amp; Import Debt-Trap:</strong> Overseas suppliers grant 90 to 150 days credit to Indian importers; but the cargo reaches Indian shores in about 10 days (palm oil) or 30 days (soft oils). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian importer sells the material immediately and enjoys liquidity for several months during which he indulges in rampant speculation and over-trading before he is required to remit payment.</li>
<li>This is leading to a never-ending import cycle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stagnant Production:</strong> Despite huge demand, oilseed production in India has got trapped at 31-32 million tonnes. We need to break this stagnation and aim to increase the output by at least two million tonnes a year, if not more.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increasing Green Box Subsidies:</strong> There is a need to increase public research spending in oilseed crops for development of biotic and abiotic stress tolerant varieties and other potential areas for yield breakthrough.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening the oilseed crop seed chain, particularly in groundnut to match the variety specific demand for higher yield, will help immensely.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621687760_image.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621687760_image.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Smart Agriculture:</strong> Ensuring availability of key physical (fertilizers, pesticides), financial (credit facilities, crop insurance) and technical inputs (extension services) in major crop ecological zones for oilseed crops.</li>
<li><strong>Marketing Reforms:</strong> Implement market reforms and policies, such as contract farming and publicprivate partnership in production and processing, to ensure a competitive market for oilseeds and edible oil along with adequate protective measures to avoid unfair competition from the international markets.</li>
<li><strong>Reducing Speculation:</strong> Reducing speculative and excessive imports of vegetable oil will immediately have a salutary effect on domestic oilseed prices. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, to prevent dangerous debt-trap, the credit period for vegoil import should be restricted to maximum 30 days for palm oil and 45 days for soft oils.</li>
<li>This will automatically discourage excessive imports, over-trading and speculation and encourage growers to plant more, improve agronomic practices and realise higher yields.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Improving local capacities and the social, economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture through delivery of technology and services and strengthening of institutions shall bring in the desired growth in the oilseed crop economy. This growth will be of immense benefit to the country as oilseeds are grown mainly in the disadvantaged regions.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #fc0000; background-color: #fffeeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Through creative policy intervention, the government can help boost oilseeds production without any major financial outlay. Analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8272,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'MACS 1407: Variety of Soybean',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Indian Scientists</strong> have developed <strong>a high-yielding and pest-resistant variety of soybean</strong>, called <strong>MACS 1407.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scientists from <strong>MACS- Agharkar Research Institute, Pune</strong>, in collaboration with <strong>Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi</strong> have developed it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MACS 1407:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Using the conventional cross breeding technique, scientists developed <strong>MACS 1407</strong> which gives <strong>39 quintals per hectare</strong> making it <strong>a high yielding variety.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>requires an average 43 days for 50% flowering</strong> and takes 104 days to mature from the date of sowing.</li>
<li>It has white coloured flowers, yellow seeds and black hilum. Its seeds have <strong>19.81% oil content, 41% protein content and show good germinability.</strong></li>
<li>Its thick stem, higher pod insertion (7 cm) from ground, and resistance to pod shattering make it suitable even for <strong>mechanical harvesting.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>suitable for rain-fed conditions of north- east India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is suitable for cultivation in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and North-Eastern states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Variety is also <strong>resistant to major insect-pests</strong> like girdle beetle, leaf miner, leaf roller, stem fly, aphids, white fly and defoliators.</li>
<li>Its seeds will be made available to farmers for sowing during the <strong>2022 <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kharif season</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is highly adaptive to sowing from <strong>20 June to 5 July</strong> without any yield loss. This makes it <strong>resistant to the vagaries of Monsoon</strong> as compared to other varieties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>2019, India produced around 90 million tons of soybean</strong>, widely cultivated as oil seeds as well as a cheap source of protein for animal feed and many packaged meals and is striving to be among the world&rsquo;s major producers of soybean.</li>
<li>High-yielding, disease resistant varieties of the legume can help achieve this target.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kharif Season</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Crops are <strong>sown</strong> from <strong>June to July</strong> and <strong>Harvesting</strong> is done in between <strong>September-October.</strong></li>
<li>Crops are: Rice, maize, jowar, bajra, tur, moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut, soyabean etc.</li>
<li>States are: Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Rabi Season</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Crops are <strong>sown</strong> from <strong>October to December</strong> and <strong>Harvesting</strong> is done in between <strong>April-June.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Crops are:</strong> Wheat, barley, peas, gram, mustard etc.</li>
<li><strong>States are:</strong> Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Zaid Season</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In between the rabi and the kharif seasons, there is <strong>a short season during the summer months</strong> known as the Zaid season.</li>
<li>Crops are: watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables and fodder crops.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1714852" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8068,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'PM-KUSUM',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the first farm-based solar power plant under the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/13-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme</strong></a> has come up in Jaipur (Rajasthan) district&rsquo;s Kotputli tehsil with a provision for production of 17 lakh units of electricity every year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1617438178_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1617438178_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The PM-KUSUM scheme was <strong>launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)</strong> to support installation of off-grid solar pumps in rural areas and reduce dependence on grid, in grid-connected areas.</li>
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-committees-formed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)</strong></a> had in February 2019 approved the launch of the scheme with the <strong>objective of providing financial and water security.</strong></li>
<li>The government&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/union-budget-2020-21-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Budget for 2020-21</strong></a> expanded the scope for the scheme with <strong>20 lakh farmers</strong> to be provided assistance to install <strong>standalone solar pumps;</strong> another <strong>15 lakh farmers</strong> to be given help to <strong>solarise their grid-connected pump sets.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will enable farmers to set up solar power generation capacity on their barren lands and to sell it to the grid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Components of the PM-KUSUM:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>PM-KUSUM consists of three components and aims to add a solar capacity of 30.8 GW by 2022:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Component-A:</strong> 10,000 MW of decentralised ground-mounted grid-connected renewable power plants.</li>
<li><strong>Component-B:</strong> Installation of two million standalone solar-powered agriculture pumps.</li>
<li><strong>Component-C:</strong> Solarisation of 1.5 million grid-connected solar-powered agriculture pumps.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Intended Benefits of the Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Helping Discoms:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Supports the financial health of<strong> electricity distribution companies (discoms)</strong> by reducing the burden of subsidy to the agriculture sector.</li>
<li>Help them meet the <strong>RPO (Renewable Purchase Obligation) targets.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Helping States:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Promotes <strong>decentralised solar power production, and reduces transmission losses.</strong></li>
<li>A potential way to <strong>reduce their subsidy outlay towards irrigation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Helping Farmers:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If farmers are<strong> able to sell surplus powers,</strong> they will be incentivised to save power and, in turn, it will mean the reasonable and efficient use of groundwater. This will also <strong>increase their income.</strong></li>
<li>This may also provide <strong>water security to farmers</strong> through the provision of assured water sources through solar water pumps &mdash; both off-grid and grid-connected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Helping Environment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Expansion of the irrigation</strong> cover by providing decentralized solar-based irrigation and moving away from polluting diesel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Logistics Issue:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a matter of <strong>domestic availability of equipment itself</strong>. While pumps are not a challenge for domestic suppliers, <strong>the availability of solar pumps is still an issue.</strong></li>
<li>Further, due to the strict <strong>DCR (Domestic Content Requirements)</strong>, the suppliers of solar equipment have to raise the domestic cell sourcing. However, <strong>there isn&rsquo;t enough domestic cell manufacturing capacity.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Omission of Small and Marginal Farmers:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There has been the relative <strong>omission of small and marginal farmers</strong>, as the scheme focuses on pumps of 3 HP and higher capacities.</li>
<li>It is due to this, solar pumps are not reaching the majority of farmers, as nearly <strong>85% of them are small &amp; marginal.</strong></li>
<li>Also, the reality of low water tables, especially in North India and parts of South India, which make small-sized pumps limiting for the farmer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Depleting Water Tables:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Due to power subsidies, the recurring cost of electricity is so low that farmers keep on pumping water and <strong>the water table is going down.</strong></li>
<li>In a solar installation, it becomes a more <strong>difficult job to upgrade to higher capacity pumps in case the water table falls</strong> because one will have to add new solar panels which are expensive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Consensus between the Centre and States is the key to the success of this decentralised solar power scheme. Any reform in India&rsquo;s power space cannot take place unless there is <strong>consensus between the Centre, States and stakeholders</strong>.</li>
<li>Apart from switching to solar power, <strong>farmers should also switch over to drip irrigation mode</strong> which saves water and power with increased crop output.</li>
<li>For effective implementation and serious participation by stakeholders, <strong>the scheme should be more attractive in terms of benchmark prices</strong> in view of the challenges on account of higher costs of implementation and comprehensive maintenance.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/first-farm-based-solar-power-plant-comes-up-in-rajasthan/article34226558.ece#:~:text=The%20first%20farm%2Dbased%20solar,units%20of%20electricity%20every%20year." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7715,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Certified Jute Seeds',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Textiles</strong> has launched a <strong>Certified Jute Seed Distribution Plan</strong> under <strong>Jute ICARE Program.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Jute Corporation of</strong> <strong>India (JCI)</strong> had in 2019, <strong>signed an MoU</strong> (Memorandum of Understanding) with <strong>National Seeds Corporation</strong> for <strong>commercial distribution of 1,000 Metric Tonne certified jute seeds</strong> for the year 2021-22.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Certified Jute Seed Distribution Plan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>expand usage of certified seeds to over 55% area</strong> under Jute Cultivation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Certified seed</strong> shall be the progeny of foundation seed and its production shall be so handled as to maintain specific genetic identity and purity according to the standards prescribed for the crop being certified.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will extend the benefit of certified seeds to nearly <strong>5 lakh farmers.</strong></li>
<li>Usage of certified jute seeds has <strong>resulted in improved quality of jute by 1 grade</strong> and <strong>enhanced productivity by 15%</strong> thereby <strong>increasing income of jute farmers by about Rs. 10,000/hectare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jute ICARE Program:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Launch: Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise for Jute (Jute ICARE)</strong> was launched in <strong>2015.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The programme was <strong>initiated by the National Jute Board (NJB)</strong> in association with <strong>Central Research Institute for Research in Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF)</strong> &amp; J<strong>ute Corporation of India (JCI).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aims:</strong> At <strong>mechanization</strong> in jute farming in a farmer-friendly way and <strong>accelerated retting using microbial consortium</strong> for improved income for jute farmers.</li>
<li><strong>Following Inputs are Provided:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>100% <strong>Certified Seeds</strong> at subsidized rate.</li>
<li>Demonstration of <strong>scientific jute cultivation practices</strong> for adoption at farmers' fields with mechanical intervention distribution of seed drill / Nail Weeder/Cycle Weeder.</li>
<li>Demonstration of <strong>Microbial retting using CRIJAF SONA</strong>, a microbial consortium and also distribution to the farmers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Retting</strong> is the process of extracting fiber from the stem of the plants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>So far, Government has <strong>supported 2.60 lakhs farmers</strong> under ICARE Program.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Steps Taken to Promote Jute Industry:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Increased in MSP:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/msp-raised-for-rabi-crops" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Price</strong></a> (MSP) for Jute has been increased from Rs. 2400 in 2014-15 to Rs. 4225 in 2020-21.</li>
