agriculture, food processing, PDS and Land reforms Flashcards

Question

tea production: condition of tea workers?

Answer 1

* community is one of most marginalised in Assam * Although the tea garden managements pay the wages, the government fixes it.Increasing wages of tea garden workers has been a major demand of the community. * In 2017, the Assam government formed an advisory board to fix minimum wages of tea workers — the board recommended an amount of Rs 351. The next year, as an interim measure, the Assam government hiked daily wages Rs 137 to Rs 167, which was again recently increased to Rs 217 * initiatives like * opening bank accounts for the tea workers, * Assam Chah Bagicha Dhan Puraskar Yojana using Direct Benefit Transfer * provide 2kg of sugar per tea garden family per month free of cost, in an attempt to counter the practice of consuming salt with tea — started in the colonial era to battle dehydration in workers — which has led to health problems like hypertension and heart attacks.

Answer 2

* announced for sugar, called **Fair and Remunerative Prices** * Price of sugar are market driven but to protect the interests of farmers, concept of Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar was introduced in 2018, so that industry may get atleast the minimum cost of production of sugar, so as to enable them to clear cane price dues of farmers. * based on the Rangarajan Commitee report of reorganising the sugarcane industry. * In exercise of the powers conferred under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, Government has notified Sugar Price (Control) Order, 2018. * MSP of sugar has been fixed taking into account the components of Fair & Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane and minimum conversion cost of the most efficient mills. * determined on recommendation of CACP and announced by CCEA * difference betn MSP and FRP: FRP is fixed by the government but is paid by the mill owner.

Answer 3

● FRP is the price declared by the government, which mills are legally bound to pay to farmers for the cane procured from them. ● The payment of FRP across the country is governed by The Sugarcane Control order, 1966. It mandates payment within 14 days of the date of delivery of the cane. How is FRP decided? The FRP is based on the recovery of sugar from the cane. For the sugar season of 2021-22, FRP has been fixed at Rs 2,900/tonne at a base recovery of 10 per cent. ● Sugar recovery is the ratio between sugar produced versus cane crushed, expressed as a percentage. ● The higher the recovery, the higher is the FRP, and higher is the sugar produced. Announced by: The Central Government announces Fair and Remunerative Prices which are determined on the recommendation of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and announced by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). ● CCEA is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. The FRP is based on the Rangarajan Committee report on reorganizing the sugarcane industry. Significance of FRP: Assured payment is one of the major reasons why cane is a popular crop with farmers. ● Delays in payment can attract an interest up to 15 per cent per annum, and the sugar commissioner can recover unpaid FRP as dues in revenue recovery by attaching properties of the mills.

Answer 4

1. Union Cabinet has approved a production-linked incentive scheme for the food processing industry with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore. 2. applicability: 3. scheme would cover ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat foods, processed fruits and vegetables, marine products and mozzarella cheese, organic products, free-range eggs, poultry meat and egg products. 4. The applicants selected for the scheme would be required to invest in plant and machinery in the first two years. 5. In all, 13 PLI schemes are being rolled out, including those for automobiles, pharmaceuticals, IT hardware including laptops, mobile phones & telecom equipment, white goods, chemical cells and textiles.

Answer 5

1. **Operation Flood**, known as the ‘billion liter idea, launched in **1970**. **Over 700 towns and cities** in India were linked by the **National Milk Grid**. Anand pattern experiment at Amul, a cooperative dairy, was the pioneer behind the success of the program. 2. Prior to this, milk production and distribution was concentrated in hands of few wealthy farmers and rural businessmen which resulted in **cartelization** and deprived the grassroot farmers and villagers to reap the economic benefits of milk production. 3. led by **NDDB** (1965), initially registered as a society under the Societies Act 1860, was merged with the erstwhile Indian Dairy Corporation, a company formed and registered under the Companies Act 1956, by the NDDB Act 1987. 4. enhanced incomes: 1. there are **more than 1,90,000 dairy cooperative societies** across the country, with approx **6 million women members.** 2. As an industry, it employs **more than 70 million farmers**. Recent years have seen the **rise of women-led dairy unions and companies**. 3. A **study conducted on Women Dairy Cooperative Society (WDCS) members across Rajasthan** showed that with the income generated through dairying, 31% of the women had converted their mud houses to cement structures, while 39% had constructed concrete sheds for their cattle. 4. women-led cooperatives also provide **fertile ground for grooming women from rural areas** for leadership positions. 5. presence of **collectives** in the form of cooperatives and milk unions plays a significant role in **enhancing the knowledge and bargaining power** of women. 5. **case study**: NDDB has played a proactive role in setting up women-led producer enterprises like Shreeja Mahila Milk Producer Company, which was started with 24 women and now has more than 90,000 members, with an annual turnover of approximately Rs.450 crore.

Answer 6

Nigeria ## Footnote It contains the transgene Cry1Ab, which can be toxic for human liver cells and also alter immune systems of lab animals, anti-GM groups claimed.

Answer 7

1. NCAER (National Council of Applied Economic Research) has released India’s first land records and services index, which evaluates the quality of land records in the country and the extent of their digitalization. 2. covers two aspects of the supply of land records: extent of digitalization and quality of land records. 1. first component, which aims to assess whether a state has made all its land records digitally available, has three dimensions—the text of the land records (also called the record of rights), the official map associated with a land , and the property registration process. 2. second component of the Index aims to assess if the land records are comprehensive and reliable–are ownership details updated as soon as a sale occurs, the extent of joint ownership, type of land use, land area on the record and on the map, and are encumbrances being recorded. 3. Established in 1956, NCAER is India’s oldest and largest independent, non-profit, economic policy research institute

Answer 8

1. M.P., West Bengal, Odisha top in land records digitisation in 2021 report 2. Bihar’s jump from the 23rd to 8th position in the index by making substantial progress in the digitisation of maps, textual records and registration process. 3. existing challenges: * lack of skilled manpower in land record departments in states * lack of effective integration across land records departments. eg. revenue department as the custodian of textual records, the survey and settlement department managing the spatial records and the registration department managing regtn * no state/UT has the provision for online mutation (updating ownership as the result of the registration of a transaction) on the same day as the registration. * weak linkage betn revenue deptt and survey and settlement deptt creating divergence between the land area reported by the textual and spatial record, enhancing the chances of legal disputes * In India, stamp duty rates across states vary between 4% and 10%, compared to 1% and 4% in other countries. Further, registration fee is an additional 0.5% to 2%, on an average. * in India, we have a system of registered sale deeds and not land titles. Therefore, the transaction gets registered, and not the land title. This implies that even bona fide property transactions may not always guarantee ownership, as earlier transactions could be challenged.

Answer 9

1. According to De Soto, secure property rights are one of the keys to a country’s development 2. importance of land ownership for access to formal loans as well as government relief programmes 3. lessen court burden as well as create a more harmonious society, increasing potential for growth 4. helps dissuade black money in real estate 5. Any infrastructure created on land that is not encumbrance-free can be potentially challenged in the future, making such investments risky. 6. under the Smart Cities and AMRUT, cities are trying to raise their own revenue through property taxes and land-based financing. This necessitates the importance of providing a system of clear land titles.

Answer 10

1. gaining momentum: India produced 17000 MT in 2013 and increased to 4.87 L MT in 2018 2. Case study: * Koriyahi village in sitamarhi district, with special focus on Mushar community: mushroom farming has helped them cope with hard times due to Bihar floods and COVID lockdowns 3. Mushroom cultivation starts in November, which is soon after the floods, and continues till the first week of March. By December, the farmer starts earning from the cultivation. For the rest of the year, the community has some savings from mushrooms and the daily wage work to fall bank on. 4. social implications: mushroom cultivation requires cleanliness and hygiene. Thus, attachment of Musahars with it has changed perception abt them being unclean.

