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Kisan Sarathi

Why in News Recently, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) celebrated its 93rd foundation day and on the occasion, the Kisan Sarthi...

17 Jul 2021 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Agristack: The New Digital Push in Agriculture

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft to run a pilot programme for 100 villages...

26 Jun 2021 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
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 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
e-SANTA

Why in News Recently the Union Commerce and Industry Minister has inaugurated an electronic platform named e-SANTA, which will connect aqua farmers...

14 Apr 2021 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Five Years of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

Why In News Recently, the flagship crop insurance scheme of the Government of India - the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) - has completed...

13 Jan 2021 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Virtual Agri-Hackathon 2020

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare inaugurated the Virtual Agri-hackathon 2020 in association with...

01 Jan 2021 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Aquaponics Facility

Why in News A pilot ‘Aquaponics facility’ has been developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Mohali at Guru...

14 Oct 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Kastoori Cotton

Why in News Union Minister for Textiles unveiled a brand and a logo for Indian cotton recently on the occasion of 2nd World Cotton Day on 7th...

10 Oct 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Organic Farming in India

Why in News India ranks 1st in number of organic farmers and 9th in terms of area under organic farming. Key Points Indian Scenario Regarding...

21 Aug 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
TRIFED’s Digitisation Drive

Why in News The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day on 6th August 2020 and...

08 Aug 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
App to Monitor Rice Fields: Paddy Watch

Why in News Researchers from University of Sydney in collaboration with other partners have been developing an app i.e. Paddy watch, which will act...

14 Jul 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium

Why in News Recently the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare highlighted the role of Small Farmers’ Agribusiness...

13 Jun 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance: Umang Mobile App

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has added the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) weather...

28 May 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Ordinance to Check APMCs: Gujarat

Why in News Recently, Gujarat’s state government has cleared the Gujarat Agricultural Produce Markets (Amendment) Ordinance 2020. It has...

12 May 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Kisan Sabha App

Why in News The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi has developed the Kisan Sabha App to connect farmers to the supply chain...

02 May 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Kisan Rath App

Why in News The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched ‘Kisan Rath’ mobile application (app) to facilitate...

18 Apr 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
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 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
New Features Added to e-NAM

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has launched three new features of the National Agriculture Market...

04 Apr 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Conference 2020

Why in News The 11th National Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Conference was held in New Delhi. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) KVK is an integral part of...

29 Feb 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers
Bringing A Multiplier Effect In Indian Agriculture

This article is based on “Giving PM-KISAN the multiplier effect” and “Thinking beyond farm sops”. It talks about an array...