<li><strong>Retting Tanks:</strong> Construction of 46000 Retting Tanks has been approved for increasing productivity, quality and income of Jute Farmers, which will be done by the convergence of Central Government Schemes like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MNREGA</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scheme-for-creation-of-infrastructure-for-agro-processing-cluster-pmksy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PMKSY</strong></a>, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RKVY</strong></a> and ICARE. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will <strong>reduce retting time by 7 days</strong> and <strong>generate 46 lakh man-days of employment</strong> for the rural mass of Jute Growing States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>J<strong>ute Packaging Materials Act, 1987:</strong> Through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mandatory-jute-bag-packaging" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jute Packaging Materials</strong></a> (JPM) Act, the Government is protecting the interests of about 4 lakh workers and 40 lakh farm families.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Act provides for the compulsory use of jute packaging material in the supply and distribution of certain commodities in the interests of production of raw jute and jute packaging material, and of persons engaged in the production thereof, and for matters connected therewith.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jute Geo-Textiles (JGT):</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-approves-nutrient-based-subsidy-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs</strong></a> (CCEA) has approved a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-technical-textiles-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Technical Textiles Mission</strong></a> which includes Jute <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coir-geo-textile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geo-Textiles.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>JGT is one of the most important diversified jute products. It can be applied in many fields like <strong>civil engineering, soil erosion control, road pavement construction and protection of river banks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jute SMART:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is an <strong>e-government initiative</strong> which was launched in December 2016 to promote transparency in the jute sector.</li>
<li>It provides an integrated platform for <strong>procurement of sacking by Government agencies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collaboration between the National Jute Board and the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>Jute Design Cell</strong> for development of Jute Shopping Bags and Lifestyle Accessories has been set up at the Innovative Centre for Natural Fibres (ICNF) of National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Jute<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613629665_Image%201.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613629665_Image 1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 25-35&deg;C</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 150-250 cm</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Well drained alluvial soil.</li>
<li><strong>Production:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is the <strong>largest producer of jute.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>mainly concentrated in eastern India</strong> because of the <strong>rich alluvial soil of Ganga-Brahmaputra delta.</strong></li>
<li>Major jute producing states include <strong>West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is known as the <strong>golden fibre.</strong> It is used in making <strong>gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets and other artefacts.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Initiatives:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Golden Fibre Revolution and Technology Mission on Jute and Mesta</strong> are two of the government initiatives to boost jute production in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Due to its <strong>high cost</strong>, it is <strong>losing market to synthetic fibres and packing materials, particularly nylon.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1698178#:~:text=Program%20To%20Benefit%20Over%205%20Lakh%20Farmers&amp;text=Union%20Minister%20for%20Textiles%20and,diversified%20and%20Technical%20textile%20products." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7230,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Problems of Punjab’s Monoculture',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Amidst the ongoing <strong>farmer&rsquo;s protests,</strong> questions are being raised on the sustainability of <strong>paddy-wheat cultivation,</strong> especially in Punjab.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Monoculture in Punjab:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Monoculture is the agricultural practice of growing<strong> a single crop, plant, or livestock species, variety, or breed in a field or farming system</strong> at a time.</li>
<li>Wheat and paddy constitute about<strong> 84.6% of the total area</strong> planted to all crops compromising on pulses, maize, bajra and oilseeds cotton.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problem of Monoculture:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Growing the same crops year after year on the<strong> same land increases vulnerability to pest and disease attacks.</strong> The more the crop and genetic diversity, the more difficult it is for insects and pathogens to devise a way to pierce through plant resistance.</li>
<li>Wheat and paddy cannot also, unlike pulses and legumes, <strong>fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.</strong> Their continuous cultivation without any crop rotation, then, leads to depletion of soil nutrients and growing dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wheat vs Paddy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Wheat:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is<strong> naturally adapted</strong> to Punjab&rsquo;s <strong>soil and agro climatic conditions.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a<strong> cool season crop</strong> that can be grown only in regions particularly north of the Vindhyas where day temperatures are within the early-thirty degrees Celsius range right through March.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its cultivation is desirable for<strong> national food security.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The state&rsquo;s wheat yields at<strong> 5 tonnes-plus per hectare,</strong> as against the national average of <strong>3.4-3.5 tonnes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Paddy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It requires <strong>a huge amount of water.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Farmers usually irrigate wheat five times. In paddy, 30 irrigations or more are given.</li>
<li><strong>Punjab&rsquo;s groundwater table</strong> has been <strong>declining by 0.5 meters per annum</strong> on an average due to paddy and the state&rsquo;s policy of supplying<strong> free power for irrigation.</strong> It has encouraged farmers to grow long-duration water-guzzling varieties like <strong>Pusa-44.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pusa-44</strong> has high yield but a <strong>long duration growth period.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Long duration means transplanting by<strong> mid-May (Peak Summer),</strong> to enable harvesting from October and timely planting of the next wheat crop. But being peak summer time, it also translated into <strong>very high water requirements.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Paddy, being <strong>a warm season crop</strong> is not very sensitive to high temperature stress thus can be grown in much of <strong>eastern, central and southern India,</strong> where<strong> water is sufficiently available.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009</strong> barred any nursery-sowing and transplanting of paddy before<strong> May 15 and June 15, respectively.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Act was passed for the <strong>conservation of the groundwater.</strong></li>
<li>Problem with the Act:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If transplanting of paddy was permitted only after the monsoon rains arrived in mid-June, it also <strong>pushed harvesting to October-end,</strong> leaving a narrow time window for <strong>sowing wheat before the November 15 deadline.</strong></li>
<li>Farmers, then, had no option other than <strong>burning the paddy stubble left behind.</strong> Simply put, groundwater conservation in Punjab ended up causing <strong>air pollution</strong> in Delhi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reducing <strong>acreage area</strong> for wheat and promoting cultivation of <strong>alternate crops</strong> like coarse grains in Punjab will lead to crop diversification in the region bringing in better soil resilience and added nutritional benefits to the locals.</li>
<li><strong>Shifting Paddy cultivation</strong> to eastern and southern states, planting of <strong>only shorter-duration</strong> varieties of paddy crop which mature early without any effect on production, <strong>metering of electricity</strong> and <strong>direct seeding of paddy</strong> further address the issue of monoculture and depleting groundwater.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/punjab-farmer-protests-paddy-wheat-farm-laws-7106605/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7226,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Alternative to MSP Crops',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/punjab-haryana-need-to-look-beyond-msp-crops/article33339838.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Punjab, Haryana need to look beyond MSP crops&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Hindu on 16/12/2020. It talks about the issues related to the proliferation of wheat and rice farming in the green revolution belt states.</p>
</div>
<p><a href="/mains-practice-question/question-97#:~:text=A%20large%20increase%20in%20crop,land%20using%20new%20farming%20techniques." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Green Revolution in India</a>, provides the package of technology and policies that produced quick results in increasing food grain production (mainly Wheat &amp; Rice). This enabled India to move from a country facing a severe shortage of staple food to becoming self-sufficient.</p>
<p>The region comprising Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, was an early adopter of Green Revolution technology. It was also a major beneficiary of various policies adopted to spread modern agriculture technology in the country.</p>
<p>The progress and specialisation towards these two crops served the great national goal of securing the food security of the country.</p>
<p>However, during the mid-1980s, some inimical trends related to the rice-wheat crop system in general and paddy cultivation surfaced followed by serious second-generation problems of the Green Revolution.</p>
<p>Therefore, in tackling agri-crises, these core Green Revolution States must shift to high-value crops and promote non-farm activities.</p>
<h3>Factors for Promotion of Wheat &amp; Rice Production</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>State Guarantee For Production:</strong> Procurement of marketed surplus of paddy (rice) and wheat at <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minimum Support Price (MSP)</a> completely insulated farmers against any price or market risks.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the same time, it ensured a reasonably stable flow of income from these two crops.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technological Advancement:</strong> Over time, the technological advantage of rice and wheat over other competing crops further increased as public sector agriculture research and development allocated their best resources and scientific manpower to these two crops.</li>
<li><strong>Role of Input Subsidies:</strong> Public and private investments in water and land and input subsidies were the other favourable factors.</li>
</ul>
<p>Thus, wheat in rabi and paddy in Kharif turned out to be the best in terms of productivity, income, price and yield risk and ease of cultivation among all the field crops (cereals, pulses, oilseeds).</p>
<h3>Issues Related to the First Green Revolution</h3>
<p>A large number of reports and policy documents highlighted the adverse effect of green revolution crops (especially paddy cultivation) on natural resources, the ecology, the environment, and fiscal resources.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Environmental Effects:</strong> The biggest casualty of paddy cultivation and the policy of free power for pumping out groundwater for irrigation is the depletion of groundwater resources.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the last decade, the water table has shown a decline in 84% observation wells in Punjab and 75% in Haryana.</li>
<li>It is feared that Punjab and Haryana will run out of groundwater after some years if the current rate of overexploitation of water is not reversed.</li>
<li>Further, in the last couple of years, the burning of paddy stubble and straw has become another serious environmental and health hazard in the whole region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Plateauing of Income &amp; Productivity:</strong> There are serious concerns about plateauing productivity and stagnant income from rice-wheat cultivation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the productivity of rice and wheat reaching a plateau, there is pressure to seek an increase in MSP to increase income. However, demand and supply do not favour an increase in MSP in real terms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fiscal Challenge:</strong> In India, the per capita intake of rice and wheat is declining and consumers&rsquo; preference is shifting towards other foods. However, rice and wheat procurement in the country has more than doubled after 2006-07.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this demand-supply mismatch, the country does not find an easy way to dispose of such large stocks and they are creating stress on the fiscal resources of the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Entrepreneurial Skills of Farmers:</strong> Procurement of almost the entire market arrivals of rice and wheat at MSP for more than 50 years has affected the entrepreneurial skills of farmers to sell their produce in a competitive market where prices are determined by demand and supply and competition.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Alternative To Wheat &amp; Rice:</strong> The implication of all these changes is that farmers in the region will find it difficult to increase their income from rice-wheat cultivation and they must be provided alternative choices to keep their income growing.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Enabling the farmers of the green revolution belt to move toward high-paying horticulture crops requires institutional arrangements on price assurance such as <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/agricultural-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contract farming</a>.</li>
<li>The solution to the ecological, environmental and economic challenges facing agriculture in the traditional Green Revolution states is not in legalising MSP but to shift from MSP crops to high-value crops and in the promotion of non-farm activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strong Forward &amp; Backward Linkages:</strong> Green revolution belt states need to promote economic activities with strong links with agriculture tailored to State specificities. Some options for this are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Promotion of food processing in formal and informal sectors;</li>
<li>A big push to post-harvest value addition and modern value chains;</li>