Answer 11

1. Agriculture Ministry’s last Input Survey for 2016-17 pegged the total operational holdings at 146.19 million. 2. NABARD All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey of 2016-17 estimated the country’s “agricultural households” at 100.7 million. 3. PM-Kisan has around 111.5 million enrolled beneficiaries, with an average of 102 million-plus getting payments during 2020-21. 4. Agricultural households, as per NABARD’s definition, cover any household whose value of produce from farming activities is more than Rs 5,000 during a year. That obviously is too little to qualify as living income. 5. A “real” farmer is someone who would derive a significant part of his/her income from agriculture. This, one can reasonably assume, requires growing at least two crops in a year. Out of 140 MHa, a mere 50.48 mh was cropped two times or more. Taking the average holding size of 1.08 hectares for 2016-17, the number of “serious full-time farmers” cultivating a minimum of two crops a year would be hardly 47 million. Or, say, 50 million. 6. This figure match up with other input surveys as well. eg. number of cultivators planting certified/high yielding seeds (59.01 million), using own or hired tractors (72.29 million) and electric/diesel engine pumpsets (45.96 million), and availing institutional credit (57.08 million). 7. Current agricultural crisis is alrgely about these full time farmers. The demand for price parity, that gives agricultural commodities sufficient purchasing power with respect to things bought by farmers, is critical for these full time farmers 8. Most government welfare schemes are aimed at poverty alleviation and uplifting those at the bottom of the pyramid. But there’s no policy for those in the “middle” and in danger of slipping to the bottom. 9. An annual transfer of Rs 6,000 under PM-Kisan may not be small for the part-time farmer who earns more from non-agricultural activities. It is a pittance, though, for the full-time agriculturist who spends Rs 14,000-15,000 on cultivating just one acre of wheat

Answer 12

Lokniti-CDS survey conducted in 2019, covered more than 12,000 electors across the country. 1. 28% responded in affirmative when asked whether it had ever happened that they were deprived of their foodgrain rations for lack of Aadhaar, or due to other Aadhaar-related problems such as biometric authentication glitches or failure to link their ration card with Aadhaar 2. This value rose to 39% among Low income HHs and 40% in erstwhile BIMARU states Case study: In march 2017, JH govt gave ultimatum to link all ration cards with Aadhar or else they will be voided. Later JH govt boasted of having cancelled lakhs of 'fake' ration cards. Later on, however, it turned out that most of these ration cards belonged to people who were alive and eligible. Among them was the family of Santoshi Kumari, an 11-year-old Dalit girl who succumbed to prolonged hunger on September 28, 2017. For India as a whole, the food ministry stated recently in the Rajya Sabha that 2.06 crore ration cards had been cancelled since 2017 factors responsible: * linking not always easy for poor and illeterates * assistance and safeguards are rare * no verification before cancellation * victims are nt informed, have no right to appeal * list of cancelled cards is not in public domain * biometric authentication glitches and also connectivity failures

Answer 13

an approach where inputs are utilised in precise amounts to get increased average yields, compared to traditional cultivation techniques such as agroforestry, intercropping, crop rotation etc. AKA satellite agriculture and site specific crop mgmt (SSCM) uses ICT, sensors, remote sensing, deep learning, AI and IoT triple goals: profitability, sustainability and env protection advantages: productivity; soil conservation; reduction of chemicals usage; efficient water usage; reduced cost of production; socio economic status of farmers schemes like PMKSY’s (Per Drop More Crop) involve Precision Agriculture practices ICAR and IARI has formulated a project entitled “SENSAGRI: SENsor based Smart AGRIculture”. major objective is to develop indigenous prototype for drone based crop and soil health monitoring system using hyperspectral remote sensing (HRS) sensors. Drone technology is also being used. It has ability for smooth scouting over farm fields, gathering precise information and transmitting the data on real time basis.

Answer 14

1. the area under precision agriculture of GM crops had increased 112 times in 2019 from 1996, when the first BT crop was introduced 2. During 2019, 79 per cent of cotton; 74 per cent of soybean; 31 per cent of maize and 27 per cent of canola acreages globally were under biotech crops, apart from varying acreages under 28 other smaller crops. 3. A study estimated that net global farm income increased by $ 186 billion in 20 years. That helped alleviate poverty of over 16.5 million farmers globally and led to a 8.2 per cent reduction in global consumption of pesticides.

Answer 15

1. Bt Cotton, the only GM crop introduced in India in 2002, transformed India’s cotton sector, as * cotton productivity almost doubled in six years. * India’s share in the global production of cotton increased from 12 per cent in 2002 to 25 per cent by 2014. * From a net importer of cotton, India became the second-largest exporter of cotton. 2. Bt brinjal recommended for commercialisation in October 2009, after it completed regulatory evaluation in seven years, is still under moratorium. Meanwhile, the technology has been adopted in Bangladesh. One study in 2018 stated that net returns of Bangladesh farmers increased six-fold from Bt brinjal, and pesticide usage on brinjal went down by 61 per cent. 3. GM Mustard: * India imports over 65 % of her edible oil requirement worth over 10 Bn$ * a high yielding mustard variety developed indigenously using biotech is yet to be approved for commercialisation. 4. impasse is due to irrational opposition to GM crops based on ideology rather than science. * India imports over 15 million tonnes of edible oil annually, of which over 25 per cent comprises soy oil and canola oil (a variant of mustard oil), which are from GM soybean and GM canola grown all over America. Over 95 per cent of cotton grown in India being Bt cotton, we consume about 1.4 million tonnes of cotton seed oil produced from GM cotton. However, there is opposition to making available the same technology to mustard growers. * On the matter of safety and efficacy of biotech crops, over 100 Nobel laureates collectively issued a statement in 2016, vouching for it.

Answer 16

-\> by Deptt of rural dev, MoRD -\> exclusively for women farmers -\> sub-component of DAY-NRLM -\> Funding: upto 60% (90% for NE) for such projects by GoI -\> obj: 1) empowering small landholders to adopt sustainable climate resilient agro-ecology and eventually create a pool of skilled community professionals. 2) promotion of sustainable agriculture practices such as Community Managed Sustainable Agriculture (CMSA), Non Pesticide Management (NPM), Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), Pashu-Sakhi model for doorstep animal care services, Sustainable regeneration and harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Produce

Answer 17

Village common land in PJ, to be utilised as Land bank.

Answer 18

Odisha 1. payments to small farmers, cultivators and landless agricultural labourers, to encourage cultivation 2. For farmers, Rs 10,000 per family- 5000 each in Kharif and rabi 3. For landless HHs, target is 10000 HHs, esp SC/ST- Rs 12500 for activities like goat rearing, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, poultry farming and fishery. 4. Exception: A critical trade, dairy production, has deliberately been kept out because keeping a cow is more expensive 5. For elderly, sick and differently-abled population, 10000 per HHs/yr 6. also includes Life insurance cover of 2L+ personal accident coverage 7. Crop loans up to Rs 50,000 are interest-free 8. going to be an area-specific scheme in the sense that an input support for a particular trade, say mushroom cultivation, will be provided if it is prevalent throughout that locality

Answer 19

1. Central sector scheme; implemented by MoAFW 2. for farmers with cultivable land upto 2Ha, but later extended to all land holding farmers 3. Direct income support @ 6000/yr DBT in 3 equal installments 4. Odisha government has decided to merge its flagship scheme- Kalia with it. **All states are implementing** the scheme, **except West Bengal.** 5. The entire responsibility of **identification of beneficiary** farmer families rests with the **State / UT Governments.**

