AGRICULTURE CURRENT AFFAIRS AUGUST 2021

AGRICULTURE CURRENT AFFAIRS AUGUST 2021

Use of Modern Technology for Crop Production Forecasting

• FASAL Scheme (Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, Agro-meteorology and Land based observations) is used for crop production forecasting of field crops. Nine crops which are assessed under FASAL are Rice, Wheat, Tur, Rabi Pulses, Rapeseed & Mustard, Rabi Jowar, Cotton, Jute and Sugarcane.
• CHAMAN (Coordinated Horticulture Assessment and Management using geo-informatics) is for horticulture crops. The seven crops which are being assessed under CHAMAN project are Potato, Onion, Tomato, Chilli, Mango, Banana and Citrus.
• In both the projects, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has major role in developing methodologies. Currently the programmes are being operationalized by Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) of Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, with technology support from ISRO.
• The Government is using satellite based estimates for planning and decision making purposes with respect to storage, pricing and import/export. Satellite based indices are used for drought assessment and for various applications under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) such as Smart Sampling for Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs), Yield Dispute Resolution and Direct Yield Estimation and Crop Intensification in Rice fallow areas and horticulture expansion in North-eastern States.
• The Government of India proposes to migrate to technology based yield estimation from the conventional CCE based yield estimation.

Contribution of Agriculture Sector towards GDP

As per Provisional Estimates of Annual of National Income, released by National Statistical Office (NSO) on 31st May 2021, the share of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in Gross Value Added (GVA) of the country during the last three years at current prices is as follows:

(%age share of GVA of Agriculture & Allied sectors to Total Economy)-
2018-19- 17.6%
2019-20- 18.4%
2020-21- 20.2%

Sustaining Agricultural Production and Development of Alkaline and Arid Land

• Agriculture ministry is implementing Reclamation of Problem Soils (RPS) as a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) since 2016-17 for development of problem soils (Alkalinity, Salinity and Acidity) on pilot basis in 15 States to bring such land under cultivation.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal and All India Coordinated Research Project has developed technologies for reclamation of alkali which suggests for growing   salt tolerant varieties of different crops and application of amendments such as, Gypsum, organic manure and green manuring and surface and sub-surface drainage. 

Addressing Queries of Farmers in 22 languages

• The Government has increased the locations of Kisan Call Centres (Toll free Number- 1800-180-1551) from 14 to 21 centres since September, 2018. Replies to the queries of farmers are given in all the 22 major languages used by farmers across the country.
• Kisan Call Centre was launched on 21 January, 2004 by Dpt. of Agriculture & Cooperation and Ministry of Agriculture.

Ensuring Quality Seeds for better Production and Productivity

Seed Testing Laboratories analyses the seed quality standard viz. germination per cent, purity, moisture content and admixture of seeds of other distinguish varieties/crops, inert matter etc. thereby enabling the farming community to get quality seeds for better production and productivity.

Under Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP), financial support is provided to States/UTs for strengthening of Seed Testing Laboratories for purchase of new equipment, DNA Finger Printing Facilities and specialized Seed Health Testing Unit, office automation/ communication facilities etc.

Farmers Benefited Through MSP

GOI announces Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 22 major agricultural commodities of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) each year in both the Crop seasons after recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

• Procurement centres are opened by respective State Government Agencies and Central Nodal Agencies like NAFED, FCI etc. large number of the purchase centres in addition to the existing Mandis and depots/godowns are also established at key points for the convenience of farmers to ensure procurement at MSP.
• As per data from GOI, 04 crore farmers are benefitted from Government procurement at MSP during 2019-20.

Production of Pulses has been increasing during the last 3 years

To increase the production of pulses, NFSM-Pulses programme is being implemented in 644 districts of 28 States and UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

As per 3rd Advance Estimates, Rajasthan ranks 1^st in production with 4821.84 Thousand Tonnes, M.P- 4364.74 Thousand Tonnes, Maharashtra- 4224.87 Thousand Tonnes, while All India production is 25575.69 Thousand Tonnes in pulse production.