<li>A network of agro- and agri-input industries; high-tech agriculture</li>
<li>Direct link of production and producers to consumers and consumers without involving intermediaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The traditional Green Revolution States would need to shed &ldquo;business as usual&rdquo; approach and embrace an innovative development strategy in agriculture and non-agriculture to secure and improve the future of farming and rural youth.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #defbfc; border-color: #02b2b8;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%;">
<p><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question<br /><br /></strong></em>Green revolution served the great national goal of securing the food security of the country. Critically examine.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aYwWeEcbZpE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/fight-child-malnutrition-phase-1-of-nfhs-2019-20-shows-worrying-reversals-in-stunting/2150039/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;Fight child malnutrition&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Financial Express on December 15<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7216,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'PM-KUSUM',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/pm-kusum-will-shine-when-implemented-fully/article33309349.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;PM-KUSUM will shine when implemented fully&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu Business line on 12/12/2020. It talks about the prospects of the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme.</p>
</div>
<p>The farmer focus of Budget 2018 has given a fillip to the farmer-oriented scheme involving decentralised solar power production up to 28,250 MW, known as <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/13-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme.</strong></a></p>
<p>The KUSUM scheme would provide additional income to farmers, by giving them the option to sell additional power to the grid, through solar power projects set up on their barren lands.</p>
<p>If implemented well, the PM-KUSUM scheme can be the ultimate game-changer for energy security and the rural economy in India.</p>
<h3>Component of the PM-KUSUM</h3>
<p>PM-KUSUM consists of three components and aims to add a solar capacity of 30.8 GW by 2022:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Component-A: 10,000 MW of decentralised ground-mounted grid-connected renewable power plants.</li>
<li>Component-B: Installation of two million standalone solar-powered agriculture pumps.</li>
<li>Component-C: Solarisation of 1.5 million grid-connected solar-powered agriculture pumps.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Intended Benefits of the Scheme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Helping Discoms:</strong> Electricity for agriculture is highly subsidised and is often termed as the main cause for rapid groundwater depletion and poor financial position of Discoms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This scheme will support the financial health of Discoms by reducing the burden of subsidy to the agriculture sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Helping States:</strong> The scheme will promote decentralised solar power production, and reduce transmission losses.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For state governments, this is a potential way to reduce their subsidy outlay towards irrigation.</li>
<li>Apart from it, the scheme will help States meet the <a href="/pdf/1586771380-renewable-energy-certificates.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RPOs (renewable purchase obligation)</strong> </a>targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Helping Farmers:</strong> If farmers are able to sell surplus powers, they will be incentivised to save power and, in turn, it will mean the reasonable and efficient use of groundwater.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This may also provide water security to farmers through the provision of assured water sources through solar water pumps &mdash; both off-grid and grid-connected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Helping Environment:</strong> Another intended benefit of this scheme will result in the expansion of the irrigation cover by providing decentralized solar-based irrigation and moving away from polluting diesel.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This should also fill the void in solar power production in the intermediate range between rooftops and large parks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Logistics Issue:</strong> There is a matter of domestic availability of equipment itself. While pumps are not a challenge for domestic suppliers, the availability of solar pumps is still an issue.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, due to the strict <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-and-usa-at-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>DCR (Domestic Content Requirements)</strong></a>, the suppliers of solar equipment have to raise the domestic cell sourcing. However, there isn&rsquo;t enough domestic cell manufacturing capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Omission of Small and Marginal Farmers:</strong> There has been the relative omission of small and marginal farmers, as the scheme focuses on pumps of 3 HP and higher capacities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is due to this, solar pumps are not reaching the majority of farmers, as nearly 85% of them are small &amp; marginal.</li>
<li>Also, the reality of low water tables, especially in North India and parts of South India, which make small-sized pumps limiting for the farmer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Depleting Water Tables:</strong> Due to power subsidies, the recurring cost of electricity is so low that farmers keep on pumping water and the water table is going down. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a solar installation, it becomes a more difficult job to upgrade to higher capacity pumps in case the water table falls because you will have to add new solar panels which are expensive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bring States Together:</strong> Consensus between the Centre and States is the key to the success of this decentralised solar power scheme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any reform in India&rsquo;s power space cannot take place unless there is consensus between the Centre, States and stakeholders. Till then, it will be like a half-baked cake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainable Farming:</strong> Apart from switching to solar power, farmers should also switch over to drip irrigation mode which saves water and power with increased crop output.</li>
<li><strong>Lucrative Solar Energy Pricing:</strong> For effective implementation and serious participation by stakeholders, the scheme should be more attractive in terms of benchmark prices in view of the challenges on account of higher costs of implementation and comprehensive maintenance.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The PM-KUSUM scheme, like many government schemes, is certainly well-intentioned, but policy interventions like manufacturing in India for solar cells, or even phasing out power subsidies, might give it the legs to deliver on its promise.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608035499_image0.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608035499_image0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f7f8ff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>PM KUSUM scheme is capable of changing the energy dynamics of Indian agriculture. Critically Analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VS98EhiDkfs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/time-for-indias-net-zero-target/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Time for India&rsquo;s net zero target&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Economic Times on December 13<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7087,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Artificial Intelligence & Agriculture',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/artificial-intelligence-farmer-agriculture-7069520/lite/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;AI for the farmer&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 26/11/2020. It talks about the application of artificial intelligence in Indian agriculture.</p>
</div>
<p>As the world population continues to grow and land becomes more scarce, people need to get creative and become more efficient about how agriculture is done. This would require the use of less land to produce more crops and increasing productivity and yield.</p>
<p>Moreover, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian agriculture faces multiple challenges</strong></a> like high dependence on monsoon, resource intensiveness &ndash; heavy use of resources (water, inorganic fertilisers and pesticides), degradation of land and loss of soil fertility, and low per hectare yield, among others.</p>
<p>In this context, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></a> (AI) can play a catalytic role in improving crop yield from various factors like the climate changes, population growth, employment issues and food security problems.</p>
<h3>Scope of AI in the Agriculture</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Augmenting Entire Supply Chain:</strong> Worldwide, agriculture is a $5 trillion industry, and AI technologies can help to yield healthier crops, control pests, monitor soil and growing conditions, organize data for farmers, help with the workload, and improve a wide range of agriculture-related tasks in the entire food supply chain.</li>
<li><strong>Opportunity for High Growth:</strong> Globally, AI applications in agriculture reached a valuation of nearly $ 1 billion in 2019 and this is estimated to grow to almost $8 billion by 2030, a nearly 25% growth.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in this scenario, the Indian agri-tech market, presently valued at $204 million, has reached just 1% of its estimated potential of $ 24 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Huge Agricultural Data Resource:</strong> Due to the diversity of its soil types, climate and topography, India provides a great opportunity for the data scientists and AI experts to develop state of the art AI tools and solutions for agriculture.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian farms and farmers provide vast and rich data to help create AI solutions for not just the country but the world at large. And this is one of the factors that makes the opportunity for AI in Indian agriculture unparalleled.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Use of AI in Agriculture</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>AI Helping Analyze Farm Data:</strong> Farms produce hundreds of thousands of data points on the ground daily. With the help of AI, farmers can now analyze a variety of things in real-time such as weather conditions, temperature, water usage or soil conditions collected from their farm to better inform their decisions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Farmers are also using AI to create seasonal forecasting models to improve agricultural accuracy and increase productivity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Precision Agriculture:</strong> Precision agriculture uses AI technology to aid in detecting diseases in plants, pests, and poor plant nutrition on farms.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AI sensors can detect and target weeds and then decide which herbicides to apply within the right buffer zone.</li>
<li>This helps to prevent over-application of herbicides and excessive toxins that find their way in our food.</li>
<li>It would increase productivity by introducing precision agriculture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tackling the Labour Challenge:</strong> With fewer people entering the farming profession, most farms are facing the challenge of a workforce shortage.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One solution to help with this shortage of workers is AI agriculture bots. These bots augment the human labour workforce and are used in various forms. For example:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These bots can harvest crops at a higher volume and faster pace than human labourers, more accurately identify and eliminate weeds, and reduce costs for farms by having around the clock labour force.</li>
<li>Additionally, farmers are beginning to turn to chatbots for assistance. Chatbots help answer a variety of questions and provide advice and recommendations on specific farm problems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>With the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-s-protest#:~:text=Three%20Farm%20Bills%20that%20are,(Amendment)%20Bill%2C%202020." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> recent reforms in the Agriculture sector</strong></a>, there is a likelihood of increased investments in contract farming and infusion of technology for better yields and productivity. This will further push the adoption of AI in agriculture. Further, In order to help these AI solutions scale increased investments needed, both from the public and private sector.</p>
<p>In this context, the recently concluded <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mega-virtual-summit-on-artificial-intelligence#:~:text=The%20Ministry%20of%20Electronics%20and,October%205%2D9%2C%202020." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Responsible AI for Social Empowerment Summit &ndash; RAISE</strong></a> &ndash; 2020 Summit has helped provide a platform for global stakeholders to come together to finalize the roadmap for using AI for the public good.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606478360_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606478360_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffef5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Artificial Intelligence can play a catalytic role in improving food security in India. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NLNSwPa1PuQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/need-new-laws-for-real-time-tax-dispute-resolution/2136758/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Need new laws for real-time tax dispute resolution&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Financial Express on November 26<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6859,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Stubble Waste Management',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/wealth-from-stubble-burning-farmers-farmers-air-pollution-delhi-punjab-haryana-6884982/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Wealth from stubble&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 27/10/2020. It talks about the issue of stubble burning and suggests actionable programmes to address the same.</p>
</div>
<p>Every winter in northern India starts with the precarious news of dangerous levels of air pollution resulting from the Paddy <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>stubble burning</strong></a>. This is because the quantity of the farm waste is humongous and the window for disposing of it is too small.</p>
<p>The regularity of air pollution from stubble burning led the state and central government to develop business models to discourage stubble burning and promote farm <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/waste-to-energy-plants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>waste to energy</strong> </a>projects.</p>
<p>However, despite these interventions the farmers have less incentive to collect the stubble and subsequently the stubble burning issue largely remains unsolved. Therefore, stubble management should be broadly focussed on-field management, alternate cropping, processing to biofuels and proper implementation of existing schemes.</p>
<h3>Reason For Stubble Burning</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Stubble burning is the act of setting fire to crop residue to remove them from the field to sow the next crop.</li>
<li>In order to plant next winter crop (Rabi crop), farmers in Northern India have to move in a very short interval and if they are late, due to short winters these days, they might face considerable losses.</li>
<li>Therefore, burning is the cheapest and fastest way to get rid of the stubble.</li>