Answer 20

1. India has been a net exporter of agri-produce ever since the economic reforms began in 1991. 2. The golden year of agri-trade, however, was 2013-14. That year agri-exports peaked at $43.6 billion while imports were $18.9 billion, giving a net trade surplus of $24.7 billion. 3. Since 2014, agri-exports have been sluggish and sliding. In 2019-20, agri-exports were just $36 billion, and the net agri-trade surplus at $11.2 billion. But it touched ~42Bn$ in FY 2020-21, a growth of 80% over previous yr. 4. Must remember that today India's forex reserves are \>500Bn$ unlike in 1960s when we had just 400 mn $ 5. India's total agricultural export basket accounts for a little over 2.5% of world agricultural trade. 6. major export destinations were USA, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nepal, and Bangladesh. 7. key agriculture commodities exported from India were marine products, basmati rice, buffalo meat, spices, non-basmati rice, cotton raw, oil meals, sugar, castor oil and tea 8. power and fertiliser subsidies account for about 10-15 per cent of the value of rice and sugar (2nd and 5th largest agri-export item of INdia) produced on a per hectare basis. more importantly, it is leading to the virtual export of water as one kg of rice requires 3,500-5,000 litres of water for irrigation, and one kg of sugar consumes about 2,000 litres of water. Thus, quite a bit of the “revealed comparative advantage” in rice and sugar is hidden in input subsidies. 9. On the agri-imports front, the biggest item is edible oils — worth about $10 billion (more than 15 mt)

Answer 21

1) NITI Aayof member Ramesh chandra has shown that a 5% increase in farm o/p today can lead to price crashes in excess of 30% 2) india-world's 2nd largest farm producer bt doesn't figure in ranks of top 10 exporters and has only 2.2% of 1.6Tn$ share of world agri trade 3) even in Horticulture, of which India is the 2nd largest producer, smaller countries like Thailand and egypt fare better than india.

Answer 22

* Policy-level interventions: * Pesticide residue problems have affected exports of basmati rice key traditional export product to the EU due to stringent norms imposed for chemicals such as Tricyclazole and Buprofezin, extensively used in rice cultivation in India. In response, * Testing by the Export Inspection Council (official export –certification body of India under Ministry of Commerce and Industry) has been made mandatory for basmati exports to the EU * Punjab imposed a ban on sales of nine chemicals, including Tricyclazole and Buprofezin, during the Kharif season 2020 * expansion of products into new markets: Demand for Indian cereals was robust in 2020-21, with shipments sent to several countries for the first time, such as rice to countries like Timor-Leste, Puerto Rico, and Brazil; wheat to Yemen, Indonesia, and Bhutan, etc * opportunities coz of COVID-19: The sharp rise in exports of non-basmati rice can be attributed to lower prices compared to that of major rice exporters, Thailand and Vietnam, and also because these countries stopped exports due to the lockdown. * rise in demand of organic products: products such as cereals and millets, spices and condiments, tea, medicinal plant products, dry fruits, and sugar grew 51 per cent year on year.

Answer 23

1. Lack of Stable Trade Policy Regime: Given the domestic price and production volatility of certain agricultural commodities, there has been a tendency to utilize trade policy as an instrument to attain short term goals of taming inflation 2. Infrastructure and Logistics: Poor connectivity of the land locked production areas (E.g. Bihar, Jharkhand, NE states and hilly regions, etc.) to the ports or terminals. congestion at the ports due to high waiting periods of the shipment. Lack of proper cold chain and warehousing facilities 3. Low volume of horticultural commodities: Exporting horticultural products requires significant volumes of high-quality standardized produce of the same variety. Small landholding pattern and low farmer awareness in India has often meant limited volumes of different varieties of multiple crops with little or no standardization 4. Poor training & Skill level development: * At farm: Inadequate harvest and postharvest managements paving the way for rejection of products by the importing country through stringent application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures * At exporters level: Exporters lack awareness on existing schemes and policies related to exports as well as about documentation and procedures to be followed 5. Less involvement of States: Agriculture is a state subject whereas “trade and commerce” are in the Union list and States often see no formal role for themselves in the nation’s agricultural exports.

Answer 24

1. Agriculture Export Policy 2018 sets out a target of US$ 60+ Billion by 2022, for agricultural exports, and US$ 100 Billion in the next few years. It has given following recommendations 1. Stable Trade Policy Regime 2. Infrastructure and logistics: * Sea Port - development of dedicated perishable berths, agricultural jetties * Railway -infrastructure at stations to handle agri products, Reefer Wagons * Airport -Identify the challenges of operationalizing existing defunct infrastructure at ports such as the Centre for Perishable Cargo (CPC) and requirement of new CPCs, loaders, designated and sufficient quarantine areas, better Hinterland Connectivity 3. address issues of R & D for improved varieties, value addition and packaging, establishment of a good standards regimen, a response to SPS and Technical barriers to trade 4. Greater involvement of State Governments in Agriculture Exports: identification of a nodal State Department / Agency for promotion of agriculture export; Inclusion of agricultural exports in the State Export Policy 5. Focus on Clusters: Export centric clusters 2. need to keep in mind the principle of “comparative advantage”. That means exporting more where we have a competitive edge, and importing where we lack competitiveness. 3. power and fertiliser subsidies account for about 10-15 per cent of the value of rice and sugar produced on a per hectare basis. They also consume disproportionate amt of water. we offer similar incentives for exports of high-value agri-produce like fruits and vegetables, spices, tea and coffee, or even cotton intead of rice and sugar 4. need to create “aatma nirbharta” in edible oil, not by levying high import duties, but by creating a competitive advantage through augmenting productivity and increasing the recovery ratio of oil from oilseeds and in case of palm oil, from fresh fruit bunches. 5. while mustard, sunflower, groundnuts, and cottonseed have a potential to increase oil output to some extent, the maximum potential lies in oil palm. This is the only plant that can give about four tonnes of oil on a per hectare basis. India has about 2 million hectares that are suitable for oil palm cultivation — this can yield 8 mt of palm oil. 6. way forward is bringing economy of scale through FPOs; Union budget 2019-20 aims to set up 10000 FPOs in next 5 yrs 7. A 'Public-Private-farmer Group partnership' 8. establishing Crop-specific councils on the model of Basmati export Dev Foundation 9. marketing and Brand development

Answer 25

1) way forward is bringing economy of scale through FPOs; Union budget 2019-20 aims to set up 10000 FPOs in next 5 yrs 2) A 'Public-Private-farmer Group partnership' 3) establishing Crop-specific councils on the model of Basmati export Dev Foundation

Answer 26

The ordinance basically aims at creating additional trading opportunities outside the APMC market yards to help farmers get remunerative prices due to additional competition. 1. The Ordinance will create an ecosystem where the farmers and traders will enjoy freedom of choice of sale and purchase of agri-produce. 2. It will also promote barrier-free inter-state and intra-state trade and commerce outside the physical premises of markets notified under State Agricultural Produce Marketing legislations. 3. It also proposes an electronic trading in transaction platform for ensuring a seamless trade electronically. 4. The farmers will not be charged any cess or levy for sale of their produce under this Act. 5. There will also be a separate dispute resolution mechanism for the farmers.

Answer 27

Direct seeding * pre-germinated seeds are directly drilled into the field by a tractor-powered machine. * There is no nursery preparation or transplantation involved in this method. Farmers have to only level their land and give one pre-sowing irrigation. Transplantation Method * In transplanting paddy, farmers prepare nurseries where the paddy seeds are first sown and raised into young plants. * The nursery seed bed is 5-10% of the area to be transplanted. These seedlings are then uprooted and replanted 25-35 days later in the puddled field.