15 Feb 2020 E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers

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		'article_id' => (int) 8898,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Kisan Sarathi',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-council-of-agricultural-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)</strong> </a>celebrated its<strong> 93<sup>rd</sup> foundation day</strong> and on the occasion, the <strong>Kisan Sarthi</strong> platform was launched.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Council of Agriculture Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous organisation</strong> under the <strong>Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE),</strong> Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.</li>
<li>It was <strong>established in July 1929</strong> and was formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.</li>
<li>It is<strong> headquartered at New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture</strong> including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was jointly launched by the<strong> Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare</strong> and the <strong>Union Minister of Electronics &amp; Information Technology.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>digital platform</strong> to facilitate farmers to get <strong>&lsquo;right information at right time&rsquo;</strong> in their desired language.</li>
<li>It will help farmers to interact and avail personalised advisories on agriculture and allied areas directly from the respective scientists of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/krishi-vigyan-kendra-kvk-conference-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Farmers can also <strong>learn new farming methods</strong> using it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Krishi Vigyan Kendra:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an<strong> agricultural extension center in India.</strong> Usually associated with a local agricultural university, these centers serve as the <strong>ultimate link between the ICAR and farmers,</strong> and aim <strong>to apply agricultural research in a practical, localized setting.</strong></li>
<li>It is an<strong> integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>first KVK</strong> was established in <strong>1974 at Puducherry.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The mandate of KVK is <strong>technology assessment and demonstration</strong> for its application and capacity development.</li>
<li>KVKs also <strong>produce quality technological products</strong> (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make it available to farmers.</li>
<li>The KVK scheme is <strong>100% financed by the Government of India</strong> and the KVKs are sanctioned to Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutes, related Government Departments and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) working in Agriculture.</li>
<li>KVKs act as a <strong>bridge between the laboratories and farmland.</strong> According to the Government, these are crucial to fulfilling the target of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/technology-and-doubling-farmers-income" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>doubling farmers&rsquo; income by 2022.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626515609_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626515609_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Other Related Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-krishi-sinchayee-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/soil-health-card-scheme-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Soil health card</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lakshadweep-declared-an-organic-union-territory" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana</strong></a></li>
<li><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></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-sampada-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM Kisan Sampada Yojana</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-features-added-to-e-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Agriculture Market (eNAM)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1736215" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8705,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Agristack: The New Digital Push in Agriculture',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture</strong> has signed a <strong>Memorandum of Understanding</strong> with <strong>Microsoft</strong> to run a<strong> pilot programme</strong> for 100 villages in 6 states.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The MoU requires <strong>Microsoft</strong> to create a <strong>&lsquo;Unified Farmer Service Interface&rsquo;</strong> through its cloud computing services.</li>
<li>This comprises a major part of the ministry&rsquo;s plan of creating <strong>&lsquo;AgriStack&rsquo; (a collection of technology-based interventions in agriculture)</strong>, on which everything else will be built.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About AgriStack:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>collection of technologies</strong> and <strong>digital databases</strong> that focuses on <strong>farmers and the agricultural sector.</strong></li>
<li>AgriStack will create a <strong>unified platform</strong> for farmers to provide them end to end services across the agriculture food value chain.</li>
<li>It is in line with the <strong>Centre&rsquo;s <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digital India programme</a></strong>, aimed at providing a broader push to digitise data in India, from land titles to medical records. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government is also implementing the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unique-land-parcel-identification-number" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Land Records Modernisation Programme (NRLMP)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Under the programme</strong>, each farmer will have a <strong>unique digital identification (farmers&rsquo; ID)</strong> that contains personal details, information about the land they farm, as well as production and financial details. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Each ID will be linked to the individual's <strong>digital national ID<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aadhar-and-its-voluntary-use" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Aadhaar</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At present, the <strong>majority of farmers</strong> across India are <strong>small and marginal farmers</strong> with limited access to advanced technologies or formal credit that can help improve output and fetch better prices.</li>
<li>Among the new proposed digital farming technologies and services under the programme include <strong>sensors to monitor cattle, drones to analyse soil</strong> and <strong>apply pesticide</strong>, may significantly <strong>improve the farm yields and boost farmers' incomes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Potential Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Problems</strong> such as inadequate access to <strong>credit and information, pest infestation, crop wastage, poor price discovery and yield forecasting</strong> can be sufficiently addressed by use of digital technology.</li>
<li>It will also <strong>fuel innovation</strong> and breed <strong>investment</strong> towards the agricultural sector and <strong>augment research</strong> towards more resilient crops.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Absence of a Data Protection Legislation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In its absence, it might end up being an exercise where<strong> private data processing entities</strong> may know more about a farmer&rsquo;s land than the farmer himself and they would be able to exploit farmers&rsquo; data to whatever extent they wish to.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercialisation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The formation of &lsquo;Agristack&rsquo; will imply <strong>commercialisation of agriculture extension activities</strong> as they will <strong>shift into a digital and private sphere.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Absence of Dispute Settlement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The MoUs provide for <strong>physical verification of the land data gathered</strong> digitally, but there is <strong>nothing</strong> on what will be the <strong>course of action if disputes arise</strong>, especially when historical evidence suggests that land disputes take years to settle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Privacy and Exclusion Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Given that the proposed <strong>farmer ID</strong> will be <strong>Aadhaar-seeded</strong>, further issues of privacy and exclusion would emerge.</li>
<li>Several researchers have demonstrated the <strong>vulnerability of the Aadhaar database to breaches and leaks</strong>, while <strong>Aadhaar-based exclusion</strong> in <strong>welfare delivery</strong> has also been well documented in different contexts.</li>
<li>Also, making <strong>land records the basis for farmer databases</strong> would mean <strong>excluding tenant farmers, sharecroppers and agricultural labourers.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Data shows that the <strong>population of farm labourers</strong> has outstripped that of farmers and cultivators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is no denial that there is <strong>potential in data and technology</strong> in empowering farmers but only when the flow of information is balanced.</li>
<li>The <strong>private firms working on pilot projects</strong> must <strong>effectively cooperate with state governments t</strong>o reconcile the differences over land ownership.</li>
<li>The government should move ahead with the <strong>project based on the results obtained from pilot trails.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/agristack-linking-land-records-with-database-will-exclude-labourers-farmers-warn-experts-77645" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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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) 8145,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'e-SANTA',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently the Union Commerce and Industry Minister has inaugurated an <strong>electronic platform</strong> named <strong>e-SANTA</strong>, which will connect <strong>aqua farmers and the buyers.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term <strong>e-SANTA</strong> was coined for the web portal, meaning <strong>Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA farmers' Trade in Aquaculture.</strong></li>
<li>e-SANTA is a <strong>digital bridge</strong> to end the market divide and will act as an alternative marketing tool between farmers &amp; buyers by eliminating middlemen.</li>
<li>The farmers can <strong>freely list their produce and quote their price</strong> while the exporters have the freedom to list their requirements and also to choose the products based on their requirements such as desired size, location, harvest dates etc.</li>
<li>The Platform is available in <strong>many languages</strong>, which will help the local population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>e-SANTA will <strong>RAISE</strong> income, lifestyle, self-reliance, quality levels, traceability, and provide new options for aqua farmers by: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Reducing Risk</li>
<li>Awareness of Products &amp; Markets</li>
<li>Increase in Income</li>
<li>Shielding Against Wrong Practice</li>
<li>Ease of Processes</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will enable the farmers and buyers to have greater control over the trade and enables them to make informed decisions.</li>
<li>It will provide a cashless, contactless and paperless electronic trade platform between farmers and exporters.</li>
<li>e-SANTA can become a tool to advertise collectively the kind of products the buyers, fishermen &amp; fish producing organisations are harvesting.</li>
<li>It will help people in India &amp; internationally to know about the products availability and has the potential of becoming an auction platform in future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA) is an extension arm of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-aqua-aquaria-india-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)</strong></a>, Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry Govt. of India.</li>