<li>Further, if stubble is left in the field, pests like termites may attack the upcoming crop.</li>
<li>Also, the precarious economic condition of farmers doesn&rsquo;t allow them to use expensive mechanised methods to remove stubble.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues in Stubble Waste to Energy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lax Implementation:</strong> In 2019, the governments of Punjab and Haryana announced Rs 2,500/acre as a bonus to small farmers who avoid burning stubble but there has been the negligible implementation of this scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Adverse Impact of Laws:</strong> Implementation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/punjab-water-law-responsible-for-air-pollution-in-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act (2009)</strong> </a>made the time period of stubble burning coincident with the onset of winter in Northern India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Late transplanting of paddy during Kharif season to prevent water loss as directed by PPSW Act (2009) had left farmers with little time between harvesting and preparing the field for the next crop and hence farmers are resorting to the burning of stubble.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inadequate Supply as Raw Material:</strong> The costs of establishing a year-round &ldquo;bankable&rdquo; supply chain for paddy straw bales is another deterrent.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Albeit with limitations related to offtake agreements, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/biofuel-day-2#:~:text=The%20Policy%20allows%20use%20of,of%20National%20Biofuel%20Coordination%20Committee.&amp;text=5000%20crore%20in%206%20years,as%20compared%20to%201G%20biofuels." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Policy on Biofuels</strong></a> was not able to achieve intended targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Competition With Solar &amp; Wind Energy:</strong> The government has actively supported the biomass power sector by provisioning for a high feed-in tariff.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, tariff orders for biomass gasifier/biogas power became inconsequential with solar and wind power tariffs declining to 33% of that of biomass power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>On-field Management:</strong> It involves mulching the stubble into fields by customised machinery. In order to promote mulching there is a need for:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Providing subsidy for purchasing equipment.</li>
<li>Establishing Farm Machinery Banks for custom hiring of in-situ crop residue management machinery.</li>
<li>Furthermore, Co-operative societies of farmers, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/self-help-groups-shgs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>self-help groups</strong></a>, registered farmers societies/farmers groups, private entrepreneurs for establishment of farm machinery banks or custom hiring centres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alternate Cropping:</strong> There is a need to promote alternatives to wheat and rice, which could be the cultivation of silage crops (hybrid sorghum, hybrid napier grass, maize).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These alternatives have a high yield, enabling farmers to meet the feedstock needs of cattle, can also be used to produce biofuels plants and the cultivated area can be interspersed with horticulture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Adequate Supply with Biomass Depots:</strong> It is essential to undertake on-field baling of stubble, aggregate bales in a depot and enter into &ldquo;bankable&rdquo; agreements for supplies to Bio-Energy Plants.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to establish a biomass depot, there should be fiscal incentives for enabling green entrepreneurship.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Turning Stubble to Advanced Biofuels:</strong> Stubble should be used for production of gaseous <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>biofuels</strong></a> like producer gas, biogas and green hydrogen.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/satat-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SATAT scheme</strong></a> is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Stubble burning poses a challenge to public health. However, by processing agriculture residues to biofuels and compost will benefit many more farmer households, with manifold collateral benefits that accrue from assured availability of sustainable energy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603801502_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603801502_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="515" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fefff2;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Effective stubble management can convert the crisis of public health into an opportunity of sustainable energy. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_mO76JsnMB0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/an-indian-spacex-policy-to-tap-private-sector-talent-for-space-taking-shape/2113451/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;An Indian SpaceX&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Financial Express on October 23<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6650,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Xoo Infection: Rice',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists from the <strong>Centre for Plant Molecular Biology (CPMB)</strong> have uncovered the mechanism by which a bacterium called Xoo interacts with rice plants and causes disease.</p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601885203_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601885203_image2.jpg" width="169" height="225" style="float: right;" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo)</strong> causes a <strong>serious bacterial leaf blight disease in rice</strong>. It is also known as <strong>Bacterial blight</strong>.</li>
<li>Xoo is a <strong>gram-negative bacteria</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transmission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Xoo infection <strong>causes huge yield losses</strong> to rice cultivation throughout the world.</li>
<li>Xoo infection initiates from the leaf sheath and eventually spreads to mature leaves through the water flow under optimum temperature and high humidity conditions <strong>(Vascular disease)</strong>.</li>
<li>Since <strong>rice paddies are flooded</strong> throughout most of the growing season, Xoo may easily spread among crops; bacteria travel through the water from infected plants to the roots and leaves of neighbouring rice plants.</li>
<li><strong>Wind</strong> may also help spread the Xoo bacteria to other crops and rice paddies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on Other Crops:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition to rice, Xoo <strong>may infect other plants</strong>, such as rice cut-grass (<em>Leersia oryzoides</em>), Chinese sprangletop (<em>Leptochloa chinensis</em>), and common grasses and weeds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prevention:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>most-common method of defending against rice bacterial blight</strong> is the <strong>cultivation of rice varieties with genes that confer resistance to Xoo infection</strong>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Over 30 resistance genes, termed <strong>Xa1 to Xa33</strong>, have been identified in rice plants, and some, such as Xa21, have been integrated into the genomes of commercial rice strains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, this method <strong>involves breeding or gene manipulation techniques</strong> that are laborious and time-consuming.</li>
<li>Also, the introduced resistance genes <strong>provide only race-specific resistance</strong> that will prevent infections by only specific strains of Xoo.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Approach:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists from <strong>Centre for Plant Molecular Biology (CPMB)</strong>, Osmania University, <strong>Hyderabad</strong> are working to identify and develop few molecules which are derived either from the Xoo bacterium or from the infected rice cell walls.</li>
<li>Treatment of rice with <strong>cellulase, a cell wall degrading enzyme secreted by Xoo</strong> induces rice immune responses and protects rice from subsequent infections by Xoo.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The cellulase protein has the <strong>features of a typical vaccine</strong> as it is a potent elicitor of rice immune responses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rice</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kharif Crop</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 22-32&deg;C with high humidity.</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 150-300 cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Deep clayey and loamy soil.</li>
<li>Some of the <strong>most important rice-growing regions</strong> are Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, particularly the (Konkan coast) along with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Development of a dense network of <strong>canal irrigation and tubewells</strong> have made it possible to grow rice in areas of less rainfall such as <strong>Punjab, Haryana</strong> and <strong>western Uttar Pradesh</strong> and parts of <strong>Rajasthan</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In states like Assam, West Bengal and Odisha, <strong>three crops of paddy</strong> are grown in a year. These are <strong>Aus, Aman</strong> and <strong>Boro</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>National Food Security Mission, Hybrid Rice Seed Production</strong> and <strong>Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana</strong> are few government initiatives to support rice cultivation.</li>
<li>Diseases in rice are mainly caused by <strong>bacteria, viruses, or fungi</strong>. Few major diseases are: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sheath blight:</strong> Caused by fungus <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sheath-blight-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rhizoctonia solani</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Brown Spot:</strong> One of the most common and most damaging <strong>fungal diseases</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Tungro:</strong> Caused by the combination of two viruses, which are transmitted by leafhoppers.</li>
<li><strong>Bakanae:</strong> Seedborne <strong>fungal disease</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Blast (node and neck):</strong> Caused by the <strong>fungus Magnaporthe oryzae</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gram-negative Bacteria</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bacteria</strong> can be classified into <strong>two groups</strong> on the basis of the <strong>differences in the cell envelopes</strong> and the manner in which they <strong>respond to the staining procedure</strong> developed by the Danish bacteriologist Gram viz., <strong>those that take up the gram stain are Gram positive</strong> and the <strong>others that do not are called Gram negative bacteria</strong>.</li>
<li>Gram-negative bacteria <strong>cause infections</strong> including <strong>pneumonia</strong>, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis in healthcare settings.</li>
<li>Gram-negative bacteria are <strong>resistant to multiple drugs</strong> and are increasingly resistant to most available antibiotics. These bacteria have <strong>built-in abilities</strong> to find new ways to be resistant and can pass along genetic materials that allow other bacteria to become drug-resistant as well.</li>
<li>Gram-negative infections include those caused by <strong>Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa</strong>, and <strong>E. coli.,</strong> as well as many other less common bacteria.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Centre for Plant Molecular Biology</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>CPMB is <strong>one of the 7 Centers of Excellence</strong> created in the country with initial financial assistance from the <strong>Department of Biotechnology</strong>, Government of India.</li>
<li>Currently it is one of the leading Centers of the country in <strong>Plant Molecular Biology</strong> (study of molecular basis of plant life).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1661596" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6565,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'EPCA on Early Burning of Crop Residue',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a>-appointed<strong> Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA)</strong> raised concerns about early <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>burning of crop residue</strong></a> in Punjab and Haryana.</p>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research)</strong> </a>under the Central government estimate which uses the<strong> INSAT-3, 3D</strong> and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/national-aeronautics-and-space-administration-nasa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)</strong></a> satellite, the fire counts have increased from zero to 42 in a few days.</li>
<li>In 2019, about 9.8 million tonnes of the total estimated crop residue of 20 million tonnes were burnt in Punjab. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similarly, in Haryana, of the total 7 million tonnes, 1.24 million tonnes of stubble were burnt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>EPCA was constituted under<strong> section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986</strong> for the <strong>National Capital Region</strong> in compliance with the <strong>Supreme Court order dated January 1998.</strong></li>
<li>It has the power to take action<strong> suo-moto,</strong> or on the <strong>basis of complaints</strong> made by any individual, representative body or organization functioning in the field of environment.</li>
<li>It takes all necessary steps for controlling vehicular pollution, ensuring compliance of fuel quality standards, monitoring and coordinating action for traffic planning and management.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>INSAT</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Indian National Satellite (INSAT)</strong> system is a constellation of operational communication satellites placed in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/types-of-orbit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geo-stationary orbit.</strong></a></li>
<li>Established in <strong>1983</strong> with commissioning of INSAT-1B.</li>
<li>The constellation of INSAT System consists of operational satellites, namely &ndash; INSAT-3A, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4CR, 3DR.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SAFAR</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)</strong> is a national initiative introduced by the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)</strong> to measure the air quality of a metropolitan city, by measuring the overall pollution level and the <strong>location-specific air quality</strong> of the city.</li>
<li>The system is<strong> indigenously</strong> developed by the <strong>Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM),</strong> Pune and is operationalized by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-fani" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Stubble Burning</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>traditional practice</strong> in <strong>Punjab and Haryana</strong> to clean off the rice chaff to prepare the fields for winter sowing.</li>
<li>It begins<strong> around October and peaks in November,</strong> coinciding with the withdrawal of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>southwest monsoon.</strong></a></li>
<li>The<strong> pollutants and the Particulate Matter (PM)</strong> from the chaff, along with other sources of pollution in Delhi, makes winter air quality worse in Delhi and proximity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Increase in Rice Acreage: Subsidies and assured procurement</strong> of rice have led to a rise in the rice acreage.</li>