Answer 28

1. Water savings. The first irrigation (apart from the pre-sowing rauni) under DSR is necessary only 21 days after sowing. This is unlike in transplanted paddy, where watering has to be done practically daily to ensure submerged/flooded conditions in the first three weeks. 2. Less Labour. About three labourers are required to transplant one acre of paddy at almost Rs 2,400 per acre. 3. The cost of herbicides under DSR will not exceed Rs 2,000 per acre. 4. Reduce methane emissions due to a shorter flooding period and decreased soil disturbance compared to transplanting rice seedlings. 5. Punjab government has decided to deploy direct seeding of rice (DSR) technique instead of the traditional transplantation of paddy this year due to the shortfall of agricultural labourers triggered by reverse migration in the wake of COVID

Answer 29

1. Non-availability of herbicides. 2. The seed requirement for DSR is also high,8-10 kg/acre, compared to 4-5 kg/acre in transplanting. 3. Further, laser land levelling is compulsory in DSR. This is not so in transplanting. 4. The sowing needs to be done timely so that the plants have come out properly before the monsoon rains arrive.

Answer 30

1. Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare is implementing agency 2. operational in the country from 2015-16. 3. It focuses on enhancing water efficiency at farm level through micro irrigation technologies such as ”drip and sprinkler” irrigation. 4. Funding: Micro Irrigation Fund corpus of Rs. 5000 crore has been created with NABARD, for incentivising micro irrigation beyond the provisions available under PMKSY-PDMC to encourage farmers to install micro irrigation systems. 5. Government provides financial assistance @ 55% for small and marginal farmers and @ 45% for other farmers for installation of Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems. In addition, some States provide additional incentives/top up subsidy for encouraging farmers to adopt Micro Irrigation.

Answer 31

F for oilseed and pulses highest absolute increase was reported for sesame (til), urad and tur.

Answer 32

1. Miyawaki method involves planting saplings in small areas, causing them to “fight” for resources and grow nearly 10 times quicker. 2. It originated in Japan, and is now increasingly adopted in other parts of the world, including our Chennai. It has revolutionised the concept of urban afforestation by turning backyards into mini-forests. 3. Process: * A pit has to be dug, and its dimensions depend on the available space. Before digging the pit, the list of tree species should be chosen judiciously. As there is very little space to work around with, trees with varying heights should be chosen. * Fill it with one layer of compost, followed by a layer of natural waste such as bagasse and coconut shells and then top it with a layer of red soil. * Plant the saplings following interval and tree height specifications. * The whole process can be completed in two to three weeks. The saplings have to be maintained regularly for a year.

Answer 33

* norm: 21.4MT on 1st april and 41 MT on 1st july * actual: 75.5MT * at its economic cost, value of this excess stock with govt stands at Rs 1.6Lcr.

Answer 34

* coverage has significantly increased frm earlier 18L families to nw 83 L families * Nominee system: ~18000 families are getting their grain quota through nominees; some other states also hv initiated this policy bt MP is the largest. * MP has also implemented 'one state one ration card' policy within the state since oct 2019.

Answer 35

1. It is a severe bacterial disease mainly affecting cattles and water buffaloes and bison . recently few cases found in Odisha 2. It is an important cause of livestock mortality in tropical regions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East 3. The disease is also spread through contact with infected animals, contaminated clothing, equipment, and through ingestion or inhalation of the bacteria. 4. Primary symptoms include swishing tails, reduced cudding, undigested food in faeces and reduced milk yield.

Answer 36

* AgriStack is a collection of technologies and digital databases proposed by the Union government that focuses on the agricultural sector * AgriStack may have a Farmers’ Stack, a Farm Stack and a Crop Stack integrated on a technology platform * Farmers’ Stack can consist of farmer data with Aadhaar as unique identifier * Farm Stack can have geospatial information on each farm (with a farm identity) owned by a farmer with cadastral maps, and * Crop Stack can contain crop data linked to farms. * Data would be interlinked to land registration, cadastral maps and satellite images from state government departments and public entities. * Government’s schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), PM-KISAN and Soil Health Card will be integrated through a common database along with land record details over a period of time. * Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, recently entered into a MoU with Microsoft Corporation to create a ‘Unified Farmer Service Interface’ through its cloud computing services. The MoU will start as a pilot project in 100 villages of UP, MP, GJ, Haryana, RJ and AndhraP. This sets in motion the ministry’s plan of creating ‘AgriStack’ * With an integrated database for farmers, information related to all benefits and assistances provided through various schemes can be kept at one place.

Answer 37

1. Financing: 1. insurance payouts linked to weather field data 2. data backed credit risk assessment 2. farm input; 1. info dissemination thru chat/sms/call 2. tech enable dagri-extension services 3. online mkt fr agri-i/p 3. farming 1. precision farming using IoT and remote sensing data 2. predictive post mgmt 3. real time yield forecasting 4. selling distribution 1. price discovery 2. mktng through online channels 3. track and trace of produce through supply chain

Answer 38

* Improved access to formal credit: It can enable closer study of the flow of agricultural credit to specific land parcels. It will also enable credit flows and interest subventions to become more transparent * Crop insurance products and delivery can be improved: especially with geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. * Smooth mechanism for marketing and price discovery: It can enable the provision of market intelligence for de-risking commodity price fluctuations, demand-supply forecasting and weather advisory. * Better quality of input: Agristack could address the asymmetry in information flow by providing all information about farmers and their farming easily to relevant stakeholders (seed, chemical fertiliser and pesticides, machinery companies or fin-tech companies). * GIS and IoT (internet of things) services can be deployed to give feedback to stakeholders. For example, at the post-harvesting stage, a trigger to harvesting equipment suppliers and buyers may be sent, who can approach the cultivator for providing services. * Prevent leakages of aid with accurate targeting.

Answer 39

* data security in the absence of a data protection legislation * financial exploitation: FinTech corporations can utilise their power asymmetry over farmers * exclusion error; proposed farmers' database will be based on digitised land records which is full of loopholes even for land-owning famers and excludes the landless farmers altogether; may also exclude tenant farmers, sharecroppers and agri labourers * lack of digital literacy and access in rura india

Answer 40

* AI-Sowing App: Microsoft has developed this app in collaboration with International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT). This application sends advisory to the farmers regarding the optimal date of seedsowing. * NITI Aayog has partnered with IBM to develop a crop yield prediction model backed by AI to provide real-time data and communicate the required advisory to farmers. * Kisan Suvidha: It is an omnibus smartphone app that helps farmers by providing them relevant information regarding weather, dealers’ market prices, plant protection, agro advisories, IPM practices etc. * MKisan App: This app enables farmers and stakeholders to obtain advisories and other information being sent by experts and govt. officials * Crop Insurance App: is used to calculate Insurance Premium for notified crops based on area, coverage amount and loan amount * Agri Market app: provides information of market price of all crops at the markets located within 50 kilometre radius of the device’s location * Pusa Krishi App * Agristack

Answer 41

* It is a central sector programme, * implemented by National Horticulture Board, * started in 2021 with pilot phase in 12 horticulture clusters (out of total 53 clusters) covering nearly 10 lakh farmers from 11 States/UTs. * It will leverage geographical specialisation and promote integrated and market-led development; making Indian horticulture clusters globally competitive

Answer 42

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector. 2. Under MIDH,GoI contributes 60%, of total outlay for developmental programmes in all the states (90% in NE and Himalayan states) 3. MIDH also provides technical advice and administrative support to SGs/ State Horticulture Missions (SHMs) for the Saffron Mission and other horticulture related activities 4. strategies: 1. promote R&D 2. Adopt an end-to-end holistic approach covering pre-production, production, post harvest management 3. Improve productivity through diversification, extension of appropriate technology 4. Improve post harvest management, processing for value addition and marketing infrastructure. 5. Promote FPOs 5. schemes: 1. NHM- in all states except NE and Himalayan states 2. HMNEH- for NE and Himalayan states 3. National Bamboo Mission 4. National Horticulture Board- focussed on commerical horticulture 5. Coconut development Board- for coconut growing states 6. Cenntral institute for Horticulture- NE States, focussing on HRD and capacity building 7. CHAMAN ‘Coordinated programme on Horticulture Assessment & Management using geoiNformatics ’ was initiated in 2014 under MIDH for better horticulture assessment and development through remote sensing, GIS and field survey