<li>The objectives of NaCSA are to <strong>encourage and uplift the small and marginal farmers</strong> through organization of clusters and maintaining Best Management Practices in shrimp culture.</li>
<li>The primary advantage of cluster approach to shrimp farming is that it contributes to substantial reduction in cost of production.</li>
<li>It also enables participating farmers to organize:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The schedule of farm operations,</li>
<li>Quality seed procurement,</li>
<li>Simultaneous stocking,</li>
<li>Water exchange</li>
<li>Harvesting regimes</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1711426" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB </strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7446,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Five Years of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana',
		'description' => '<h3>Why In News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>flagship crop insurance scheme</strong> of the Government of India - <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-pmfby" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)</strong></a> - has completed five years of its launch.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PMFBY was launched on <strong>13<sup>th&nbsp;</sup>January 2016.</strong></li>
<li>The scheme was conceived as a milestone initiative to provide a <strong>comprehensive risk solution</strong> at the <strong>lowest uniform premium</strong> across the country for farmers.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It provides<strong> a comprehensive insurance cover</strong> against failure of the crop thus helping in stabilising the income of the farmers.</li>
<li><strong>Scope:</strong> All food &amp; oilseed crops and annual commercial/horticultural crops for which past yield data is available.</li>
<li><strong>Premium:</strong> The prescribed premium is<strong> 2%</strong> to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and <strong>1.5%</strong> for all rabi crops. In the case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium is<strong> 5%.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Premium cost over and above the farmer share was <strong>equally subsidized</strong> by States and GoI.</li>
<li>However, GoI shared <strong>90% of the premium subsidy for North Eastern States</strong> to promote the uptake in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scheme was <strong>compulsory for loanee farmers</strong> availing Crop Loan/<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kisan-credit-card-kcc-saturation-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kisan Credit Card</strong></a> (KCC) account for notified crops and voluntary for others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PMFBY 2.0:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to ensure more efficient and effective implementation of the scheme, the central government <strong>had revamped PMFBY in the 2020 Kharif season.</strong></li>
<li>This overhauled PMFBY is often called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revamping-of-pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PMFBY 2.0</strong></a>, it has the following features:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Completely Voluntary:</strong> Enrolment 100% voluntary for all farmers from 2020 Kharif.</li>
<li><strong>Limit to Central Subsidy:</strong> The Cabinet has decided to cap the Centre&rsquo;s premium subsidy under the scheme for premium rates up to 30% for unirrigated areas/crops and 25% for irrigated areas/crops.</li>
<li><strong>More Flexibility to States:</strong> The government has given the flexibility to states/UTs to implement PMFBY and given them the option to select any number of additional risk covers/features.</li>
<li><strong>Investing in ICE Activities:</strong> Insurance companies have to now spend 0.5% of the total premium collected on information, education and communication (IEC) activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Technology under PMFBY:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Crop Insurance App:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Provides for easy enrollment of farmers.</li>
<li>Facilitate easier reporting of crop loss within 72 hours of occurrence of any event.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Latest Technological Tools:</strong> To assess crop losses, <strong>satellite imagery, remote-sensing technology, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-unmanned-aircraft-system-uas-rules-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drones</a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">artificial intelligence</a></strong> and machine learning are used.</li>
<li><strong>PMFBY Portal:</strong> For integration of land records.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance of the Scheme:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Scheme covers over <strong>5.5 crore farmer applications on average per year.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/27-03-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aadhar seeding</strong></a> (linking Aadhaar through Internet banking portals) has helped in speedy claim settlement directly into the farmer accounts.</li>
<li>One notable example is mid-season adversity claims of nearly Rs. 30 crore in <strong>Rajasthan</strong> during<strong> Rabi 2019-20 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/swarm-of-desert-locust" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Locust attack.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rationalising waivers and service delivery:</strong> Loan waiver schemes announced by state governments along with mandatory Aadhar linkage should be rationalised to enable PMFBY of greater coverage.</li>
<li><strong>Enable Timely Compensation:</strong> There has been reports of delayed compensation by some of the states.</li>
<li><strong>Bringing Behavioural Change:</strong> Apart from this, a lot more needs to be done in bringing about a behavioural change regarding the cost of insurance being a necessary input and not a money-back investment.</li>
<li><strong>Streamlining with Similar Schemes:</strong> PMFBY needs to be streamlined with state crop insurance schemes and schemes like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revamp-of-the-crop-insurance-schemes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme</strong></a> to include more risk areas not covered under them.</li>
<li><strong>Proper Implementation:</strong> Successful implementation of PMFBY is an essential benchmark in agricultural reform in India to make farmers self-sufficient in times of crisis and support the creation of an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measures-on-atmanirbhar-bharat-3-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aatmanirbhar</strong> </a>Kisan.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1687913" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7384,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Virtual Agri-Hackathon 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&rsquo; Welfare inaugurated the <strong>Virtual Agri-hackathon 2020</strong> in association with <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-council-of-agricultural-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Agricultural Research Institute</a> (IARI), Pusa, New Delhi.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>IARI</strong> is the country's <strong>premier national Institute for agricultural research, education and extension.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Agri-Hackathon 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Objective :</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will<strong> bring together the most important stakeholders</strong> from industry and government alongside India&rsquo;s young <strong>bright minds, creative startups and smart innovators</strong> who will build new, fast and frugal solutions to tackle the challenges of the agriculture sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Competition:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Requirement:</strong> The hackathon will <strong>accept innovations </strong>and<strong> ideas on farm mechanization, precision agriculture, supply chain </strong>and<strong> food technology, waste to wealth, green energy, </strong>etc.</li>
<li><strong>Prize: Final 24 winners</strong> will get a cash prize of <strong>Rs 1,00,000</strong> along with incubation support, tech &amp; business mentoring and various other benefits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This event is very <strong>crucial from the standpoint of new technology and value addition in agriculture.</strong></li>
<li>It will help achieve<strong> doubling the farmer's income</strong> which in turn will<strong> create many growth opportunities for the entire country.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1685117" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6734,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Aquaponics Facility',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A <strong>pilot &lsquo;Aquaponics facility&rsquo;</strong> has been developed by the<strong> Centre for Development of Advanced Computing</strong> (C-DAC), Mohali at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary University (GADVASU), Ludhiana.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>State-of-the-art facility:</strong> It is equipped with <strong>advanced sensors</strong> for <strong>monitoring and automated controls</strong> of the farming system.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> supercomputing power being provided by C-DAC</strong> in developing agriculture technology.</li>
<li><strong>Funding Support</strong> was provided by<strong> the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</strong> (Meity).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The facility is <strong>nearly 100% organic.</strong></li>
<li>Needs much less land for a given yield of crop.</li>
<li>Consumes 90% less water.</li>
<li>The fish and plants grown together are more nutritious.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Demand</strong> for fishes and crops (lettuce, spinach, capsicum, coriander, broccoli and some other leafy plants) is increasing rapidly in urban areas.</li>
<li>The <strong>aspirational rural youth will be drawn into the mainstream</strong> with help of this technology and agri-economy will get a boost.</li>
<li>This technique will help the farmer in <strong>increasing the productivity</strong> of his land.</li>
<li>Also augment farmer&rsquo;s <strong>income</strong> especially in non-coastal areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Aquaponics</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602668522_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602668522_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="510" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Aquaponics is a system that <strong>combines <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hydroponics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hydroponics</a></strong>,<strong> soil-less agriculture,</strong> and <strong>aquaculture</strong> within a closed system.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Hydroponics:</strong> It is a method of <strong>growing plants</strong> in a <strong>water-based, nutrient-rich solution.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hydroponics does not use soil, instead, the root system is supported using an inert medium such as clay pellets.</li>
<li>The basic premise behind hydroponics is to allow the plant&rsquo;s roots to come in direct contact with the nutrient solution, while also having access to oxygen, which is essential for proper growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aquaculture:</strong> Breeding, raising, and harvesting fish, and aquatic plants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are <strong>three biological components</strong> in the aquaponics process: fish, plants, and bacteria (for cycling of nutrients- ammonia to nitrate conversion).</li>
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With aquaponics, the farmer combines the aquaculture with hydroponic vegetables &ndash; the <strong>fish waste provides fertilizer</strong> for growing plants.</li>
<li>The<strong> plants absorb nutrients and filter the water.</strong> This filtered water is used to <strong>replenish the fish tank.</strong> This is an <strong>environment friendly technique.</strong></li>