Under NFSM-Pulses, incentives are given to the farmer for cluster demonstration, seeds distribution & production of certified seeds of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs), farm machineries, and efficient water saving devices, plant protection chemicals, nutrient management, soil ameliorants and training to the farmers. Initiatives taken under NFSM (pulses) are as follow:-

• Support for breeder seed production of pulses.
• 150 Seed Hubs created at ICAR institutes, State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for increasing certified seeds production of pulses.
• Distribution of seed minikits of pulses free of cost to the farmers of the varieties notified within 10 years.
• ICAR/KVKs/SAUs conduct the demonstrations on improved latest package of practices.
• Assistance is provided to Central Seed Agencies to produce certified seed of latest varieties of pulses.
• A new scheme “Intercropping of pulses with sugarcane” was implemented in 12 States namely- Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand during 2018-19 and     2019-20.
• Launched Targeting Rice fallow Area (TRFA) programme under NFSM in 11 states.

India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA)

Government is in the process of finalising ‘India Digital Ecosystem of agriculture (IDEA)’ which will lay down a framework for Agristack. This Ecosystem shall help the Government in effective planning towards increasing the farmers’ income in particular and improving the efficiency of the Agriculture sector as a whole.

• A Task Force has been constituted and in furtherance, a Concept Paper on IDEA has already been floated for comments from the general public through department’s website and through emails especially to subject matter specialists, Agro-Industry, Farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
• The IDEA would help in laying down the architecture for the Agri-stack in the country and that would serve as a foundation to build innovative agri-focused solutions leveraging emerging technologies to contribute effectively in creating a better Ecosystem for Agriculture in India. Government has already initiated building federated farmers’ database that would serve as the core of the envisaged Agristack.
• Leading Technology/Agri-tech/StartUp companies are also invited to collaborate with the Government of India to develop Proof of Concepts (PoC) based on small portions of data from the federated Farmers’ database for certain identified areas. The PoCs will help in understanding solutions that can be built using available data and some of them, if found beneficial to the farmers will be scaled up at National level.
• Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has signed an MoU with Esri India Technologies Private Limited for working on a Proof of Concept (PoC) in selected Districts/Villages to develop a model for an Agriculture Geo-Hub. The objective is to establish a framework to collect and integrate available geo-spatial information, perform spatial analytics, share results & data and deploy dynamic Apps which would support estimates for policy planning, monitoring requirements and ease in decision making.

Government’s Measures to make Small holdings more Viable

According to Agriculture Census 2015-16, India have 68.45% Marginal farmers, 17.62% Small farmers, while Marginal Female framers are 0.05%. U.P has maximum marginal farmers followed by Bihar, while Maharashtra has maximum small farmers followed by U.P.

• To make small holdings more viable emphasis is on adoption of modern technologies and practices like multiple cropping, intercropping and integrated farming systems. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is conducting research programme to develop location specific varieties and technologies for enhancing the production and productivity of farm holdings.
• To increase the production, the government of India is implementing several Crop Development Schemes such as, National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), and Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), and Soil Health Card etc.
• To achieve further growth in agricultural area under irrigation and to meet the objectives of National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Government is implementing Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) since 2015-16 with the motto of “Har Khet Ko Pani” for providing end to end solutions in irrigation supply chain.

Creating Awareness among Farmers for Nutri Cereals (Millets)

The Government, under the Sub Mission on National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Nutri Cereals, is creating awareness among farmers for Nutri Cereals such as ragi, sorghum, bajra and small millets through demonstration and training. 

This is part of NFSM scheme; however the States can promote Nutri Cereals (Millets) under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER).

Aim and Objectives of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

• The AIF scheme aims to mobilize a medium-long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets to improve agriculture infrastructure in the country.
• The scheme provide financial assistance in the form of interest subvention and credit guarantee for setting Post Harvest Management projects which will help better post-harvest management and reduction in wastage.

The following community farming assets projects are eligible under the scheme:

• Organic inputs production
• Bio stimulant production units
• Infrastructure for smart and precision agriculture.
• Projects identified for providing supply chain infrastructure for clusters of crops including export clusters.
• Projects promoted by Central/State/Local Governments or their agencies under PPP for building community farming assets or post-harvest management projects.