Answer 43

1. Horticulture crops are characterised by **high-value crops, higher productivity per unit of area and lower requirement of irrigation and input cost**. 2. The **diverse agro-climatic conditions and rich diversity** in crops and **genetic resources** enable India to produce a wide range of horticultural crops round the year 3. India accounts for **13% of the global production of fruits and 21% of vegetables**, making it the **second** largest producer, after China. 4. India also **ranks at first position in the production of Banana, Mango, Lime and Lemon, Papaya and Okra** 5. major horti states in India: **UP, WB, MP amd MH** 6. area under horticulture: **\>25mn Ha** 7. horticulture production: **~320MT** 8. Horticulture is increasingly recognised as a **sunrise sector**, owing to its **potential to raise farm income, provide livelihood security and earn foreign exchange** through export 9. accounts for about **37% of the total exports of agricultural commodities** in India 10. Overall **exports** of horticulture produce have recorded sustained **rising** trend over past several years (**18% per year**). Further, share of value of export earnings from horticultural crops has been higher than the export value of total food grain. 11. The **production** of Horticulture crops has **outpaced the production of food grain since 2012-13** 12. The **productivity of horticulture has increased from 8.8 tonnes per hectare in 2001-02 to 12.3 tonnes per hectare in 2018-19 whereas productivity of total food grain increased from 1.7 tonnes per hectare to 2.3 tonnes** during the same period 13. **Rise in demand**: Country’s estimated demand of fruits and vegetables is 650 Million MT by the year 2050.

Answer 44

1. Low yield per hectare: The horticulture sector in India is characterized by small, segregated farms, rain fed crops, inadequate supply of quality planting material (like seeds and saplings) which leads to low perhectare yields. 2. Inadequate Post harvest infrastructure: Imperfect coordination between supplies and demand and seasonality and perishable nature of horticulture crops requires adequate cold storage facilities. Capital intensive nature and long gestation period discourages investment in the sector. 3. Huge Wastage: Of the total annual production, 30-40 per cent is wasted before consumption. Horticulture produce suffers significant loss during transport stage due to unsuitable transport containers, overloading of mixed fruits and vegetables, 4. High cost of production: Biotic and abiotic stress, more reliance on fertilisers, low access to markets and lack of bargaining power due to relatively small produce contribute to lesser returns. Repeated price shocks force farmers to shift to less riskier food grains 5. Limited support by Government: For instance, Horticulture crops are not covered under MSP 6. Constraints on exports: Low exportable surplus, non trade barriers like SPS, stiff competition in the global market, poor market intelligence, lack of brand status to the commodities, and export in the form of raw materials are the major market related constrains inhibiting exports growth.

Answer 45

1. a component of the PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System) certification programme 2. It is a unique quick certification programme to harness the potential areas of Organic farming in India. 3. It was launched by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under its flagship scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). 4. Under LAC, each village in the area is considered as one cluster or group and simple documentations are maintained village-wise 5. All farmers with their farmland and livestock need to adhere to the standard requirements and on being verified get certified en-mass without the need to go under conversion period. 6. Certification is renewed on annual basis through annual verification by a process of peer appraisals as per the process of PGS-India. 7. Recently, About 14,491 hectare area in Andaman and Nicobar has been certified as organic under the LAC scheme- the first large contiguous territory to be certified

Answer 46

* defn: as per FAO, Organic agriculture is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity, and this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic, biological and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off-farm inputs * charac: * maintaining organic matter levels and encouraging soil biological activity in soil * using relatively insoluble nutrient sources made available to the plant by the action of soil micro-organisms * effective recycling of organic materials including crop residues and livestock manures * weed, disease and pest control relying primarily on crop rotaions, natural predators , diversity etc. * The extensive management of livestock and animal welfare issues wrt nutrition, housing, health, breeding and rearing * careful attention to the impact of farming system on wider env and the conservation of wild life and natural habitats

Answer 47

1. Healthy Foods: 1. Many studies reveal that organic food is higher in certain key areas such as total antioxidant capacity, total polyphenols, etc which are nutritionally significant 2. Studies have also shown that dairy products from organically raised animals are healthier than conventionally produced dairy products. 2. ecological benefits 1. Improvement in Soil Quality 2. Reduced Pollution: Due to healthier soil and absence of harmful pesticide and fertilizer, organic farming reduces water and air pollutants 3. Low Incidence of Pests: It has been observed that if the soil is healthy, the pest problem is negligible as compared to soil where agrochemicals are used or where there is low organic matter in the soil. 3. efficient use of resources: 1. Improved water management: Improving water infiltration and retention capacity through high levels of organic matter reduce the amount of water needed 2. Lower Energy Use: Many popular crops such as corn require nitrogen rich soil which is a high energy use. Organic farming achieves the nitrogen rich soil, instead, by using composted manure and the use of cover crops. 4. economic benefits: 1. Increased income: In the long run the input cost decreases significantly and the yield of organic crops improves which provides income security to the farmers 2. Employment Opportunities: According to many studies, organic farming requires more labour input than the conventional farming system. 3. Eco-tourism: Organic farms have turned into major attraction in terms of Eco-tourism in countries like Italy.

Answer 48

1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): 1. part of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture 2. OF is promoted throgh adoption of organic villages by cluster approach and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification 2. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD) 1. central sector scheme 2. 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 3. Soil Health Card: 1. aims to improve Soil Health by providing nutrients information to the farmers. 2. It has led to a decline of 8-10% in the use of chemical fertilizers and raised productivity by 5-6%. 4. Agri export Policy 2018: It focuses on marketing and promotion of organic agriculture products foods to aid organic farming in India 5. ZBNF: Government is actively promoting Zero budget natural farming. It is a method of chemical-free agriculture drawing from traditional Indian practices 6. FSSAI’s Jaivik Bharat logo for Organic Food that enables consumers to distinguish organic food products from other non-organic products

Answer 49

for any food to be sold as organic in India whether fresh produce a packaged product it must be certified via one of the two systems: 1. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): 1. adopted in 2001 2. administered by Min of Commerce and Industry 3. one of 28 3rd party certifiers must check that a farm is free of mfd chemicals. in case of processed food, certifier must check that the produce came from an NPOP certified farm and was processed by a NPOP certified processor 4. certified foods carry teh Indian Organic Logo 5. stds are recognized by EU, USA and Switzerland 6. It is expensive and must eb renewed annually 7. so the programme is restricted to big companies, ones that work with farmers over thousands of acres, and earn revenues largely from exporting non-perishables 2. Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India) 1. operates outside the framework of 3rd party certification 2. under Min of Agri; since 2018 3. certifies clusters of small farmers 4. 5 or more growers living closely together form a grp and get trained in OF under a govt scheme 5. Then , with the help of Regional Councils (India has 562 RCs) farmers inspect wach other's holdings. SHould a grower violate any norms, their produce is not sold through the grp 6. India now has \>6500 PGS grps covering abt 2.1L farmers 7. PGS Green is given to chemical free produce under transition to ‘organic’ which takes 3 years. It is mainly for domestic purpose. 8. The system is poorly founded- farmers a re often trained poorly and the system does little to create a long term market for organic produce 9. PGS is not recognized by US, EU- the two big markets for Organic products 10. They can't sell their produce to NPOP certified processor either.