<li><strong>Delayed sowing</strong> of paddy to late June to discourage groundwater extraction as per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/punjab-water-law-responsible-for-air-pollution-in-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act 2009.</strong></a></li>
<li>This led to a delayed harvesting, stubble burning coincides perfectly with the withdrawal of southwest monsoon.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This time the<strong> southward shift of subtropical jet stream</strong> happens causing a <strong>westward wind pattern in the northern part of India</strong> and thus spread of pollutants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology:</strong> Increased and modernised <strong>farm mechanisation</strong> extract the rice grains only and leave large quantities of rice stubble behind. Earlier, this excess crop was used by farmers for cooking, as hay to keep their animals warm or even as extra insulation for homes.</li>
<li><strong>High Silica Content:</strong> Rice straw is considered useless as fodder in the case of non-basmati rice, because of its <strong>high silica content. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The stubble burning emits large amounts of toxic pollutants in the atmosphere which contain harmful gases like <strong>methane (CH<sup>4</sup>), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile organic compound (VOC) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.</strong></li>
<li>The burning of wheat straw<strong> reduces the soil fertility,</strong> besides polluting the environment.</li>
<li>Additionally, the heat generated by stubble burning penetrates into the soil, leading to the loss of moisture and useful microbes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>centralized control room</strong> must be set up to issue directions both for ensuring that appropriate technology to tackle this issue is within the reach of farmers and also ensure enforcement of non-compliance.</li>
<li>The establishment of the <strong>Farm Machinery Banks (FMB)</strong> for custom hiring of in-situ crop residue management machinery.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The most efficient technology is the <strong>Turbo Happy Seeder (THS)</strong> machine. It not only cuts and uproots the stubble but can also drill wheat seeds in the soil that have just been cleared up. The straw is simultaneously thrown over the sown seeds to form a <strong>mulch cover.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Stopping crop residue burning will aid the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-lists-cities-with-no-clean-up-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Clean Air Programme</strong> </a>(NCAP), which aims to reduce pollution by 20-30% in annual PM concentration by 2024.</li>
<li>An expansion of schemes like the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fund-crunch-in-mgnrega" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)</strong></a> for harvesting and composting of stubble will help to resolve the dual problem of unemployment and stubble burning.</li>
<li>In the long-term,<strong> shifting the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cropping pattern</a></strong> away from paddy to maize, cotton, fruits or vegetables in Punjab, Haryana and UP is required.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/epca-chief-asks-punjab-haryana-to-act-against-stubble-burning/article32672708.ece#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%2Dappointed%20Environment,address%20the%20issue%20%E2%80%9Curgently%E2%80%9D." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5419,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'International Tea Day',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>first International Tea Day</strong> was observed on 21<sup>st</sup> May after it was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The UN General Assembly called on the <strong>Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO is an agency of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a>)</strong> to lead the observance of the day.</li>
<li>May 21 was chosen because the <strong>season of tea production begins in May</strong> in most of the tea producing countries.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tea is a beverage made from the<strong> Camellia sinesis plant.</strong> It is the world&rsquo;s most consumed drink, after water.</li>
<li><strong>Origin:</strong> It is believed that tea originated in <strong>northeast India, north Myanmar and southwest China,</strong> but the exact place where the plant first grew is not known. There is evidence that tea was consumed in China 5,000 years ago.</li>
<li><strong>Economy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tea production and processing</strong> constitutes a main source of livelihoods and subsistence for millions in developing and least developed countries.</li>
<li>It is a labour-intensive sector, providing jobs, especially in remote and economically disadvantaged areas.</li>
<li>Tea can play a <strong>significant role in rural development, poverty reduction and food security</strong> in developing countries, being one of the most important <strong>cash crops.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainable Development:</strong> Tea production and processing contributes towards various <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sustainable development goals</strong></a>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reduction of extreme poverty (Goal 1).</li>
<li>Fight against hunger (Goal 2).</li>
<li>Empowerment of women (Goal 5).</li>
<li>Sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (Goal 15).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Plantation condition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tea is a<strong> tropical</strong> and <strong>sub-tropical plant</strong> and grows well in moderately hot and humid climates.</li>
<li>The ideal temperature for its growth is 20&deg;-30&deg;C and temperatures above 35&deg;C and below 10&deg;C are harmful for the bush.</li>
<li>It requires 150-300 cm annual rainfall which should be well distributed throughout the year.</li>
<li>The most suitable soil for tea cultivation is<strong> slightly acidic soil (without calcium)</strong> with porous sub-soil which permits a free percolation of water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Climate Change:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, with more floods and droughts, are already affecting yields, tea product quality and prices, lowering incomes and threatening rural livelihoods.</li>
<li>In parallel, there is a growing recognition of the need to contribute to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-land-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a> mitigation, by reducing carbon emissions from tea production and processing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>FAO has designated 4 tea cultivation sites in <strong>China, Korea</strong> and <strong>Japan</strong> as <strong>Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pu&rsquo;er Traditional Tea Agrosystem (China)</li>
<li>Fuzhou Jasmine and Tea Culture System (China)</li>
<li>Traditional Tea-grass Integrated System (Japan)</li>
<li>Traditional Hadong Tea Agrosystem, Hwagae-myeon (Republic of Korea)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M8tSwibr5_w" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) was started by the FAO to safeguard and support the <strong>world's agricultural heritage systems.</strong></li>
<li>GIAHS are outstanding landscapes of aesthetic beauty that combine agricultural biodiversity, resilient ecosystems and a valuable cultural heritage.</li>
<li><strong>Three recognised GIAHS sites in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System of <strong>Kerala.</strong></li>
<li>Koraput Traditional Agriculture of <strong>Odisha.</strong></li>
<li>Pampore Saffron Heritage of<strong> Kashmir.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5056,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'National Conference on Kharif Crops 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare addressed the <strong>National Conference on Kharif Crops 2020</strong> through a video conference.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights of the Conference</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aims:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>discuss various issues and list out steps</strong> in consultation with the States about preparedness for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kharif</strong></a> cultivation in view of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> situation.</li>
<li>To take up <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/technology-and-doubling-farmers-income" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>doubling of farmers&rsquo; income</strong></a> <strong>in mission mode.</strong></li>
<li>To urge states to explain the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-pmfby" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana</strong></a> and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/to-the-point-paper-3-soil-health-card-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Soil Health Card Scheme</strong></a> to each farmer.</li>
<li>To <strong>implement the Home Ministry exemptions and relaxations</strong> for the Agricultural sector while ensuring <strong>social distancing</strong> and <strong>social responsibility norms.</strong></li>
<li>To <strong>start using the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-agri-business-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener">e-NAM</a> (National Agriculture Market) extensively.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Target of foodgrains production for the Financial Year 2020-21 has been fixed at 298.0 million tonnes.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the FY 2019-20, against the foodgrain production target of 291.10 million tonnes, higher production of about 292 million tonnes is anticipated due to <strong>enhancement of area coverage </strong>and<strong> productivity of various crops.</strong></li>
<li>This was possible due to the <strong>various technological advancements</strong> including <strong>varietal improvement</strong> as well as <strong>dedicated and coordinated efforts</strong> of Central and State Governments in spite of the present situation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-report-on-climate-change-ipcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a> along with <strong>change in rainfall patterns.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>cultivable/agriculture land has reduced by about 2.74 million hectare</strong> during the last two decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, during the same period the <strong>Gross Cropped Area (GCA) has increased from 182.28 million hectare to 196.50 million hectare,</strong> with net area sown remaining largely unchanged at 140 million hectare.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Gross Cropped Area:</strong> It represents the total area sown once as well as more than once in a particular year. When the crop is sown on a piece of land for twice, the area is counted twice in GCA.</li>
<li><strong>Net Area Sown:</strong> It represents the total area sown with crops. The area sown more than once in the same year is counted only once.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>production of foodgrains has increased from 169.92 million tonnes to 284.96 million tonnes</strong> in the corresponding period due to various technological and policy interventions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was highlighted that the <strong>agriculture and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/horticulture-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">horticulture</a> sector in the country have become a key driving element for economic development</strong> in many States.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India is the second largest producer of vegetables, after China.</strong></li>
<li>Although India has become food surplus, it still needs to accelerate the production and productivity of agriculture and horticulture sectors for ensuring food and nutritional security in the rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> major new initiatives</strong> for increasing production of crops and income of the farmers were<strong> appreciated.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>&ldquo;Per Drop More Crop&rdquo;</strong> under flagship <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-krishi-sinchayee-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana</strong> </a>(PMKSY).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pesticide-management-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana</strong></a> (PKVY).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojanas-failure-in-north-east" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana</strong> </a>(PMFBY).</li>
<li>e-NAM initiative.</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/08-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi</strong></a> (PM-KISAN) Yojana.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-maan-dhan-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Pension Yojana</strong></a> (PM-KPY).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-annadata-aay-anrakshan-abhiyan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan</strong></a> (PM-AASHA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was informed that <strong>All India Agri Transport Call Centre</strong> has been started to ensure that agriculture is not affected.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The call centre will <strong>facilitate inter-state movement of perishables</strong> in the current situation of lockdown due to the Covid-19 threat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For<strong> Rabi crops,</strong> all States will <strong>ensure procurement at Village/Block levels</strong> as farmers are not allowed to move out.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition, <strong>steps are taken for Direct Marketing/purchasing of crop produce</strong> from farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Relaxation has been given for movement of trucks/ vehicles loaded with seeds and fertilizers</strong> to ensure timely availability of such inputs at Village/Block levels across the country.</li>
<li>The format of <strong>State Action Plan</strong> (SAP) for <strong>advance planning and implementation</strong> of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Food &amp; Nutritional Security Mission</strong></a> (NF&amp;NSM) has been simplified.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NF&amp;NSM is mainly a <strong>mandate for production of foodgrains</strong> and is<strong> implemented on projectised mode through State Agriculture Departments</strong> across the country.</li>
<li><strong>Project Monitoring Teams</strong> at Central and State levels are guiding in formulation of SAPs and also monitoring through field visit and farmers&rsquo; interaction.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-news-analysis/government-plans-to-geo-tag-firms-to-check-frauds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geo-tagging</strong> </a><strong>of various interventions</strong> are also undertaken to <strong>ensure transparency</strong> in the programme implementation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587119050_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1587119050_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1614994" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 4255,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'India’s Cotton Story',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-flawed-spin-to-indias-cotton-story/article30627778.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The flawed spin to India&rsquo;s cotton story&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 23/01/2020. It highlights the problems faced by the Indian farmers due to the use of hybrid seed model for cotton production.</p>
</div>