Development of Horticulture Cluster

Cluster Development Programme (CDP) has been designed to leverage geographical specialization of horticulture clusters to make them globally competitive. The main objectives of the CDP are as under:

• Address the concerns of the horticulture value chain from pre-production, production, post-harvest management and value addition to logistics, marketing and branding in an integrated manner for accelerating competitiveness in the domestic and export market.
• Reduce harvest and post-harvest losses by developing or upgrading the infrastructure for post-harvest handling of produce, value addition and market linkages.
• Facilitate the introduction of innovative technologies and practices to help enhance the global competitiveness of focus cluster crops.
• Build the capacity of stakeholders and enhance farmers’ income through cluster-specific interventions including brand promotion.

The formation of FPOs is an integral part of Horticulture CDP which will help farmers with small land holding and help them in achieving economies of scale in an integrated manner by addressing concerns of entire value chain in the selected clusters. List of selected 12 clusters under pilot phase of Cluster Development Programme are as below:

 

National Innovation on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, launched a flagship network project ‘National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture’ (NICRA) in 2011.

• It aims at strategic research on adaptation and mitigation, demonstration of technologies on farmers’ fields and creating awareness among farmers to minimize the climatic change impacts on agriculture.
• In the research, the main areas covered are (i) identifying most vulnerable districts/regions, (ii) evolving crop varieties and management practices for adaptation and mitigation, (iii) assessing climate change impacts on livestock, fisheries and poultry and identifying adaptation strategies. So far, 7 climate resilient varieties and 650 district agricultural contingency plans have been developed besides assessing the risk and vulnerability of Indian agriculture to climate change.  

Production of Exportable Crops

Government has announced a comprehensive Agri Export Policy (AEP), 2018 which focuses on farmer centric approach and envisages promotion of export oriented production.

• AEP encourages farmers to grow exportable crops which are in high demand in the international markets through pre/post-harvest management of production in identified clusters in the country.
• Besides, also encourages to boost high value and value added agricultural exports including focus on perishables, promoting novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional agri products’ exports, enabling farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in overseas markets.
• The scheme “Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)” for holistic growth of the horticulture sector is already running. It covers fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa in the country.

Potential for Agroforestry

To tap the potential of agroforestry, the Agri dpt. has been running Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme since 2016-17. The Scheme promotes the plantation of trees only for land holding farmers.

The scheme provides financial assistance to farmers for plantation activities along with development of various types of nurseries for producing quality planting materials/seeds to the farmers.

To increase market linkages, access and to promote consumption of agroforestry goods, the scheme is implemented in those States which have relaxed felling and transit regulations for important agroforestry species.

Organic Farming Promotion

Government has been promoting organic farming through schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER). 

Farmers are provided financial assistance for Rs.31000/ha/3 years in PKVY and Rs.32500/ha/3 years under MOVCDNER for organic inputs such as seeds, biofertilisers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost etc. Besides, support is also provided for group/Farmers Producers Organization (FPO) formation, training, certification, value addition and marketing of their organic produce.

Schemes for Women Farmers

States and other Implementing Agencies have to incur at least 30% expenditure on women farmers. These schemes include Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms, NFSM, National Mission on Oilseed & Oil Palm, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, Sub-Mission for Seed and Planting Material, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.

The Ministry of Rural Development launched a scheme namely ‘Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)’, as a sub component of DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission). This scheme is being implemented since 2011 with the objective to empower women by making systematic investments to enhance their participation and productivity, and create sustainable livelihoods for rural women.

In order to familiarize women with the latest techniques in agriculture and allied sectors, skill trainings are being imparted to women farmers. These include Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms (ATMA) under Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE).

Strengthening APMCS through Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme

Government of India has launched the Central Sector Scheme of financing facility under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to boost Agriculture Infrastructure relating to Post-Harvest Management (PHM) and Community Farming Assets in the country.

Under this scheme financing facility of Rs.1 lakh crore is to be disbursed by banks/lending institutions as loans to eligible beneficiaries.

This financing facility will help APMCs to upgrade their infrastructure, which will ultimately benefit the farmers.