Answer 50

1. Low Coverage: About 2.78 million hectares of farmland was under organic cultivation as of March 2020, which is only two per cent of the 140.1 million ha net sown area in the country. 2. Reluctancy of the Farmers: Due to high initial cost and potential impact on immediate income, most of the farmers are reluctant to undertake organic farming. 3. Disparity of Supply and Demand: The major demand of perishable items comes from metros where there are no farmlands to produce organic fruits and vegetables. 4. Lack of support for inputs: The government provide subsidies for chemical fertilisers and pesticides but there is no such provision for organic inputs. Also, organic seeds and inputs are highly regulated and governed by government policies 5. Confused Certification Framework: There is a lack of unique, well known and third party certified policy or framework for selling organic food products in India, which creates trust issues among the customers 6. The High Price of Organic Produce: The final prices of organic produce are mostly higher than conventional products which impact the organic produce market in India. 7. Lack of Quality Standards for Biomanures: There are no fixed standards and quality parameters for biofertilizers and bio manures.

Answer 51

1. India ranks 8th in terms of agri land under OF; 1st in no. of producers engaged in OF 2. It produced around 2.75 million MT (2019-20) of certified organic products which includes all varieties of food products namely Sugarcane, Oil Seeds, Cereals & Millets, Cotton, etc. 3. The export of organic food products rose by 51 per cent in terms of value to reach $1,040 million (Rs 7078 crores) in financial year 2021. The major organic exports from India have been flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses. 4. Among different states Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan 5. Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic in 2016

Answer 52

project titled ‘Subhiksham Surakshitham -- Bharatiya Prakartik Krishi Padhathi’ is being implemented in Kerala. implemented in around 25,000 hectares with assistance from the Central and state governments as part of promoting natural farming. On the same lines as ZBNF promoted by Subhash palekar of AP Through the project, the state is aiming to implement fully eco-friendly cultivation in 84,000 ha in different phases.

Answer 53

1. majority of cotton cultivation comes from ten major cotton growing states, which are grouped into three diverse agro-ecological zones 1. northern zone: PJ, Haryana and Rj ~17% 2. Central zone: GJ, MH and MP ~55% 3. Southern zone: Telangana, AP, KN and TN ~27% 2. India highets cotton producing countryin the world (2020); also 1st in terms land area under cotton cultivation (38% of global cotton area) 3. India second largest consumer of raw cotton, after CHina 4. more than 80% of cotton grown in India is Bt Cotton hybrids of American upland cotton (G. hirsutum) 5. cotton value chain employs 60mn people directly or indirectly and further 40-50mn people employed in cotton trad eand its processing. Thus highest employer in India after agriculture 6. contributes 4% to india's GDp 7. 218-19: textile and clothing constituted 125 of India's total exports, a large share of which was cotton yarn

Answer 54

1. Low Productivity: Although India is the number one contributor to the world’s total cotton production, its yield (454.43kg/ha) is very low compared to other countries such as the USA (955 kg/ha) and China (1764 kg/ha) 2. Ever increasing cost of inputs: Although GM companies provide better technology, they sell expensive cotton seeds and fertilizers. Costly inputs and non-commensurate market price of cotton is lowering down profitability over time. 3. Poor irrigation facilities: Approximately 62% of India’s cotton is produced in rain-fed areas and 38% on irrigated lands. Lack of irrigation facilities makes cotton cultivation vulnerable to monsoon fluctuations. 4. Inferior Technology: Absence of modern technology in cultivation, as well as ginning, has affected the yield. Non-availability of small scale low cost machines for sowing and picking, Labour shortages and enhanced wages results in delayed crop operations which increases the risk of the cotton getting contaminated 5. Unpredictable market prices: Fluctuating market prices for cotton and the inability to compete with the low prices on the global market, enabled by the important subsidies given to cotton farmers in Western countries, are also affecting cotton planters adversely. 6. Cotton’s climate sensitivities: Cotton is grown predominantly in hot and dry climates, however it is sensitive to various climate parameters during different stages of crop development. * Gradual changes in climate parameters, rapid shifts in extreme weather events, increase in climate hazards, more erratic and less reliable rain all present increased risk to cotton cultivation. * The long growing season (150 to 180 days) makes cotton susceptible to disease and pests. Further, a warmer climate will favour pests and diseases, presenting a further threat to cotton. 7. competition from artificial fibres with a lower cost of production and higher consistency has sprung up 8. Other Challenges: Low soil organic carbon content, significant decrease in fertiliser factor productivity of Indian soils, Insect Resistance development to Bt cotton and insecticides, Imbalanced fertilizer usage and micronutrient deficiencies, adverse effects of pesticides on human health and soil degradation, water pollution and poor microbial diversity

Answer 55

by Cotton 2040, a platform that envisages a sustainable global cotton industry by bringing together leading international brands and retailers, traders, farmers and other stakeholders across the value chain findings: 1. All global cotton-growing regions will be exposed to increased risk from at least one climate hazard 2. All six highest cotton-producing countries – India, USA, China, Brazil, Pakistan and Turkey – are exposed to increased climate risk, particularly from wildfire, drought and extreme rainfall.

Answer 56

* Climate change could expose one third of India's cotton growing regions to high risks from temperature increases, changes to rainfall patterns and extreme weather events by 2040 * In the 2040s, cotton-growing regions across India will be subject to greater heat stress than under present-day conditions. * In some regions, this increase in temperature is projected to be coupled by an increase in water stress. * Common areas of vulnerability across all studied Cotton growing districts include multidimensional poverty, low female work participation rates, low male and female literacy rates, and limited access to banking services, technology and information

Answer 57

1. On July 15,2021, the Centre moved power tillers (PT) and their components from the “free” to “restricted” category to provide protection to the domestic industry. PTs, also known as two-wheel tractors (2WTs) are tailor-made for the farming landscape in India, dominated by small and marginal farmers. 2. India’s mechanisation coverage is around 40-45 per cent, compared to 90 per cent in developed countries. only PJ, Haryana and western UP have mechanisation rates between 70 and 80 % whereas in eastern and southern states it is between 35 and 45 per cent, with even smaller coverage in NE states 3. tariffs on agricultural machinery are 8-10 times higher in India. High bound tariffs discourage trade in a dynamic sense. 4. It hurts the farmers eg. average cost of imported PT in India is between Rs 70,000 and 80,000, and tariffs, increases it up to Rs 85,200. With handling charges, social welfare surcharge and other duties, the import parity price is near equal to the average cost of locally manufactured PT, that is, Rs 92,000. 5. a shift to restricted category and frequently changing tariffs engenders uncertainty and lowers trade. 6. It also disincentivises domestic machine manufacturers to invest and innovate — the perils of protection. Liberal and stable trade policies will increase access, competition will expand varieties and bring down the prices. 7. case study: BN. in the late 1980s, Bangladesh removed import bans on PT and other machinery like diesel engines. By 1995, PT were made duty free and credit support was provided for purchases. Starting lower, Bangladesh overtook India in mechanisation by 2006. Studies have credited PT in increasing the rice yield

Answer 58

1. Indonesia (1st) and Malysia (2nd) are the top two palm oil producers in world. The two produce 80% of global production. 2. Palm oil accounts for nearly two-thirds of India’s total edible oil imports. India buys more than 9 million tonnes of palm oil annually, mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia. 3. Palm oil is currently the world’s most consumed vegetable oil. 4. It is used extensively in the production of detergents, plastics, cosmetics, and biofuels. 5. Two categories of palm oil: 1. Crude Palm oil (CPO): Indonesia excels here, and 2. Refined, Bleached and Deodorised (RBD) palm oil: main expertise of Malaysia 6. In 2019, India moved RBD oil frm "free" to "restricted" list of imports, and set restrictions on imports of refined palm oil and informally asked traders to stop importing all kinds of palm oil from Malaysia. These were in retaliation to Malaysian PM's remarks on Art 370 abrogation and sheltering Zakir Nayak. 7. India, the largest edible oil buyer in the world, is Malaysia's largest oil buyer (and fifth largest export market overall), constituting more than a quarter of the latter's palm oil export. On the other hand, 70% of edible oil imported by India is palm oil. 8. Malaysia’s exports to India were worth $10.8 billion in the fiscal year that ended on March 31, while imports totaled $6.4 billion. 9. while mustard, sunflower, groundnuts, and cottonseed have a potential to increase oil output to some extent, the maximum potential lies in oil palm. This is the only plant that can give about four tonnes of oil on a per hectare basis. India has about 2 million hectares that are suitable for oil palm cultivation — this can yield 8 mt of palm oil.