<p>The<strong> pest-resistant Genetically Modified (GM) Bt cotton hybrids</strong> have captured the Indian market (covering over <strong>95%</strong> of the area under cotton) since their <strong>introduction in 2002.</strong> Their role in increasing India&rsquo;s cotton production has been instrumental, however, at the same time, it is argued that Bt cotton hybrids have negatively impacted the livelihoods of the farmers (especially the resource-poor farmers) and has contributed to the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/agricultural-distress-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>agrarian distress.</strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cotton-</strong> fibre, oil and protein yielding crop of global significance.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 21-30&deg;C</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 50-100cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Well-drained black cotton soil of Deccan Plateau.</li>
<li><strong>Top Cotton Producing States:</strong> Gujarat &gt; Maharashtra &gt; Telangana &gt; Andhra Pradesh &gt; Rajasthan.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Hybrid Cotton:</strong> Cotton made by crossing <strong>two parent strains</strong> that have different genetic characters. Hybrids are often spontaneously and randomly created in nature when open-pollinated plants naturally cross-pollinate with other related varieties.</p>
<p><strong>Varieties Cotton:</strong> Cotton produced by <strong>process of self-fertilization/autogamy</strong> (fusion of two gametes that come from one individual).</p>
<p><strong>Bt Cotton:</strong> It is a<strong> genetically modified organism</strong> or genetically modified pest-resistant variety of cotton.</p>
</div>
<h3>Hybrid Cotton: Experience &amp; Performance so far</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is expected to be the<strong> world&rsquo;s largest <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-cotton-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cotton</a> producer</strong> in terms of the produced output surpassing China (in 2019). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s cotton production in 2019 is projected at <strong>354 lakh bales</strong> (the highest ever) because of which it has been argued for extending <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/geac-seeks-information-from-bangladesh-on-bt-brinjal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GM technology</strong></a> to other areas so as to increase food crop yield.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is the<strong> only country</strong> that <strong>grows cotton in the form of hybrids.</strong> Also, India was the <strong>first to develop hybrid cotton</strong> back in 1970. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, India&rsquo;s <strong>productivity (yield per unit area)</strong> is <strong>much lower</strong> (around <strong>one-third</strong>) than other major cotton-producing countries. This implies that in order to be the largest producer, a much<strong> larger area is used for cotton production</strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Hybrid Cotton Versus Varieties Cotton</h3>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #5d00ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Sr. No.</strong></span></td>
<td style="height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #5d00ff; width: 13.2856%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Parameter</strong></span></td>
<td style="height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #5d00ff; width: 38.8226%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Hybrid Cotton</strong></span></td>
<td style="height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #5d00ff; width: 42.2434%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Varieties Cotton</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 67px;">
<td style="height: 67px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;">1.</td>
<td style="height: 67px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 13.2856%;">
<p>Formation Technology</p>
</td>
<td style="height: 67px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 38.8226%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Made by crossing<strong> two parent</strong> strains having different genetic characters.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="height: 67px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 42.2434%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Seeds for this type of cotton are produced by <strong>self-fertilization.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 83px;">
<td style="height: 83px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;">2.</td>
<td style="height: 83px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 13.2856%;">Sowing Area</td>
<td style="height: 83px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 38.8226%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hybrids in India are planted at ten-fold <strong>lower plantation density</strong> (0.5 kg seeds/acre).</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="height: 83px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 42.2434%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>High-Density Planting (HDP):</strong> These plants are planted at high density (5 kg seeds/acre).</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 131px;">
<td style="height: 131px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;">3.</td>
<td style="height: 131px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 13.2856%;">Reusability</td>
<td style="height: 131px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 38.8226%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hybrid seeds have to be <strong>remade for each planting season</strong> by crossing the parents. Hence, farmers must <strong>purchase seeds for each planting.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="height: 131px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 42.2434%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Varieties can be <strong>propagated over successive generations</strong> by collecting seeds from one <strong>planting and using them for the next planting</strong> season.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 99px;">
<td style="height: 99px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;">4.</td>
<td style="height: 99px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 13.2856%;">
<p>Productivity</p>
</td>
<td style="height: 99px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 38.8226%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These plants have <strong>more biomass</strong> than both parents and hence have the capacity <strong>for greater yields.&nbsp;</strong>But their plantation in per acre area is less (due to its size) as compared to the Varieties Cotton.</li>
<li>The lower <strong>boll production</strong> by compact varieties (5-10 bolls per plant) as compared to hybrids (20-100 bolls/plant) is compensated by their ten-fold greater planting density.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="height: 99px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 42.2434%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Using <strong>HDP technique,</strong> compact varieties have been found to outperform hybrids at the field level.</li>
<li>Their productivity is <strong>more than twice</strong> the productivity of hybrid cotton.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;">5.</td>
<td style="height: 19px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 13.2856%;">
<p>Production Duration</p>
</td>
<td style="height: 19px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 38.8226%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bushy and<strong> long duration</strong> (i.e. take more time to grow).</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="height: 19px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 42.2434%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Compact</strong> and <strong>short duration.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;">6.</td>
<td style="height: 19px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 13.2856%;">Manufacturing Unit &amp; Price Control</td>
<td style="height: 19px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 38.8226%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hybrids give pricing control to the <strong>seed company</strong> thereby ensuring a continuous market. These seeds are <strong>produced entirely</strong> by the <strong>private sector.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="height: 19px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 42.2434%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There lies <strong>no concept of pricing control</strong> by any seed company.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="height: 19px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;">7.</td>
<td style="height: 19px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 13.2856%;">Irrigation/Water requirement</td>
<td style="height: 19px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 38.8226%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They require <strong>more water.</strong> As <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-two" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cotton</strong></a> is a dryland crop, around 65% of the area under cotton in India is <strong>rain-fed.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="height: 19px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 42.2434%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Less water</strong> requirement.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 51px;">
<td style="height: 51px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;">8.</td>
<td style="height: 51px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 13.2856%;">Fertilizer requirement</td>
<td style="height: 51px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 38.8226%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They require <strong>more fertilizers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="height: 51px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 42.2434%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They require <strong>half the fertilizer as compared to hybrids.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 300px;">
<td style="height: 130px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;">9.</td>
<td style="height: 130px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 13.2856%;">Risks Involved</td>
<td style="height: 130px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 38.8226%;">Farmers with&nbsp;<strong>insufficient access to groundwater&nbsp;</strong>in the growing areas are entirely dependent on the rain. Also, its&nbsp;<strong>longer duration</strong> makes it <strong>more prone to pest attacks</strong> and thus involves <strong>high risks.</strong></td>
<td style="height: 130px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 42.2434%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Their <strong>shorter duration</strong> reduces dependence on irrigation (particularly late in the growing season when soil moisture drops following the <strong>monsoon&rsquo;s withdrawal,</strong> as this is the period when bolls develop and water requirement is the highest).</li>
<li>Also, it faces less vulnerability to damage from insect pests due to a shorter field duration. Hence,<strong> low risks are there.</strong></li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="height: 10px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 5.56881%; text-align: center;">10.</td>
<td style="height: 10px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 13.2856%;">
<p>Economic Cost</p>
</td>
<td style="height: 10px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 38.8226%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expensive,</strong> requiring manual crossing. In India, low cost of manual labour makes it economically sustainable.</li>
<li>Also, <strong>increased yield from a hybrid</strong> is supposed to justify the high cost of hybrid seeds in India.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="height: 10px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; background-color: #cfd2ff; width: 42.2434%;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Low-cost</strong> solution.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Policy for Hybrid Cotton</h3>
<p>There have been two phases of policy:</p>
<p><strong>Phase-1: Pre-GM cotton:</strong> This phase of the policy ranges from <strong>1980-2002</strong> when India persisted with hybrids while other countries shifted to HDP (High-density Planting).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Cotton research centres &amp; Public sector institutions ignored such a significant innovation (in the form of HDP) in cotton breeding in India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Phase-2: Post-GM:</strong> This phase began post-2002 when Bt cotton was being considered for <strong>introduction</strong> into India. In this phase, the deliberation of hybrids versus compact varieties could have been undertaken which could have led to the introduction of the HDP technology in India.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>However, the <strong>scope of evaluation</strong> by the GM regulatory process in India was<strong> narrow</strong> and did not take the <strong>agro-economic conditions</strong> prevalent in India into account.</li>
<li>Therefore, the hybrid seed model for cotton in India persisted for many years even after benefits of compact varieties became clear from global experience.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, there was a steep increase in<strong> productivity for Brazil,</strong> from 400 to 1,000 kg/hectare <strong>lint</strong> (yield of cotton fibre after <strong>ginning,</strong> i.e, after separating cotton fibres from their seeds) between 1994 and 2000- the period which coincides with large-scale shift of the world to a <strong>non-GM compact variety.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Market Capture:</strong> Commercial Bt hybrids have<strong> overshadowed the market,</strong> accompanied by the <strong>rollback of public sector cottonseed production.</strong> Hence, the Indian cotton farmers are left with little choice but to use Bt hybrid seed produced by <strong>private seed</strong> companies.</li>
<li><strong>Farmers Distress:</strong> Due to the combination of high input and high risk, agricultural distress is <strong>extremely high</strong> among hybrid cotton cultivating farmers. Compact varieties would have significantly reduced this distress as well as increased yield.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Impact Assessment:</strong> Before extending GM technology to increase food crop yield it is mandatory to <strong>assess its impact</strong> on livelihood, agrarian distress, etc. Hence, the outcome of deploying a technology must be evaluated in a particular context. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the technology does not <strong>prioritize the needs</strong> of the principal stakeholders (farmers), it can have significant negative fallouts, especially in India which has a high proportion of marginal and subsistence farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Integrated Policy-framing:</strong> There is a <strong>need for better consultation</strong> in policy, be it agriculture as a whole or crop-wise. For e.g., the policy-framers in India could have deliberated upon the <strong>inclusion of socio-economic considerations</strong> being a signatory to international treaties on GMO regulation (the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sixth-national-report-to-the-convention-of-biological-diversity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on Biological Diversity</strong></a>, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety). These treaties specifically provide for such considerations in GMO risk assessment.</li>
<li>It is important to recognise that the adoption of any new technology (such as Bt Cotton) is a <strong>choice and not an imperative.</strong> Lessons could be learnt from <strong>Brazil and Turkey</strong> which achieved high productivity without using GM cotton but by using alternative pest-management approaches.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffbdb;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>How can compact varieties of seed model help sustain cotton production in India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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		'article_id' => (int) 3528,
		'category_id' => (int) 28,
		'title' => 'Cropping Patterns and Major Crops of India: Part Two',
		'description' => '<h3>Major Cash Crops</h3>