<li>The result is value-added, local production of both fish and vegetables together, using the same water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>B<strong>enefits:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Extremely <strong>water efficient.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Does not require soil.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Does not use fertilizers</strong> or chemical pesticides.</li>
<li><strong>Prevents aquaculture waste from polluting</strong> nearby watersheds.</li>
<li>Higher <strong>control on production</strong> leading to lower losses.</li>
<li>Can be used on <strong>non-arable lands</strong> such as deserts, degraded soil or salty, sandy islands.</li>
<li>While the creation of an aquaponics system may require a large initial investment, once it has been built it only <strong>incurs low recurring costs.</strong></li>
<li>In addition, aquaponics can offer <strong>quality-of-life improvements</strong> because the food is produced locally using comparatively simple harvest methods and culturally appropriate crops can be grown.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Centre for Development of Advanced Computing</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>C-DAC is the premier <strong>Research &amp; Development organization</strong> of the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</strong> (Meity) for carrying out R&amp;D in IT, Electronics and associated areas.</li>
<li>India's first supercomputer <strong>PARAM 8000</strong> was indigenously built (in 1991) by the C-DAC.</li>
<li><strong>Various activities of C-DAC in the area of agriculture: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Electronic Nose and Vision (ENOVISION) system</strong> for measuring quality parameters of <strong>tea and rice.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This work is being <strong>extended to other products</strong> such as chilli, turmeric and to environmental engineering.</li>
<li>C-DAC has also developed <strong>Wireless Data Logger</strong> used for determining the fitness of perishable agricultural items.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ubiquitous Agriculture (u-Agri):</strong> An <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-must-get-on-the-iot-highway-fast#:~:text=Internet%20Of%20Things%20(IoT)%20is%20a%20computing%20concept%20that%20describes,than%20the%20object%20by%20itself." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Internet of Things</strong></a> (IoT) based system for acquiring micro-climate information from agricultural fields and providing personalized and localized advisories on Pest and Disease Forewarning and Irrigation Scheduling, to farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1664061" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6697,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Kastoori Cotton',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Union Minister for Textiles unveiled a brand and a logo for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-cotton-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian cotton</strong></a> recently on the occasion of 2<sup>nd</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-cotton-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Cotton Day</strong></a> on 7<sup>th</sup> October 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The branding, <strong>Kasturi Cotton,</strong> would initially be applicable to long-staple cotton that is grown in India and meets prescribed standards.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602316468_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602316468_image2.png" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>World Cotton Day</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Theme for World Cotton Day, 2020:</strong> Cotton: The Fibre that Moves Me</li>
<li><strong>Launched:</strong> By World Trade Organisation in 2019 on the initiative of <strong>Cotton-4 (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali).</strong></li>
<li><strong>In Collaboration with:</strong> United Nations <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food and Agriculture Organization</strong></a> (FAO), the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-investment-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Conference on Trade and Development</strong> </a>(UNCTAD), the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-msme-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Trade Centre</strong></a> (ITC) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cotton</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Kharif Crop</strong> which requires 6 to 8 months to mature.</li>
<li><strong>Drought &ndash; resistant</strong> crop ideal for arid climates.</li>
<li><strong>Occupies 2.1%</strong> of the world&rsquo;s arable land, meets <strong>27%</strong> of the world&rsquo;s textiles need.</li>
<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 <strong>black cotton soil (Regur Soil)</strong> (E.g. Soil of Deccan Plateau)</li>
<li><strong>Products:</strong> fibre, oil and animal feed.</li>
<li><strong>Top Cotton Producing Countries:</strong> China &gt; India &gt; USA</li>
<li><strong>Top Cotton Producing States in India</strong>: Gujarat &gt; Maharashtra &gt; Telangana &gt; Andhra Pradesh &gt; Rajasthan.</li>
<li><strong>Four cultivated species</strong> of cotton: <em>Gossypium arboreum, G.herbaceum, G.hirsutum and G.barbadense.</em><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><em><strong>Gossypium arboreum and G.herbaceum</strong></em> are known as <strong>old-world cotton</strong> or <strong>Asiatic cotton.</strong></li>
<li>G.hirsutum is also known as <strong>American cotton or upland cotton</strong> and G.barbadense as <strong>Egyptian cotton.</strong> These are both <strong>new world cotton species.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hybrid Cotton:</strong> Cotton made by crossing two parent strains that have different genetic characters. Hybrids are often <strong>spontaneously and randomly created in nature</strong> when open-pollinated plants naturally cross-pollinate with other related varieties.</li>
<li><strong>Bt Cotton:</strong> It is a genetically modified organism or genetically modified pest-resistant variety of cotton.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cotton in India</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cotton is an important<strong> fibre and cash crop</strong> which plays a dominant role in the industrial and agricultural economy of India.</li>
<li>India is the&nbsp;<strong>largest producer of cotton</strong> in the world and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-decline-in-cotton-exports" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>third largest exporter</strong></a>. It is also the <strong>largest consumer of cotton</strong> in the world.</li>
<li>The pest-resistant <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/impacts-of-bt-cotton" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genetically Modified (GM) Bt cotton hybrids</strong> </a>have captured the Indian market (covering over<strong> 95%</strong> of the area under cotton) since their <strong>introduction in 2002.</strong></li>
<li>India produces about 6 million tons of cotton every year which is about 23% of the world cotton.</li>
<li>India produces about 51% of the<strong> total organic cotton production</strong> of the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Government Initiatives for Cotton</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Food Security Mission-Commercial Crops (NFSM-CC):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <strong>12<sup>th</sup> Five Year Plan,</strong> under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NFSM</strong></a>, a cropping system approach is being adopted by including commercial crops like cotton, jute and sugarcane.</li>
<li>Cotton Development Programme (CDP), launched in 2014-15 is being implemented under NFSM-CC for enhancing production and productivity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)</strong></a> under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has prescribed a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/organic-food-regulatory-system-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>certification system for organic Cotton</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)</strong> has developed a mobile application called<strong> &ldquo;Cott-Ally&rdquo;</strong> to provide the latest news on weather conditions, the crop situation and best farm practices.</li>
<li>CCI has also opened 430 procurement centres in all cotton-growing states and payments are being made digitally to farmers&rsquo; accounts within 72 hours.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cotton Corporation of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CCI was established in 1970 under the administrative control of the <strong>Ministry of Textiles</strong> as a <strong>Public Sector Undertaking</strong> under the<strong> Companies Act 1956.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra)</li>
<li><strong>Role:</strong> To undertake price support operations, whenever the market prices of cotton fall below the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Prices (MSP)</strong></a> announced by Govt. of India, without any quantitative limit.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cotton Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Central Institute for Cotton Research</strong> has campuses in Nagpur in Maharashtra state and Sirsa in Haryana state.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a central research institute established by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-council-of-agricultural-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) .</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology is situated in Mumbai.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/indian-cotton-gets-kasturi-branding-logo/article32816396.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6243,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Organic Farming in India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>India ranks 1<sup>st</sup> in number of organic farmers</strong> and 9<sup>th</sup> in terms of area under organic farming.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indian Scenario Regarding Organic Farming</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sikkim</strong> became the first State in the <strong>world</strong> to become <strong>fully organic in 2016.</strong></li>
<li><strong>North East India</strong> has traditionally been organic and the consumption of chemicals is far less than the rest of the country.</li>
<li>Similarly the tribal and island territories have been traditionally practicing organic farming.</li>
<li>The major organic exports from India have been <strong>flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses.</strong></li>
<li>There was an increase of nearly 50% in organic exports in 2018-19, touching Rs. 5151 crore.</li>
<li>Commencement of exports from Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland to UK, USA, Eswatini and Italy have proved the potential by increasing volumes and expanding to new destinations as the demand for <strong>health foods</strong> increases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Initiatives to Promote Organic Farming</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER) is a <strong>Central Sector Scheme,</strong> a sub-mission under <strong>National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)</strong></li>
<li>It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in 2015 for implementation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.</li>
<li>The scheme aims to develop certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of the entire value chain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, launched in 2015 is an elaborated component of <strong>Soil Health Management (SHM)</strong> of major project <strong>National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).</strong></li>
<li>Under PKVY, Organic farming is promoted through adoption of organic villages by cluster approach and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Certification Schemes</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-safety-and-standards-authority-of-india-fssai" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong> </a>is the food regulator in the country and is also responsible for regulating organic food in the domestic market and imports.</li>