Answer 59

* new national initiative on palm oil production to help increase farm incomes. The scheme involves investment of over Rs 11,000 crore. * obj: * achieve self reliance in edible oil * raise domestic production of palm oil by 3X to 11L MT by 2025-26 * features: * special emphasis of the scheme will be in India’s north-eastern states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to the conducive weather conditions in the regions. * government intends to bring an additional 6.5 lakh hectares under oil palm cultivation. * Under the scheme, oil palm farmers will be provided financial assistance and will get remuneration under a price and viability formula.

Answer 60

* each Indian consumed 19.5 kg of edible oil every year on an average during 2015-16, up from 15.8 kg in 2012-13. This amounts to an aggregate demand of around 26 million tons of edible oils per year. * India cultivated oilseeds on 25 million hectare of land, producing 32 million tons of oilseeds in 2018-19, with soybean, rapeseed and mustard and groundnut accounting for almost 90 per cent share in the area. 32 million tons of oilseeds will yield around 8.4 million tons of edible oil. Initiatives: * Technology Mission on Oilseeds and other policy initiatives have helped India increase the area under oilseeds in India from 9 million tons in 1986 to 32 million tons in 2018-19, though not sufficient to meet the domestic demand. * Several other initiatives like Oil Palm Area Expansion under Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, increasing the minimum support prices of oilseed crops, creation of buffer stock for oilseeds, cluster demonstration of oilseed crops, etc are being implemented

Answer 61

* Growing in largely rain-fed conditions (around 70% area), * high seed cost (Groundnut and Soybean), * small holding with limited resources, * low seed replacement rate and low productivity.

Answer 62

* India is the world’s biggest vegetable [**oil importer**](https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/31/why-does-india-have-to-import-edible-oils-what-is-the-burden-of-importing-edible-oils-on-the-governments-exchequer-what-can-we-do-to-boost-the-domestic-production-of-edible-oils-elaborate/)**.** * In 2019, India imported **around 15 million tons** of edible oils worth approximately Rs 7,300 crore, which accounted for 40 per cent of the agricultural imports bill and three per cent of the overall import bill of the country. * Palm oil accounted for the lion’s share of the total imports (62 per cent), followed by soya oil and sunflower oil (21 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively). * **India imports about 60% of its edible oil needs**, leaving the country’s **retail prices vulnerable to international pressures**. * It imports palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, soyoil from Brazil and Argentina, and sunflower oil, mainly from Russia and Ukraine. * Apart from a significant burden on the government's exchequer, dependence on the international market for edible oils causes price volatility affecting both the consumers and producers. For instance, labour shortage in palm oil plantations of Indonesia and Malaysia, drought in Argentina affecting soyabean production, lower production of sunflower crops in Ukrain and rigorous buying of edible oils by China, impacted price of edible oils in domestic as well as international markets in later part of pandemic year. Subsequently, the government has to reduce import tariff of palm oil by 10 per cent in November to ease the domestic price.

Answer 63

* Based on a rough estimate, 3.6 million tons of additional oils can be produced by means of bridging the yield gap, assuming 1.5 tons per ha as a realizable yield. This requires the wide scale adoption of improved agricultural technologies like quality seeds, optimum use of agro-chemicals and better management. * Improved varieties like Pusa 12, JS 20-34 of soybean, PUSA-0030 and 0031 of mustard which are low erucic acid as well as high yielding, newer, location specific improved varieties like Kadiri-6, Chattisghar Mungfali 1 (CGM 1) are released for cultivation. * Farmers need to be made aware about these newer varieties and provided with access to good quality seeds. Cluster demonstrations and other extension activities in this line can be promoted. * India can also think of expanding the area under oilseed crops by utilising fallow land. India has **11.7 mha of rice fallow**, which can be used for the cultivation of safflower and mustard crops, which don’t need much water. * **Alternatives such as rice bran oil** is gaining popularity amongst the urban consumers, as it is known to reduce the risk of heart diseases and type 2 diabetes. **Around 2 million tons of edible oil can be produced using the available rice bran.** * **Cotton seed** is also a promising source of vegetable oil and has an untapped potential. **Approximately 1.4 Mt of oil** can be augmented with cotton seeds. * Another promising non-traditional source of edible oil is ‘**oil palms**’. Oil palms yield 4 to 5 tons of edible oil per ha, compared to around 1 tons of yield of other traditional oil seeds. According to studies, India has the **potential to expand the area under oil palm by 1.9 million hectares, which can produce around 7.6 million tons of additional edible oil.**However, palm oil has a **long gestation period, harvesting of the crop is challenging and oil palm is water guzzling crop**. * India has tinkered with tariff rates very frequently in the recent past depending on the demand-supply situation and domestic prices to regulate the imports and to protect the interest of the consumers. However, this is a myopic strategy and in the long run, India will gain by having a **stable export-import policy.**

Answer 64

1. Oil palm cultivation can have disastrous environmental and social consequences. 1. Studies on agrarian change in Southeast Asia have shown that increasing oil palm plantations is a major reason for the region’s declining biodiversity. 2. Indonesia has seen a loss of 1,15,495 hectares of forest cover in 2020, mainly to oil palm plantation. From 2002-18, Indonesia lost 91,54,000 hectares of its primary forest cover. 3. Along with adversely impacting the country’s biodiversity, it has led to increasing water pollution. 4. The decreasing forest cover has significant implications with respect to increasing carbon emission levels and contributing to climate change. 2. Palm oil plantations have stoked conflict between government policies and customary land rights. 1. Legislation allowing the clearing of tree cover and cutting forests for growing palm trees has led to increasing land-related tussles between government officials, locals and agro-business groups in Malaysia and Indonesia. 2. Northeastern states are politically sensitive areas, and the oil palm initiative could breed tension there. The region is also a BD hotspot 3. against notion of community self reliance 1. The initial state support for such a crop results in a major and quick shift in the existing cropping pattern that are not always in sync with the agro-ecological conditions and food requirements of the region. 2. eg. Arunachal government’s changing policy on using forestland for palm oil plantations has begun impacting the forest cover as farmers, armed with government incentives, are switching from traditional crops like rice and maize to palm oil. 3. people in the Northeast do not use the oil for cooking or any other purpose. The oil is being used by industries for packaged food and medicines, detergents and cosmetics 4. policy also contradicts the government’s commitments under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: “Making agriculture more productive, sustainable, remunerative and climate resilient by promoting location specific integrated/composite farming systems.” 5. Palm oil cultivation has had a positive impact on poverty eradication in Malaysia, increasing income levels of small and marginal farmers. But, it has also made a sizable number of small landholders vulnerable to variations in global palm oil prices and may of them cntinue to depend on other sources of income. Thus, such an agricultural shift is not self-sustaining and makes local communities vulnerable and exposes them to external factors. 6. To preserve the environment and biodiversity, Indonesia and Sri Lanka have already started putting restrictions on palm tree plantation. In 2018, the Indonesian government came up with a three-year moratorium on new licenses to produce palm oil. Recently, the Sri Lankan government has ordered the uprooting of oil palm plants in a phased manner.