<h3><em>Sugarcane</em></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572872746_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572872746_image7.jpg" width="600" height="657" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></em></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 21-27&deg;C with hot and humid climate.</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 75-100 cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Deep rich loamy soil.</li>
<li><strong>Top Sugarcane Producing States: Uttar Pradesh &gt; Maharashtra &gt; Karnataka &gt; Tamil Nadu &gt; Bihar.</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>second largest producer of sugarcane after Brazil.</strong></li>
<li>It can be grown on all variety of soils ranging from sandy loam to clay loam given these soils should be well drained.</li>
<li>It needs manual labour from sowing to harvesting.</li>
<li>It is the main source of <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sugar-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sugar</a>, gur (jaggery), khandsari and molasses.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Scheme for Extending Financial Assistance to Sugar Undertakings (SEFASU)</strong> and <strong>National Policy on Biofuels</strong> are two of the government initiatives to support sugarcane production and sugar industry.</li>
</ul>
<h3><em>Oil Seeds</em></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572872812_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572872812_image2.jpg" width="600" height="657" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></em></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 15-30&deg;C</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 30-75 cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Loam to clayey loam and well drained sandy loams.</li>
<li><strong>Top Oilseeds Producing States: Madhya Pradesh &gt; Rajasthan &gt; Gujarat &gt; Maharashtra &gt; Uttar Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>Main oil-seeds produced in India are <strong>groundnut, mustard, coconut, sesamum (til), soyabean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseed and sunflower.</strong></li>
<li>Most of these are edible and used as cooking mediums. However, some of these are also used as a <strong>raw material in the production of soap, cosmetics and ointments.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Yellow Revolution and Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM)</strong> are examples of government initiatives for oilseeds.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Groundnut is a kharif crop</strong> and accounts for about<strong> half of the major oilseeds produced</strong> in the country.</li>
<li><strong>Linseed and mustard are rabi</strong> crops.</li>
<li><strong>Sesamum is a kharif crop in north and rabi crop in south India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Castor seed is grown both as rabi and kharif crop.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/horticulture-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Horticulture Crops</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Horticulture is the <strong>branch of agriculture</strong> concerned with <strong>cultivation, production and sale of fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, ornamental or exotic plants.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #7d85bd;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Fruits</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #7d85bd;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>States</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 35px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 35px; background-color: #e6fffd;">Mangoes</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 35px; background-color: #e6fffd;">Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6fffd;">
<p>Oranges</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6fffd;">Nagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6fffd;">Bananas</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6fffd;">Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6fffd;">Litchi and Guava</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6fffd;">Uttar Pradesh and Bihar</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6fffd;">
<p>Pineapples</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6fffd;">Meghalaya</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%; background-color: #e6fffd;">
<p>Grapes</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; background-color: #e6fffd;">Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%; background-color: #e6fffd;">
<p>Apples, Pears, Apricots and Walnuts</p>
</td>
<td style="width: 50%; background-color: #e6fffd;">Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is the <strong>second largest producer</strong> of fruits and vegetables and it produces both <strong>tropical and temperate fruits.</strong></li>
<li>India produces about <strong>13 percent of the world&rsquo;s vegetables.</strong> It is an important producer of <strong>peas, cauliflower, onions, cabbage, tomato, brinjal and potato.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Golden Revolution, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and Coordinated Horticulture Assessment and Management using geo-informatics (Project CHAMAN)</strong> are government initiatives to help horticulture sector.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Plantation Crops</h3>
<h3><em>Tea</em></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572872927_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572872927_image5.jpg" width="600" height="657" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></em></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 20-30&deg;C</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 150-300 cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Deep and fertile well-drained soil, rich in humus and organic matter.</li>
<li><strong>Top Tea Producing States: Assam &gt; West Bengal &gt; Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>second largest producer</strong> of tea.</li>
<li>It was <strong>introduced in the eastern hill slopes of India by the British.</strong></li>
<li>Slopes of eastern hills have <strong>humid climate and evenly distributed rainfall without water logging</strong> which are optimal conditions for <strong>terrace farming</strong> of tea.</li>
<li>Tea is a <strong>labour intensive industry.</strong> It requires abundant, cheap and skilled labour. Tea is processed within the tea garden to retain its freshness.</li>
<li><strong>Tea Development and Promotion Scheme, Wage Compensation Scheme and Tea Boutiques</strong> are few of the government schemes for tea.</li>
</ul>
<h3><em>Coffee</em></h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572872955_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572872955_image3.jpg" width="600" height="657" caption="false" /></em></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 15-28&deg;C</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 150-250 cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Well drained, deep friable loamy soil.</li>
<li><strong>Top Coffee Producing States: Karnataka &gt; Kerala &gt; Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>seventh largest producer.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Coffee was initially brought from Yemen and introduced on the Baba Budan Hills.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Hills with well-defined shade canopy, comprising evergreen leguminous trees</strong> provide the optimal condition for coffee cultivation that is why it is mainly concentrated in the hilly regions.</li>
<li><strong>Indian variety of coffee &lsquo;Arabica&rsquo; is famous worldwide.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Various Integrated Coffee Development Projects and schemes</strong> have been launched by the government to support coffee production.</li>
</ul>
<h3><em>Rubber</em></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572872983_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572872983_image1.jpg" width="600" height="657" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></em></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Above 25&deg;C with moist and humid climate.</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> More than 200 cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Rich well drained alluvial soil.</li>
<li><strong>Top Rubber Producing States: Kerala &gt; Tamil Nadu &gt; Karnataka.</strong></li>
<li>It is an <strong>equatorial crop,</strong> but under special conditions, it is <strong>also grown in tropical and sub-tropical</strong> areas.</li>
<li>Rubber is an important <strong>industrial raw material.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Rubber Plantation Development Scheme and Rubber Group Planting Scheme</strong> are examples of government led initiatives for rubber.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Fibre Crops</h3>
<h3><em>Cotton</em></h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572873014_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572873014_image4.jpg" width="600" height="657" caption="false" /></em></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 21-30&deg;C</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 50-100cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Well drained black cotton soil of Deccan Plateau.</li>
<li><strong>Top Cotton Producing States: Gujarat &gt; Maharashtra &gt; Telangana &gt; Andhra Pradesh &gt; Rajasthan.</strong></li>
<li>India is <strong>believed to be the original home of the cotton plant.</strong> Cotton is one of the main raw materials for cotton textile industry.</li>
<li>Cotton needs <strong>210 frost-free days and bright sun-shine for its growth.</strong></li>
<li>It is a<strong> kharif crop and requires 6 to 8 months to mature.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Silver Fibre Revolution and Technology Mission on Cotton</strong> are the government initiatives for increasing cotton production in India.</li>
<li>Cotton has been <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/supermarkets-flooded-with-foreign-gm-foods-despite-ban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>genetically modified</strong> </a>into <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bt-cotton-in-india-problems-and-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BT Cotton</strong></a> to <strong>fight environmental stress and pest attacks.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3><em>Jute</em></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572873051_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572873051_image6.jpg" width="600" height="657" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></em></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 25-35&deg;C</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 150-250 cm</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Well drained alluvial soil</li>
<li><strong>Top Jute Producing States: West Bengal &gt; Bihar &gt; Assam &gt; Andhra Pradesh &gt; Odisha.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>mainly concentrated in eastern India</strong> because of the <strong>rich alluvial soil of Ganga-Brahmaputra delta.</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>largest producer of jute.</strong></li>
<li>It is known as the <strong>golden fibre.</strong></li>
<li>It is used in making<strong> gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets and other artefacts.</strong></li>
<li>Due to its <strong>high cost, it is losing market to synthetic fibres and packing materials, particularly nylon.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Golden Fibre Revolution and Technology Mission on Jute and Mesta</strong> are two of the government initiatives to boost jute production in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Changing Cropping Patterns of India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cropping pattern is a<strong> dynamic concept</strong> because it changes over space and time. It can be defined as the proportion of area under various crops at a point of time. Sometimes a number of <strong>crops are cultivated in combinations and rotations over a period.</strong></li>
<li>In India, the cropping pattern is <strong>determined by rainfall, climate, temperature, soil type, technology and socio-economic conditions of the farmers.</strong></li>
<li>These changes in the cropping pattern mainly occurred due to<strong> increase in the prices of crops.</strong> After independence a lot of changes had been recorded in the cropping pattern in India.</li>
<li><strong>Green Revolution</strong> also led to changes in the cropping patterns. Rice was introduced to <strong>Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>Cultivation of food crops has become very <strong>remunerative and productive due to the introduction of new technologies in Indian agriculture.</strong></li>
<li>Farmers are more <strong>intensively moving towards cultivation of cash/commercial crops</strong> such as oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, spices, etc. <strong>from the traditional non-cash/non-commercial crops</strong> such as cereals and pulses.</li>
<li>Farmers have changed their crop patterns in order to <strong>reap the benefits of economic expansion</strong> as well.</li>
<li><strong>Climate change</strong> has affected the Indian monsoon due to which cropping patterns are also changing.</li>
<li><strong>Population explosion and urbanisation</strong> has led to <strong>land conversion, boosting intensive farming</strong> and has brought changes in cropping patterns.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At the beginning of the present century, nearly <strong>83 percent</strong> of the total cultivable land of India was put under<strong> food crops</strong> and the <strong>remaining 17 percent</strong> was put under <strong>non-food crops.</strong> But in <strong>1944-45,</strong> there was a <strong>change in the cropping pattern</strong> in India and area under <strong>food crops came down to 80 percent</strong> and the area under <strong>non-&shy;food</strong> crops slightly <strong>increased to 20 percent.</strong></li>
<li>Among all the food crops, the <strong>largest increase</strong> in area <strong>since 1950- 51</strong> has already been recorded by <strong>wheat cultivation</strong> which shows an <strong>increase of 132 percent by 1987-88.</strong> But in the case of both <strong>rice and pulses,</strong> the <strong>increase</strong> in area has been restricted to <strong>only 23 percent; Coarse cereals</strong> have recorded only <strong>marginal increase of 11 percent by 1987-88.</strong></li>
</ul>
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		'article_id' => (int) 3518,
		'category_id' => (int) 28,
		'title' => 'Cropping Patterns and Major Crops of India: Part One',
		'description' => '<p><strong>Two-thirds of India&rsquo;s population</strong> is engaged in agricultural activities. It is a primary activity, which produces food grains and raw materials for industries. India is geographically a vast country so it has various food and non-food crops which are cultivated in three main cropping seasons which are rabi, kharif and zaid.</p>
<p>Major crops can be classified into-</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Food crops-</strong> Rice, Wheat, Millets, Maize and Pulses.</li>
<li><strong>Cash crops-</strong> Sugarcane, Oilseeds, Horticulture crops, Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Cotton and Jute.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cropping Seasons</h3>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.15991%; background-color: #5a8025; height: 19px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>S. No</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 19.1181%; background-color: #5a8025; height: 19px;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Cropping Season</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 19.8723%; background-color: #5a8025; height: 19px;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Time Period</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 23.6935%; background-color: #5a8025; height: 19px;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Crops</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 30.0768%; background-color: #5a8025; height: 19px;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>States</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.15991%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">1.</td>