<li><strong>Participatory Guarantee System (PGS):</strong> PGS is a process of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agriculture-export-policy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>certifying organic products</strong></a>, which ensures that their production takes place in accordance with laid-down quality standards. <strong>PGS Green</strong> is given to chemical free produce under transition to &lsquo;organic&rsquo; which takes 3 years. It is mainly for <strong>domestic purpose.</strong></li>
<li><strong>National Program for Organic Production (NPOP):</strong> NPOP grants organic farming certification through a process of third party certification for<strong> export purposes.</strong></li>
<li><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> has led to a <strong>decline of 8-10%<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/soil-health-card-scheme-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> in the use of chemical fertilizers</a></strong> and also raised productivity by 5-6%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agri-export Policy 2018</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Focus on clusters</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agriculture-export-policy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Marketing and promotion of &ldquo;Produce of India&rdquo;</strong> </a>have positively impacted the organic farming in India</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One District - One Product (ODOP)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The programme aims to encourage more<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-11th-august-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> visibility and sale of indigenous and specialized products/crafts of Uttar Pradesh</strong></a>, generating employment at the district level.</li>
<li>The presence of aggregators is imperative to bring about economies of scale for the small and marginal farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)</strong> launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-formalization-of-micro-food-processing-enterprises-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM FME scheme</strong> </a>as a part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan&rsquo;.</strong></a></li>
<li>It aims to bring in new technology, apart from affordable credit to help small entrepreneurs penetrate new markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Zero Budget Natural Farming</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-formalization-of-micro-food-processing-enterprises-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Zero budget natural farming</strong></a> is a method of chemical-free agriculture drawing from traditional Indian practices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Organic Farming</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to FSSAI,&rsquo;organic farming&rsquo; is a system of farm design and management to create an ecosystem of agriculture production <strong>without the use of synthetic external inputs</strong> such as chemical fertilisers, pesticides and synthetic hormones or genetically modified organisms.</li>
<li><strong>Organic farm produce</strong> means the produce obtained from <strong>organic agriculture,</strong> while <strong>organic food</strong> means food products that have been produced in accordance with <strong>specified standards for organic production.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Natural farming is not a new concept in India, with farmers having tilled their land without the use of chemicals - largely relying on organic residues, cow dung, composts, etc. since time immemorial. This is also in sync with the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal</strong></a> 2 targeting &lsquo;end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Hence with <strong>greater awareness</strong> and<strong> capacity building</strong> of the producers in compliance with international standards, Indian organic farmers will soon be reinforcing their rightful place in global agri trade.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1645497" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6138,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'TRIFED’s Digitisation Drive',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed#:~:text=The%20Tribal%20Cooperative%20Marketing%20Development,of%20Ministry%20of%20Tribal%20Affairs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India</strong></a> (TRIFED) celebrated its<strong> 33<sup>rd</sup> Foundation Day on 6<sup>th</sup> August 2020</strong> and launched its own virtual office on the same day.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Virtual Office:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has <strong>81 online workstations and 100 additional converging State and agency workstations</strong> that will help the team members of TRIFED in working with their partners across the country on mission-mode towards bringing the tribal people closer to mainstream development.</li>
<li>To gauge the level of employee engagement and streamline their efforts, an <strong>Employee Engagement and Work Distribution Matrix</strong> with Dashboard Links has also been launched.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, <strong>every aspect</strong> like shopping, banking, working, etc. has gone <strong>online</strong> and it has been observed that the trend has increased even after relaxations of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdowns</strong></a>.</li>
<li>All these organisational initiatives are a part of TRIFED&rsquo;s ambitious <strong>all-encompassing digitisation drive </strong>to<strong> promote tribal commerce </strong>and<strong> map and link its village-based tribal producers and artisans to national and international markets</strong> by setting up<strong> state of art e-platforms</strong> benchmarked to international standards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>TRIFED came into existence in <strong>1987</strong> as the<strong> national nodal agency</strong> under the aegis of the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>It was registered under the then <strong>Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>started its operations in 1988</strong> with its <strong>head office in New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> Socio-economic development of tribal people, promotion of economic welfare, empowerment of tribal people with knowledge, tools and information and their capacity building.</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong> It mainly undertakes two functions which are <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/msp-hiked-for-minor-forest-produce#:~:text=MFP%2Drich%20districts.-,Minor%20Forest%20Produce%20(MFP),live%20in%20or%20near%20forests." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minor Forest Produce</strong> </a>(MFP) Development and Retail Marketing and Development.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives and Involvement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It started the<strong> procurement and marketing of tribal art and craft items</strong> through its<strong> first retail outlet</strong> called <strong>TRIBES INDIA</strong> in New Delhi in <strong>1999.</strong></li>
<li>It has organised the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/van-dhan-internship-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Van Dhan Internship Programme</strong></a>, to enhance the output of the <strong>Van Dhan Yojana.</strong></li>
<li>It has also launched a transformational <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tech-for-tribals-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tech For Tribals program</strong></a> in partnership with <strong>Institutes of National Importance</strong> (INIs) to develop Tribal entrepreneurship.</li>
<li><strong>TRIFOOD Scheme</strong> is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED and it <strong>promotes value addition to</strong> MFP.</li>
<li><strong>Mechanism for Marketing of MFP through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minimum Support Price</a> (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP</strong> was<strong> implemented in 2013</strong> to<strong> ensure fair returns to forest dwelling <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes#:~:text=However%2C%20Article%20366(25),the%20purposes%20of%20this%20Constitution.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheduled Tribes</a></strong> (STs) and other traditional forest dwellers.</li>
<li>It has organized a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/webinar-on-covid-19-response-by-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Webinar on Covid-19 Response</strong></a> in collaboration with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Children&rsquo;s Fund</strong></a> (UNICEF) and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The webinar was organised for virtual training of TRIFED Trainers and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/self-help-groups-shgs#:~:text=Self%2DHelp%20Groups%20(SHGs),to%20collectively%20perform%20common%20purpose." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Self Help Groups</strong> </a>(SHGs) on basic orientation on Covid-19 response and key preventive measures to ensure that tribal gatherers carry on their work safely.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1644087" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5889,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'App to Monitor Rice Fields: Paddy Watch',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Researchers from University of Sydney in collaboration with other partners have been developing an app i.e.<strong> Paddy watch,</strong> which will act as the <strong>first real-time monitoring platform for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/direct-seeding-of-rice" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rice</a> fields.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project has been undertaken in collaboration with <strong>Google Earth</strong> and the <strong>Group on Earth Observations (GEO).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Development of the App:</strong> The Paddy watch is being developed in partnership with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iari-breeds-nutrient-rich-hybrid-maize" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Agricultural Research Institute</strong></a>, India along with the research institutes from different countries i.e. China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These five countries hold the position of the largest rice-producing countries across the globe.</li>
<li>Among these, <strong>India, China and Indonesia</strong> are the world&rsquo;s three largest producers of rice and together account for about <strong>60% of the total</strong> world production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functioning:</strong> The <strong>real-time land-use data</strong> will be generated using<strong> Google Earth</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/edge-computing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cloud computing technology</strong></a>, and will be verified by field operators in partner countries to ensure accuracy of rice production worldwide.</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Digital Agriculture:</strong> The app would work on <strong>deep-learning techniques</strong> (works on the idea of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></a>) to forecast crop yields and water consumption.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This type of technology would enhance the world's confidence to feed the population in a sustainable way.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Accurate Information:</strong> Accurate and up-to-date information on rice planted and harvested can be achieved through the app. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It would allow <strong>farmers, agricultural scientists, non-government organisations and government planners</strong> to manage land use to<strong> ensure <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">food security</a></strong> in the world&rsquo;s rice bowls.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Therefore, helps in meeting the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a>-mandated <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sustainable development goal</strong></a> No.2 &mdash; of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/daily-updates-news-editorials-how-can-india-overcome-the-zero-hunger-challenge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Zero Hunger.&rsquo;</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It would help in water management and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-ensuring-water-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>water security</strong></a> by predicting the use of water for the rice fields.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>GreenHouse Gas Emission:</strong> As paddy fields release methane, a significant component to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenhouse-gas-levels-reach-record-highs-un-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>greenhouse gases</strong></a>, the app would help in the estimation of the emission and impact of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-warming-of-1-5-c-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>global warming</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Policy Formulation:</strong> The information collected through the app would also help the associated partners to develop policies for education, economic growth, gender equity, and reduction of social inequality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Group on Earth Observations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GEO is a unique <strong>global network</strong> connecting government institutions, academic and research institutions, data providers and scientists to benefit the world by comprehensive and sustained Earth observations.</li>