PM Releases 9^th Installment of PM-KISAN

More than Rs. 19,500 crores transferred directly into the accounts of more than 9.75 crores beneficiary farmer families.

It was the 9th installment of the financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).

 

Opening of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)

The Government has made a provision for opening of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each of the rural districts across the country.

A total of 725 KVKs have been established across the country till date.

No state has reported the Seed Production of Unapproved Bt gene

In India, only Bt Cotton is approved for commercial cultivation. Few incidences of illegal marketing of Genetically Modified seeds of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) cotton were reported in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana and Maharashtra. However, no state has reported the production of seed of unapproved Bt gene.

Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology set up “Field Inspection and Scientific Evaluation Committee (FISEC)” in 2017 for on-the spot inspection of the cotton fields to assess the veracity of spread of unapproved HT cotton.

DAC&FW has issued advisory to all cotton growing states to control and curb the sale and cultivation of unapproved HT Cotton vis-à-vis its seed production, processing and storage.

Development of new crops

The National Agricultural Research System (NARS) under ICAR comprising of ICAR Institutes and State/Central Agricultural Universities are involved in development of new high yielding and biotic/abiotic stress tolerant crop varieties of field and horticultural crops.

During last 3 years (2018-2020) and current year, 1017 varieties of 69 field crops and 206 varieties of 58 horticultural crops have been developed.

ICAR has a strong network of All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs)/ All India Network Projects (AINPs), coordinated by different ICAR institutes, which are operational in the various Central and State Agricultural Universities and ICAR institutes for development of new crop varieties of field and horticultural crops.

Presently, 44 AICRPs/AINPs of field and horticultural crops are operational through 50 SAUs/CAUs/DUs and 55 ICAR institutes across the country at 1017 locations.

Low-cost capsule converts Paddy stubble into bio-manure

Pusa Decomposer Technology developed by ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi for crop residue management across the country as given below:

1. Its capsule kits were provided to the farmers of 25 states during 2020-21.
2. In-situ application of Pusa decomposer on paddy residue was demonstrated at farmers’ fields in several villages of Punjab and Haryana. A slogan of “jalana nahi, galana hai”was publicized among the farmers for awareness.
3. A field visit was also organized in association with the Delhi Govt officials for the scientists of PAU, Ludhiana and HAU, Hisar along with progressive farmers of Haryana, UP and Punjab to assess the decomposition of paddy straw using “Pusa decomposer” at Delhi farmers’ fields.

Fourth Advance Estimate of principal crops released

A record 308.65 million tonnes of food grains have been produced. As per 4^th Advance Estimates, the estimated production 2020-21 is as under:

• Foodgrains – 308.65 million tonnes. (record)
• Oilseeds – 36.10 million tonnes. (record)
• Sugarcane – 399.25 million tonnes
• Cotton –  35.38 million bales (of 170 kg each)
• Jute  & Mesta – 9.56 million bales (of 180 kg each)

BRICS Partnership for Strengthening Agro Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Security

BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Agriculture Research Platform has been developed by India to promote cooperation in the areas of agricultural research, extension, technology transfer, training and capacity building.

Gene Bank at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar on 16.08.2021 inaugurated the world’s second-largest refurbished state-of-the-art National Gene Bank at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Pusa, New Delhi.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, explained the activities and progress of the Bureau.

The National Gene Bank established in the year 1996 to preserve the seeds of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) for future generations, has the capacity to preserve about one million germplasm in the form of seeds. Presently it is protecting 4.52 lakh accessions, of which 2.7 lakh are Indian germplasm and the rest have been imported from other countries.