<td style="width: 19.1181%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Rabi</td>
<td style="width: 19.8723%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Sown: October-December<br />Harvested: April-June</td>
<td style="width: 23.6935%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Wheat, barley, peas, gram, mustard etc.</td>
<td style="width: 30.0768%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.15991%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">2.</td>
<td style="width: 19.1181%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Kharif</td>
<td style="width: 19.8723%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Sown: June-July<br />Harvested: September-October</td>
<td style="width: 23.6935%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Rice, maize, jowar, bajra, tur, moong, urad, cotton, jute, groundnut, soybean etc.</td>
<td style="width: 30.0768%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 7.15991%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">3.</td>
<td style="width: 19.1181%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Zaid</td>
<td style="width: 19.8723%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Sown and harvested: March-July<br />(between Rabi and Kharif)</td>
<td style="width: 23.6935%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Seasonal fruits, vegetables, fodder crops etc.</td>
<td style="width: 30.0768%; background-color: #deebcc; height: 19px; vertical-align: top;">Most of the northern and northwestern states</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Major Food Crops</h3>
<h3><em>Rice</em></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572859346_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572859346_image2.jpg" width="606" height="674" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></em></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 22-32&deg;C with high humidity.</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 150-300 cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Deep clayey and loamy soil.</li>
<li><strong>Top Rice Producing States: West Bengal &gt; Punjab &gt; Uttar Pradesh &gt; Andhra Pradesh &gt; Bihar.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>staple food crop of majority</strong> of Indian people.</li>
<li>India is the <strong>second largest producer of rice in the world after China.</strong></li>
<li>In states like <strong>Assam, West Bengal and Odisha,</strong> three crops of paddy are grown in a year. These are <strong>Aus, Aman and Boro.</strong></li>
<li><strong>National Food Security Mission, Hybrid Rice Seed Production and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana</strong> are few government initiatives to support rice cultivation.</li>
</ul>
<h3><em>Wheat</em></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572700255_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572700255_image4.jpg" width="606" height="674" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 10-15&deg;C (Sowing time) and 21-26&deg;C (Ripening &amp; Harvesting) with bright sunlight.</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 75-100 cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Well-drained fertile loamy and clayey loamy (Ganga-Satluj plains and black soil region of the Deccan)</li>
<li><strong>Top Wheat Producing States: Uttar Pradesh &gt; Punjab &gt; Madhya Pradesh &gt; Haryana &gt; Rajasthan.</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>second largest producer</strong> after China.</li>
<li>This is the <strong>second most important cereal crop and the main food crop, in north and north-western</strong> India.</li>
<li>Success of <strong>Green Revolution</strong> contributed to the growth of Rabi crops especially wheat.</li>
<li><strong>Macro Management Mode of Agriculture, National Food Security Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana</strong> are few government initiatives to support wheat cultivation.</li>
</ul>
<h3><em>Millets (Nutri-Cereals)</em></h3>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572699621_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572699621_image5.jpg" width="652" height="674" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 27-32&deg;C</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 50-100 cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Can be grown in inferior alluvial or loamy soil because they are less sensitive to soil deficiencies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Jowar-</strong> Rain-fed crop grown in the moist areas with less or no irrigation.</li>
<li><strong>Bajra-</strong> Sandy soils and shallow black soil.</li>
<li><strong>Ragi-</strong> Red, black, sandy, loamy and shallow black soils. (dry regions)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Top Millets Producing States: Rajasthan &gt; Karnataka &gt; Maharashtra &gt; Madhya Pradesh &gt; Uttar Pradesh</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Jowar:</strong> Maharashtra &gt; Karnataka &gt; Madhya Pradesh &gt; Tamil Nadu &gt; Andhra Pradesh.</li>
<li><strong>Bajra:</strong> Rajasthan &gt; Uttar Pradesh &gt; Gujarat &gt; Madhya Pradesh &gt; Haryana.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These are also known as <strong>coarse grains,</strong> which have <strong>high nutritional value. Ragi</strong> is very <strong>rich in iron, calcium, other micro nutrients</strong> and <strong>roughage.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Jowar</strong> is the <strong>third most important food crop with respect to area and production.</strong></li>
<li><strong>National Agricultural Insurance Scheme, Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion</strong> are examples of government&rsquo;s efforts to support millet production.</li>
</ul>
<h3><em>Maize</em></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572699562_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572699562_image3.jpg" width="607" height="674" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 21-27&deg;C</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> High rainfall.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Old alluvial soil.</li>
<li><strong>Top Maize Producing States: Karnataka &gt; Maharashtra &gt; Madhya Pradesh &gt; Tamil Nadu &gt; Telangana</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>seventh largest producer</strong> worldwide.</li>
<li>It is used both as <strong>food and fodder.</strong></li>
<li>Use of modern inputs such as <strong>High-Yielding Variety seeds, fertilisers and irrigation</strong> have contributed to the <strong>increasing production</strong> of maize.</li>
<li><strong>Technology Mission on Maize</strong> is one of the government&rsquo;s initiatives for mazie.</li>
</ul>
<h3><em>Pulses</em><strong></strong></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572699518_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1572699518_image1.jpg" width="608" height="674" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Temperature:</strong> Between 20-27&deg;C</li>
<li><strong>Rainfall:</strong> Around 25-60 cm.</li>
<li><strong>Soil Type:</strong> Sandy-loamy soil.</li>
<li><strong>Top Pulses Producing States: Madhya Pradesh &gt; Rajasthan &gt; Maharashtra &gt; Uttar Pradesh &gt; Karnataka.</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>largest producer</strong> as well as the<strong> consumer</strong> of pulses in the world.</li>
<li>These are the <strong>major source of protein</strong> in a vegetarian diet.</li>
<li>Major pulses grown in India are<strong> tur (arhar), urad, moong, masur, peas and gram.</strong></li>
<li>Being <strong>leguminous crops,</strong> all these crops except arhar help in restoring soil fertility by <strong>fixing nitrogen from the air.</strong> Therefore, these are mostly grown in rotation with other crops.</li>
<li><strong>National Food Security Mission for Pulses, Pulses Development Scheme and Technological Mission on Pulses</strong> are few of the government&rsquo;s plans to support pulses production.</li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>NOTE:</strong> Cash Crops will be covered in the Cropping Patterns and Major Crops of India: Part Two.</em></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 3139,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Zero-Budget Natural Farming',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/is-zero-budget-natural-farming-working/article29410335.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Is zero budget natural farming working?&rdquo;</strong></a> that appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 14/09/2019. It talks about the benefits and issues related to Zero-Budget Natural Farming.</p>
</div>
<p>Addressing the <strong>United Nations conference on desertification (COP-14)</strong>, Indian PM told the global community that India is <strong>focusing on Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).</strong> ZBNF was also highlighted in<strong> budget 2019</strong> in the bid to double farmer's income by 2022.</p>
<p>However, scientists from the <strong>National Academy of Agricultural Sciences</strong> suggested that there is no need for the government to promote ZBNF unless there is proper scientific validation.</p>
<h3>Zero Budget Natural Farming</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Zero budget natural farming is a method of <strong>chemical-free agriculture</strong> drawing from traditional Indian practices.</li>
<li>It was originally promoted by <strong>agriculturist Subhash Palekar,</strong> who developed it in the mid-1990s as an <strong>alternative to the Green Revolution&rsquo;s methods</strong> that are driven by chemical fertilizers and pesticides and intensive irrigation.</li>
<li>It is a unique model that relies on <strong>Agro-ecology.</strong></li>
<li>It aims to bring down the <strong>cost of production to nearly zero</strong> and return to a <strong>pre-green revolution style of farming.</strong></li>
<li>It claims that there is <strong>no need</strong> for expensive inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and intensive irrigation.</li>
<li>ZBNF is based on 4 pillars:
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Jeevamrutha:</strong> It is a mixture of fresh cow dung and aged cow urine (both from India's indigenous cow breed), jaggery, pulse flour, water and soil; to be applied on farmland.</li>
<li><strong>Bijamrita:</strong> It is a concoction of neem leaves &amp; pulp, tobacco and green chilies prepared for insect and pest management, that can be used to treat seeds.</li>
<li><strong>Acchadana (Mulching)</strong>: It protects topsoil during cultivation and does not destroy it by tilling.</li>
<li><strong>Whapasa</strong>: It is the condition where there are both air molecules and water molecules present in the soil. Thereby helping in reducing irrigation requirement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Benefits of ZBNF</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the rising cost of external inputs (fertilizers and pesticides), which is the leading <strong>cause of indebtedness and suicide among farmers.</strong> According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restructuring-of-indian-statistical-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)</a> data, <strong>almost 70% of agricultural households</strong> spend more than they earn and more than half of all farmers are in debt.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since in ZBNF there is the need to spend money or take loans for external inputs, the cost of production could be reduced and <strong>farming made into a &ldquo;zero budget&rdquo; exercise.</strong></li>
<li>This would <strong>break the debt cycle</strong> for many small farmers and help to envisage the doubling of farmer's income by 2022.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At a time when chemical-intensive farming is resulting in soil and environmental degradation, a zero-cost environmentally-friendly farming method is definitely a timely initiative.</li>
<li>The ZBNF method promotes <strong>soil aeration,</strong> minimal watering, intercropping, bunds and topsoil mulching and discourages intensive irrigation and deep ploughing.</li>
<li>It suits all crops in all agro-climatic zones.</li>
<li>Citing the benefits of ZBNF, in June 2018, <strong>Andhra Pradesh</strong> rolled out an ambitious plan to become <strong>India&rsquo;s first State to practise 100% natural farming by 2024.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to ZBNF</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sikkim (India's first organic state), has seen some <strong>decline in yields</strong> following conversion to organic farming.</li>
<li>Many farmers have <strong>reverted to conventional farming</strong> after seeing their ZBNF returns drop after a few years.</li>
<li>While ZBNF has definitely helped preserve soil fertility, its role in boosting productivity and farmers&rsquo; income <strong>isn&rsquo;t conclusive</strong> yet.</li>
<li>ZBNF advocates the <strong>need of an Indian breed cow,</strong> whose numbers are <strong>declining at a fast pace.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to Livestock Census, the country&rsquo;s total population of indigenous and nondescript cattle has dropped by 8.1%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Low expenditure by the government:</strong> Last year, the government launched Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, a flagship Green Revolution scheme with an allocation of Rs 3,745 crore for the financial year 2019-20.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Whereas the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, which was meant to promote organic farming and soil health has been allocated Rs 325 crore only.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a host of structural marketing issues which needs to be addressed first before aiming to achieve the ambitious goal of ZBNF. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening of agricultural market infrastructure.</li>
<li>Extending the procurement mechanism to all foodgrain and non-foodgrain crops to all States.</li>
<li>Implementation of price deficiency payment system for selected crops.</li>
<li>Fixing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msp-agrarian-crisis-and-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minimum support prices</a> (MSP) in consonance with the cost of cultivation.</li>
<li>Abolishing minimum export price for agricultural commodities.</li>
<li>Enacting legislation on &lsquo;right to sell at MSP&rsquo; needs immediate attention.</li>
<li>MGNREGS must also be linked with farm work in order to reduce the cost of cultivation which has escalated at a faster pace over the past few years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Unless these issues are resolved, the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/doubling-farmers-income-a-promise-to-be-fulfilled-by-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">doubling of farmers' income</a> will remain a distant reality. In this context, farmers&rsquo; ease of doing business and ease of living should also be taken into consideration.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #faffe8;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Critically analyse the role Zero Budget Natural Farming can play in achieving the goal of doubling farmer&rsquo;s income by 2022.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/what-is-zero-budget-natural-farming/article28733122.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/what-is-zero-budget-natural-farming/article28733122.ece</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thewire.in/agriculture/budget-2019-zero-budget-natural-farming" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://thewire.in/agriculture/budget-2019-zero-budget-natural-farming</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-should-stop-promoting-zero-budget-natural-farming-pending-proof-scientists/article29386358.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-should-stop-promoting-zero-budget-natural-farming-pending-proof-scientists/article29386358.ece</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-seeds-of-sustainability/article24213217.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-seeds-of-sustainability/article24213217.ece</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fao.org/agroecology/detail/en/c/443712/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>http://www.fao.org/agroecology/detail/en/c/443712/</strong></a></li>
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