<li>It coordinates international efforts to build a <strong>Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to produce a <strong>global public infrastructure</strong> that generates, near-real-time environmental data, information and analyses for a wide range of users and mitigation of global issues like climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/economy/first-real-time-digital-platform-to-monitor-rice-fields-can-bolster-food-security-72264" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5617,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently the Union Minister of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&rsquo; Welfare highlighted the role of <strong>Small Farmers&rsquo; Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC)</strong> in increasing <strong>incomes of small and marginal farmers</strong> through aggregation and development of agribusiness.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Established:</strong> SFAC was established in <strong>1994 under Societies Registration Act, 1860</strong> as an autonomous body promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers' Welfare.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> Promoting agribusiness by encouraging institutional and private sector investments and linkages to ensure the empowerment of all farmers in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Organising small and marginal farmers as Farmer Interest Groups, Farmer Producer Organisations and Farmer Producer Company for endowing them with bargaining power and economies of scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Few Important Schemes Implemented by SFAC:</strong> Equity Grant &amp; Credit Guarantee Fund (EGCGF) Scheme , Venture Capital Assistance (VCA) Scheme, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)</strong></a> Scheme, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-features-added-to-e-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Agriculture Market (NAM) Scheme</strong></a>, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Recent Initiatives/Developments:</strong> SFAC launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kisan-rath-app" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kisan Rath app</strong></a> with the help of officials of the Ministry of Agriculture which lessened the problem of transport of farm produce during lockdown.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It signed a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/apeda-signs-mou-with-sfac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)</strong></a> with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to bring in better synergy in the agricultural activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Equity Grant &amp; Credit Guarantee Fund (EGCGF) Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Equity Grant Fund has been set up with the primary objectives of :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Enhancing<strong> viability and sustainability, credit worthiness</strong> of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs),</li>
<li>Enhancing the shareholding of members to increase their ownership and participation in their FPCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme</strong> provides a Credit Guarantee Cover to the Eligible Lending Institution (ELI) to enable them to provide collateral free credit to FPCs.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Venture Capital Assistance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Venture Capital Assistance is financial support in the form of an <strong>interest free loan</strong> provided by SFAC to meet the shortfall in the capital requirement for implementation of the project.</li>
</ul>
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		'article_id' => (int) 5466,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance: Umang Mobile App',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has added the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/heat-waves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></a> weather services to the Umang Mobile App.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>By using the IMD services on the App the users will be able to check the weather forecast of their city in advance.</li>
<li>It will forecast 7 weather related services including current weather, rainfall information, warnings, cyclones, etc.</li>
<li>This digital initiative of IMD would provide weather service with detailed information such as humidity, sunrise, sunset, temperature etc.</li>
<li>The forecast services would help in predicting a seven days forecast in advance of any city along with past 24 hours of weather data.</li>
<li>It would be<strong> significant for the farmers</strong> to get timely updates regarding the weather conditions and in taking the precautions.</li>
<li>Overall it would help in the<strong> prevention of lives, livelihood and loss of property</strong> due to extreme weather conditions.</li>
<li>Umang App provides a single platform for all Indian citizens to access pan India <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-Government services</strong></a> ranging from central to local government bodies and other citizen centric services.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance: The UMANG Mobile App</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a unified, secure, multi-channel, multi-platform, multi-lingual, multi-service mobile app.</li>
<li>It is a Digital India initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched in 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides seamless integration with popular customer centric services like Aadhaar and Digilocker.</li>
<li>It provides a unified approach where one can install one application to avail multiple government services.</li>
<li>It can be accessed on multiple channels like mobile application, web, and SMS which can be accessed through smartphones, tablets and desktops.</li>
<li>It has a rich multimedia interface with a focus on maximizing usability and enriching user experience.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Services provided by the app:</strong> It is a unified application that can be used to avail a number of pan India e-government services such as: Filing income tax, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/epfo-disbursed-claims" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO)</strong></a> services, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aadhar-and-its-voluntary-use" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aadhar</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/streamlining-of-national-pension-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pension</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-primary-education-challenges-and-opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ePathshala</strong></a>, e- Land Records, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revamp-of-the-crop-insurance-schemes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Crop Insurance</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1626146" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5309,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Ordinance to Check APMCs: Gujarat',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Gujarat&rsquo;s state government</strong> has cleared the <strong>Gujarat Agricultural Produce Markets (Amendment) Ordinance 2020.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has ended the monopoly of state-run <strong>Agricultural Produce Market Committees</strong> (APMCs) and has allowed private entities to set up their own market committees or sub-market yards.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Highlights of the Ordinance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Restrictions on Jurisdiction:</strong> The ordinance restricts the jurisdiction of APMCs to the <strong>physical boundaries of their respective marketing yards</strong> and they can<strong> levy cess only on those transactions,</strong> happening within the boundary walls of their marketing yard.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, an APMC had <strong>jurisdiction</strong> over an<strong> entire or more than one taluka.</strong></li>
<li>Farmers and traders of a particular taluka had to<strong> compulsorily sell their produce to their respective APMCs.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from that, APMCs<strong> levied a cess on any transaction</strong> that happened<strong> within the marketing yard</strong> of the APMC or <strong>outside</strong> it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Opportunity to Private Markets:</strong> The ordinance permits for setting up of private markets.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Privately-owned old storages or warehouses</strong> can be <strong>converted</strong> into a sub-market yard or a private market that can compete with the APMCs.</li>
<li><strong>Farmers can also set up</strong> private markets themselves.</li>
<li>To <strong>save the smaller APMCs</strong> from the negative competition from private markets and a fair play, the state government plans to bring a<strong> rule that will not allow the setting up of a private market within a five-kilometre radius of an existing APMC.</strong></li>
<li>Also to protect them, the government will <strong>collect 20%</strong> <strong>cess from private players </strong>and <strong>reroute 14% of it back to the APMCs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unified Single Trading Licence:</strong> The ordinance provides traders with one unified single trading licence through which they can <strong>participate in trading activities anywhere in the state.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will allow multiple traders to attract the farmers depending on the quality of their produce and offer competitive prices <strong>without the restriction of place and area jurisdiction.</strong></li>
<li>For that, amendments allow <strong>setting up of portals for e-markets.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expansion in Grievance Redressal:</strong> The<strong> director of an APMC</strong> and the <strong>Gujarat State Agriculture marketing board</strong> will also start taking<strong> care of the grievance redressal</strong> which was solely managed by the APMC till now.</li>
<li><strong>Expected Benefits to the Farmers:</strong> Permission to private entities will lead to <strong>competition</strong> and will<strong> offer the best possible remuneration to farmers</strong> for their produce.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Till now, <strong>APMCs</strong> used to <strong>form a cartel and decide on what prices to offer</strong> to farmers.</li>
<li>Farmers will not be bound to sell only to one particular APMC and can <strong>choose the one with the best deal</strong> in their favour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Viewpoint of APMCs</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>APMCs have not welcomed</strong> the decision because<strong> it ends their monopoly</strong> and <strong>allows private players</strong> to enter.</li>