National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister on 18.08.2021 has given its approval to launch “National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)” as a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a special focus on the North east region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

• A financial outlay of Rs.11, 040 crore has been made for the scheme, out of which Rs.8, 844 crore is the Government of India share and Rs.2, 196 crore is State share. The scheme will benefit the oil palm farmers, shall reduce the import dependence.
• Oil palm produces 10 to 46 times more oil per hectare compared to other oilseed crops and has yield of around 4 tons oil per ha. Thus, it has enormous potential for cultivation.
• The scheme includes two major areas- first the oil palm farmers produce Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) from which oil is extracted by the industry. The second is to substantially increase the assistance of inputs/interventions.
• The assistance for planting material for oil palm is Rs.29000/ha. A special assistance @ Rs 250 per plant is being given to replant old gardens for rejuvenation of old gardens. Seed gardens will be provided assistance up to Rs.80 lakhs for 15 ha. in rest of India and Rs.100 lakhs  for 15 ha. in North-East and Andaman regions.  Further, assistance for seed gardens @ Rs.40 lakhs and Rs.50 lakhs for Rest of India and North-East & Andaman regions respectively.

National Food and Nutrition Campaign

The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar launched the National Food and Nutrition Campaign for the farmers on 26.08.2021. It is organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

11^th meeting of Agri. Ministers of BRICS countries

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the 11^th Meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Agriculture Ministers on the theme “BRICS Partnership for Strengthening Agro Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Security”.

BRICS brings together the major emerging economies of the world, hosting 41% of the world population, contributing 24% of the world GDP and over 16% share in world trade.

On 27.08.2021, Shri Tomar said that on the initiative and proposal of India, the United Nations has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets and preparations are being made to celebrate the International Year of Millets at the global level. He also informed that the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform has been created to promote cooperation in agricultural research and innovations and its implementation has been started today.

The Action Plan of 2021-24 for Agricultural Cooperation of BRICS Countries was adopted in the Ministers’ meeting. The Plan provides for enhanced cooperation in the field of agriculture amongst BRICS nations and focuses on the themes of food security, welfare of farmers, conservation of agrobiodiversity, resilience of food and agricultural production systems, promotion of digital agricultural solutions etc. which are integral to the sustainable development of agriculture.

BRICS-Agricultural Research

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar on 27.08.2021 announced the operationalization of BRICS Agricultural Research Platform prepared and set up in India for strengthening the cooperation in the field of agricultural research & innovations amongst the BRICS member States. He addressed the 11^th meeting of BRICS Agriculture Ministers under the theme BRICS Partnership for Strengthening Agro Biodiversity for Food Security and Nutrition.

• The BRICS- Agricultural Research is global platforms will help in addressing the issues of world hunger, under nutrition, poverty and inequality by promoting sustainable agricultural development through strategic cooperation in agriculture and allied sector.
• This platform aims to intensify cooperation in the areas of agricultural research; technology, policy, innovations and capacity building including technologies for smallholder farming and to sustainably increase yields and farmers income in the BRICS member countries. The platform shall escalate the exchange of research findings and innovation and best practices for upscaling in the respective BRICS Nations.
• The Coordinating Centre of the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform is housed at NASC Complex, Pusa under the governance of Department of Agricultural Research & Education/ICAR, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.  The domain name for BRICS Agricultural Research Platform is http://barp.org.in.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research is the focal organization from India.

8th Meeting of Agricultural Experts of BIMSTEC Countries

India hosted the 8th Meeting of Agriculture Experts of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Countries virtually on 31.08.2021. Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research & Education & Director General, ICAR chaired the meeting. Experts of Agricultural Ministries from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand participated in the meeting.

• The BIMSTEC provides a unique link between South and South-East Asia with 5 countries- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka from South Asia and two countries – Myanmar and Thailand from South-East Asia coming together on one platform for cooperation in 14 key economic and social sectors of the economy.
• The BIMSTEC was founded in 1997 with an ambition to pursue mutual trade, connectivity and cultural, technical and economic development in the region.  Initially, six sectors- trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism and fisheries were included for sectoral cooperation which was later expanded to 14 areas of cooperation. Agriculture is one of the 14 sectors.
• The highlight of meetings was UN Food System Summit 2021 and the transformations that are happening in the agriculture and food systems globally. To enhance the engagement and deepen the cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors amongst the BIMSTEC Member States by encouraging the exchange of knowledge, germplasm, students and experts. Other points were biosafety and biosecurity concerns and promoting digital agriculture along with the trade of technologies for developing resilient agriculture, food systems and value chains.

(Source- PIB, New Delhi)

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