<li>The ordinance will also <strong>affect revenues</strong> because no cess will be collected on transactions outside the physical boundaries of marketing yards.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, last year, of the ₹2.5 crore earned as market fees, ₹1.5 crore came from transactions that were conducted outside the marketing yard. With the new ordinance in place, this<strong> revenue will be lost.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Agricultural Produce Market Committee</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>statutory market committee </strong>constituted by a <strong>State Government</strong> in respect of trade in certain notified <strong>agricultural or horticultural or livestock products,</strong> under the <strong>Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act</strong> issued by that state government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Agriculture is a state subject.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensure transparency in pricing systems and transactions taking place in the market area.</li>
<li>Provide market-led extension services to farmers.</li>
<li>Ensure payment for agricultural produce sold by farmers on the same day.</li>
<li>Promote agricultural processing including activities for value addition in agricultural produce.</li>
<li>Setup and promote public private partnership in the management of agricultural markets, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ministry of Agriculture, formulated a<strong> model law</strong> on agricultural marketing, <strong>State Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2003</strong> and requested the state governments to suitably amend their respective APMC Acts.</li>
<li>Union <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/government-budgeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Budgets</strong></a> of 2014-15 and 2015-16 had <strong>suggested the creation of a National Agricultural Market</strong> (NAM) following which <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/infographics-paper-3-national-agriculture-market-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-NAM</strong> </a>was launched on 14<sup>th</sup> April 2016 as a <strong>pan-India electronic trade portal to link APMCs across the States.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-brings-in-ordinance-to-check-apmcs-opens-doors-to-private-players-6405316/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5211,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Kisan Sabha App',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI),</strong> New Delhi has <strong>developed the Kisan Sabha App</strong> to connect farmers to the supply chain and freight transportation management system.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The app also intends to provide a robust supply chain management required to facilitate the timely delivery of the products at the best possible prices during the present situation of<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Covid-19</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Kisan Sabha aims to provide the <strong>most economical and timely logistics support to the farmers.</strong></li>
<li>It also intends to<strong> increase the profit margins</strong> for farmers by minimizing interference of middlemen and directly connecting with the institutional buyers.</li>
<li>It will also help in providing best market rates of crops by comparing nearest mandis, booking of freight vehicles at cheapest cost thereby giving maximum benefit to the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stakeholders Involved:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The app connects the farmers, transporters, Service providers (like pesticides/ fertilizer/ dealers, cold store and warehouse owner), mandi dealers, customers (like big retail outlets, online stores, institutional buyers) and other related entities for a timely and effective solution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Function:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It acts as a <strong>single stop for every entity related to agriculture,</strong> be they a farmer who needs better price for the crops or mandi dealer who wants to connect to more farmers or truckers who invariably go empty from the mandis.</li>
<li>Kisan Sabha also <strong>provides a platform for people who want to buy directly from the farmers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) was established in 1952 as a constituent laboratory of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>It is located in Delhi.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>premier national research organization for highways traffic and transport planning</strong> and all other allied aspects.</li>
<li>It carries out R&amp;D in the areas of road and road transportation and provides the highest level of professional consultancy.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1620086" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5059,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Kisan Rath App',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers Welfare</strong> has launched <strong>&lsquo;Kisan Rath&rsquo; mobile application (app)</strong> to <strong>facilitate transportation of foodgrains</strong> and perishable <strong>during <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lockdown</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The application has been developed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nic-and-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Informatics Centre -NIC</strong></a> (backed by the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology).</strong></li>
<li>It will be <strong>available in eight languages</strong> initially, including english and hindi.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The app is expected to <strong>connect farmers and traders to a network of more than 5 lakh trucks</strong> and 20,000 tractors.</li>
<li>It is meant <strong>to help farmers and traders who are searching for vehicles to move produce.</strong> This includes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Primary transport</strong> from the farm to the mandis, local warehouses or the collection centres of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>farmer producer organisations.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Secondary transport</strong> from the local mandis to intra-and inter-State mandis, processing units, railway stations, warehouses or wholesalers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Government has granted relaxation in the nationwide lockdown for activities related to agriculture-farming</strong> and allied activities with a view to address problems being faced by the farming community.</li>
<li>The app will be a stepping stone towards provision of <strong>timely transportation service at competitive rates</strong> for farmers and traders, besides achieving a<strong> reduction in food wastage.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will help in ensuring <strong>better prices of the produce to farmers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/kisan-rath-to-link-farmers-to-transport-options/article31370226.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => 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) 4914,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'New Features Added to e-NAM',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare</strong> has launched three new features of the <strong><a href="/infographics/info-paper3/infographics-paper-3-national-agriculture-market-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Agriculture Market</a> (e-NAM)</strong> Platform.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The new features will strengthen agriculture marketing by <strong>reducing farmers&rsquo; need to physically go to wholesale mandis</strong> for selling their harvested produce.</li>
<li>It is an important move at a time when there is a critical need to <strong>decongest mandis</strong> to effectively fight against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Integration of Negotiable Warehouse Receipt System (e-NWRs) Module with e-NAM</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under it, <strong>a warehouse trading module with payment feature</strong> is launched.</li>
<li>It will enable small and marginal farmers to directly trade their stored produce from selected <strong>Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) registered warehouses</strong> which are declared deemed market by the State.</li>
<li>Farmers will be able to place their produce in WDRA accredited warehouses.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Telangana (14 warehouses) and Andhra Pradesh (23 warehouses) have already declared designated warehouses as deemed markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Depositor can save the logistics expenses and will have better income.</li>
<li>Farmers can sell the produce across the Nation at better price without the hassle of going to mandi.</li>
<li>Farmers with their produce in WDRA accredited warehouses can avail the benefit of pledge loan, if required.</li>
<li>Price stabilization by matching supply and demand through time and place utility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>FPO trading Module</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will enable <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Farmer Producers&rsquo; Organisations</a> (FPOs)</strong> to upload the picture of their produce and quality parameters from their premise/collection centres for bidding.</li>
<li>Distant bidders can visualise the produce before bidding by seeing the pictures and quality.</li>
<li>After successful bidding, FPOs can deliver the produce from their premises or by bringing it to mandi.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will decongest mandis and also reduce the hassle.</li>
<li>This will help FPOs by reducing logistics costs and enhance their bargaining power.</li>
<li>Facilitates FPOs to avail online payment facility with ease of doing business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Launch of Logistic Module</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A provision has been made for <strong>linking large logistic aggregator</strong> platforms providing choices to users.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Presently, e-NAM provides a database of <strong>individual transporters</strong> to the traders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Traders will be able to use the link to navigate to the logistics provider&rsquo;s website and select appropriate services.</li>
<li>With these additions, more than 3,75,000 number of trucks from large logistic providers would be added for logistic purpose.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will help in seamless transportation of agri-produce.</li>
<li>This will promote inter-state trade by providing online transport facilities for distant buyers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>e-NAM</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was launched on 14<sup>th</sup> April 2016 as a <strong>pan-India electronic trade portal</strong> linking <strong>Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs)</strong> across the States.</li>
<li>It provides for contactless remote bidding and mobile-based anytime payment for which traders do not need to either visit mandis or banks for the same.</li>
<li>Already 585 mandis in 16 States and 2 Union Territories have been integrated on e-NAM portal and will be soon expanded to cover additional 415 mandis, which will take the total number of e-NAM mandis to 1,000.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Negotiable Warehouse Receipt System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was launched in <strong>2011</strong> but the <strong>Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution.</strong></li>
<li>Farmers can <strong>seek loans from banks against the warehouse receipts</strong> issued to them against their storage.</li>
<li>These <strong>receipts issued by the warehouses registered with the WDRA</strong> would become a fully negotiable instrument backed by a Central legislation.</li>
<li>The <strong>Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (e-NWR) System</strong> was launched in<strong> 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was constituted on 26<sup>th</sup> October 2010 under the <strong>Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>statutory authority</strong> under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.</li>
<li>It is headquartered in <strong>New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>The Act provides for the establishment of the WDRA to exercise the powers conferred on it and to perform the functions assigned to it under the Act, Rules and Regulations for the development and regulation of warehouses, negotiability of warehouse receipts and promote orderly growth of the warehousing business in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=200941" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 4576,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Conference 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The 11<sup>th</sup> National Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Conference was held in New Delhi.</p>
<h3>Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>KVK is an integral part of the <strong>National Agricultural Research System (NARS).&nbsp;</strong>The first KVK was established in 1974 at <strong>Puducherry.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>mandate</strong> of KVK is technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development.</li>
<li>It aims at assessment of location specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.</li>
<li>KVKs also produce quality technological products (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make it available to farmers.</li>
<li>The KVK scheme is <strong>100% financed by the Government of India</strong> and the KVKs are sanctioned to Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutes, related Government Departments and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) working in Agriculture.</li>
<li>KVKs act as a bridge between the laboratories and farmland. According to the Government, these are crucial to fulfilling the target of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/technology-and-doubling-farmers-income" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> doubling farmers&rsquo; income by 2022.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Developments in Agriculture</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>R&amp;D has been done in the Agriculture sector. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Superior crop varieties</strong> have been released. (Eg;-Wheat: HD 4728 (Pusa Malvi))</li>
<li>171 mobile apps developed for farmers. (Eg:-<strong>Kisan Suvidha)</strong></li>
<li>More than three lakh <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-maan-dhan-yojana-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Common Service Centres (CSCs)</a> </strong>opened.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-agri-business-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eNAM portal</a></strong> has been created so that the farmer gets a better price for his produce.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1604668" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 4444,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Bringing A Multiplier Effect In Indian Agriculture',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/giving-pm-kisan-the-multiplier-effect/article30812647.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Giving PM-KISAN the multiplier effect&rdquo;</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/thinking-beyond-farm-sops/article30706291.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Thinking beyond farm sops&rdquo;</strong></a>. It talks about an array of reforms that need to be carried out in order to bring a multiplier effect to India&rsquo;s agricultural growth.</p>
</div>
<p>Agriculture is a crucial segment for inclusive development and provides stimulus to the economy, especially when it is not doing too well. Since India has laid down the target of <strong>doubling farmers' income by 2022,</strong> therefore, it is imperative to lay a strong foundation by launching measures that can stem falling farm growth.</p>
<p>In pursuance of this, the government had launched a direct income transfer scheme called <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/08-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)</strong></a> in 2019. Though the scheme was a tectonic shift in the nature of government support to farmers in India.</p>
<p>However, <strong>there is a lot to be done (than just addressing the liquidity constraints of farmers), to achieve a vibrant agrarian sector in India.</strong></p>
<h3>PM-KISAN Scheme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PM-KISAN scheme was aimed at <strong>addressing the liquidity constraints of farmers</strong> for meeting their expenses for the acquisition of agricultural inputs and services.</li>
<li>The scheme implemented from February 2019 provides each eligible farmer&rsquo;s family <strong>₹6,000 per annum in three instalments of ₹2,000 each.</strong></li>
<li>This scheme is particularly important in a country like India, where still about half of the farming households do not have access to formal credit.</li>
<li>Initially, farmers with less than two hectares of land were eligible; subsequently, the benefit was extended to all farmers (about 140 million farmers) from June 2019 onwards. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary&rsquo;s bank account to check leakages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>93% of non-beneficiary farmers</strong> had already applied for the scheme, depicting awareness and potential uptake.</li>
<li>Banking infrastructure created through <strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana</strong> (PMJDY) and digitisation of the complete database of farmers who were now registered in the system with their credentials by the state governments played a key role in the fund disbursal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How PM-KISAN scheme can be augmented to give a multiplier effect?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to a study conducted by <strong>International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in association with the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)</strong> in Uttar Pradesh, PM-KISAN scheme along with <strong>agricultural advisory services (Krishi Vigyan Kendras),</strong> can pull farmers out of poverty.</li>
<li>By investing more in agricultural advisory services, the government can encourage farmers to invest some or all part of the income support in productive assets for achieving the multiplier effect of PM-KISAN <strong>(the exponential growth in India&rsquo;s agricultural growth trajectory).</strong></li>
<li>Farmers receiving PM-KISAN benefit in the agricultural peak season are more likely to spend it on agriculture, and those getting it in the off-season are more likely to spend it on consumption.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This clearly suggests that the timing of benefits has implications on spending patterns.</li>
<li>Therefore, <strong>the transfer of benefits should be synchronised in a way that prompts farmer for investment in agriculture.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>A direct transfer scheme like<strong> PM-KISAN is a game-changer</strong> and can have significant effects if it is timely, not transaction cost heavy and is provided with complementary inputs such as extension services.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Extension Services:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The extension is an informal educational process directed toward the rural population. This process offers advice and information to help them solve their problems.</li>
<li>The extension also aims to increase the efficiency of the family farm, increase production and generally increase the standard of living of the farm family.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>However, <strong>in the absence of holistic agricultural reforms, direct income transfer will just be one cog in the wheel.</strong> In this context other reforms that need to be taken are:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>disparity in agriculture expenditure and growth drivers needs to be addressed.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite higher growth in livestock and fisheries sector, only moderate to low expenditure was recorded.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>expenditure on research and development</strong> in agriculture needs to be raised from nearly 0.40% of agriculture GDP to 1% as it pays huge dividends in the long run in ameliorating poverty and improving livelihoods compared to any other investment.</li>
<li>Considering India&rsquo;s dependency on agriculture and recurring climate-induced disasters, it is imperative to expand the implementation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/smart-farming-in-a-warm-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Climate-Smart Villages</strong> </a>all across the nation.</li>
<li>The<strong> Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs),</strong> which are currently facing operational and structural issues governed by different Acts and funded by various sources, may be strengthened by bringing them under one institution, preferably an FPO Development and Regulatory Authority.</li>
<li>A structured impetus must be given to building <strong>blockchain-based e-marketplaces</strong> connecting farmers, traders, agencies, institutions and exporters on a common platform to check price fluctuations and harness decentralisation.</li>
<li><strong>Affordable technologies</strong> must be developed and deployed particularly in rural and remote areas where digital literacy of farmers has improved considerably.</li>
<li><strong>Small-scale investment measures</strong> or an incentive-based system is essential to scale up sustainable practices such as agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, ecosystem services, conservation agriculture and others.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Large-scale investment in agriculture over several years have encouraged monoculture, threatening the environment and soil health (mainly in green revolution areas).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing corporate social responsibility</strong> will help to tap more private investments besides encouraging private players in potential areas where production sustainability is possible.</li>
<li>The government must establish a <strong>farm data agency,</strong> which can consolidate, collate and maintain farm data available at various platforms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Access to farm agency data for scientific institutions and all other relevant stakeholders can hasten the process of technology dissemination and aid research systems for better policies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Commissioning <strong>Ease of Farming Index</strong> is necessary to ascertain the progress made by national and state governments on the key indicators of farming.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This perhaps stands away from the conventional assessment of the effectiveness of agriculture policies and programmes that are part of the farm support system.</li>
<li>Moreover, the exercise may foster cooperative and competitive federalism besides encouraging States which are lagging behind to catch up.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The need of the hour is to set up <strong>two key institutions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>national agricultural development council</strong> on the lines of the Goods and Services Tax Council under the chairmanship of Prime Minister for effective coordination and convergence of States on key reforms and policies.</li>
<li><strong>Farmers&rsquo; welfare commissions</strong> (both at the Centre and State level), as an independent institutional mechanism which will act as a neutral platform for assessing all agriculture-related issues and schemes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is pertinent to deliberate on an<strong> &lsquo;Indian Agricultural Service&rsquo;</strong> on the lines of the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.</li>
<li>In addition, to deal effectively with increasing droughts and floods and other extreme events, <strong>transfer of agriculture to the concurrent list is of prime importance.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Therefore, the right mix of direct benefits and price support with focused investment on resource conservation might bring stability in farmers&rsquo; income.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f7ebd0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Despite several measures to reduce the vulnerability of farmers in India, the farm sector and farmers continue to suffer losses. Suggest some measures that can be taken to improve their conditions.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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