Answer 65

* The HTBt cotton variant adds another layer of modification, making the plant resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, but has not been approved by regulators. * need: There is a shortage of the labour needed to do at least two rounds of weeding for Bt cotton. With HTBt, simply one round of glyphosate spraying is needed with no weeding. It saves Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 8,000 per acre for farmers. * issues: * Fears include glyphosate having a carcinogenic effect. However, many scientists as well as WHO has said that these fears are unfounded, but GoI has refused to grant it approval * unchecked spread of herbicide resistance to nearby plants through pollination, creating a variety of superweeds. * Despite the lack of approval, The illegal cultivation of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) Bt cotton has seen a huge jump as the sale of illegal seed packets has more than doubled from 30 lakh in 2020 to 75 lakh in 2021.

Answer 66

1. F; Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop that has been approved by the Centre ***for commercial cultivation*** in India. 2. F; against bollworm pests like cotton bollworm, Pink bollworm, spotted bollworm etc.

Answer 67

T farm sector grew 4.3 per cent in 2019-20 and 3.6 per cent in 2020-21, more than the overall GDP, at 4 per cent and minus 7.3 per cent, respectively.

Answer 68

* India is the largest producer (25% of global production), consumer (27% of world consumption) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world. * Pulses account for around 20 per cent of the area under foodgrains and contribute around 7-10 per cent of the total foodgrains production in the country. * Though pulses are grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, Rabi pulses contribute more than 60 per cent of the total production. * They provide protein and fibre, and are a great source of vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc and magnesium * Per capita net availability of pulses in India, however, has reduced from 51.1 gm/day (1971) to 41.9 gm/day (2013) as against WHO recommendation of 80gm/day. * In India, pulses are grown over an area of 2.38 crore hectares with a total production of 1.86 crore tonnes. * The average yield of pulses in India is about 760 kg/hectare. * Pulses are generally grown in irrigated as well as rainfed area and belong to leguminaceae family. * Gram is the most dominant pulse having a share of around 40 per cent in the total production followed by Tur/Arhar at 15 to 20 per cent * Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka are the top five pulses producing States. * In addition to its nutritional advantage, pulses have low carbon and water footprints which make them an integral part of the sustainable farming system. As per estimates, water footprints for producing one kilogram of meat is five times higher than that of pulses. Further, one kilogram of legume emits 0.5 kilogram in CO 2 equivalent whereas one kilogram of meat produce 9.5 kilogram in CO 2 equivalent.

Answer 69

1. India moved from a situation of acute scarcity of pulses in 2015-16 (***resulted in India signing an mou with Mozambique in 2016 for five years, its first such agreement with a foreign country, to purchase “pigeon peas and other pulses” through “private channels or through Government to Government sales” every year.***), when the country witnessed unprecedented shortage and inflation due to successive droughts, to providing free pulses to most of the citizens in the country. 2. The twin factors critical to an immediate increase in pulses production was the minimum support price (**MSP) and procurement from farmers directly at MSP** 3. Additional coverage was provided for pulses under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) launched in 2016-17 as well as other schemes like **Price Stabilization** and **Integrated cheme of Oilseed, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize.** 4. The government aimed at increasing acreage productivity and production of pulses through **distribution of seed mini-kits, subsidy on the prodn of quality seed and creation of 150 seed hubs** that involved ICAR institutes and state agriculture varsities for frontline demonstrations. 5. government increased MSP on pulses by 8-16% in 2016-17 and 7-10% in 2017-18. There was a 42% increase in production of pulses, unheard of in any other category of food articles 6. Elaborate arrangements were made for procuring of pulses from farmers under the **Price Support Scheme (PSS)**. The government guarantee for procurement operation was increased manifold. **NAFED (Central procurement agency for pulses)** played a pivotal role in procurement under **PSS and PSF**, by **procuring 8.7 lakh tonnes in 2016-17. This was equivalent to the procurement made in the last 15 years put together!** 7. **Procurement of pulses from farmers was more than doubled, by about 20 lakh tonnes.** During 2018-19, total procurement of pulses was more than twice that of the previous year, at about 42 lakh tonnes. **Even in the lockdown period**, the government continued to support farmers by implementing the MSP and procuring about 23 lakh tonnes of pulses and 8.2 lakh tonnes of oilseeds at MSP 8. Foreseeing the **need to have a strategic buffer of pulses, a 20-lakh-tonne buffer stock was formed through the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), with a corpus of more than Rs 10,000 crore.** 9. **highest ever production of pulses in the country, at 254 lakh tonnes, in 2017-18** 10. **Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020**, to remove commodities like pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes from the list of essential commodities

Answer 70

* Despite the increasing yields of some pulses, the demand for pulses has consistently exceeded production. Though India is the world's largest producer of pulses, it is also the largest importer. **While the domestic production of pulses has risen by 122 per cent between 1981 and 2020—from 11.5 million tonnes to 25.57 million tonnes—the imports have risen by 1,622 per cent from 0.13 million tonnes to 2.2 million tonnes** * Pulses are a far more risky proposition than cereals, with the **yields tending to be unstable**. They are more **susceptible to the vagaries of weather, pests and disease.**Therefore, developing pulse varieties, which are both high-yielding and tolerant of stress and pests, is difficult. * There is ample scope for bringing additional area under these pulses in newer niches areas such as rice fallows, tal (lake) areas, hill agriculture and in intercropping for remunerating cropping system. An estimated additional 3.0 million hectare can be brought under such pulses cultivation across the country. * **Stagnation of kharif pulse:** Most of the increase in Pulse production of India is because of the increase in production of *chana (Gram),* the main kharif pulse of India, but the production of *Tur,* the main Rabi pulse of India and considered the country’s primary pulse because of its consumption in meals as dal everyday in most northern states , has seen only a modest increase. *Chana*'s usage is more in packaged foods. * Farmers moving away from pulse production. Factors: * with improvement in irrigation facilities, preferred wheat and paddy (yields 2000-3000 kg/Ha) as compared to pulses (~800kg/Ha) * damage to pulses by nilgais and other stray animals is a big factor in Uttar Pradesh for farmers moving to other crops. * Procurement preference to cereals * though msp for pulses has been increased in recent years, it is still just about equal to or even less than the cost of production for the farmers * Tur production is replaced by soyabean production, Farmers prefer soya bean to tur because it is ready in just 110 days and has much higher yield. Soya bean’s’ shorter crop cycle leaves enough time for farmers to cultivate another crop in the season. Plus, soyabeans have huge demand in poultry industry. * seed replacement rate (srr) (how much area has been sown from certified seeds and how much from farm-saved seeds)of pulses is also quite slow. IIPR says that tur’s ssr currently is 35 per cent * increase in area under pulse cultivation has been very slow. from 24.66 Mn Ha i 1990-91 to 29.15 Mn Ha in 2018-19. Similarly productivity has been around 500-600kg/Ha from 1960 to 2000, Only in last two decades has it increased from 544 kg/Ha in 2000-01 to 691 kg/Ha in 2010-11 to 757 kg/Ha in 2018-19

Answer 71

T NAFED is the nodal procurement agency for pulses, like FCI is for rice and wheat

Answer 72

Pulse consumption has decreased over the years. A survey undertaken by ICRISAT reveals most people in the rural areas only receive some 37 gm of pulses each day, against a ICMR recommendation of 40 gm, and an FAO/WHO recommendation of at least 80 gm in order to meet minimum protein requirements. Per capita availability of pulses in India today is less than what it was in 1951 and much below the World Health Organization prescribed norm of 80 g per day. In 1951, it was 60.7g/capita/day and stands at 55g/capita/day in 2020 Pulse have a cultural standing in the culinary space. For eg. in UK, There are about 220 pulse varieties - *rajma, tur, moong, peas, chana, mauth, kurfali ghenduri and ghalda.* The *chudkani* dip made from bhatts or local soybeans is popular in Kumaon, while urad is used during festivals and celebrations. Dal-roti and dal-rice are every day staples found in all the regions, much like the rest of the country

Answer 73

Essential Commodities Act, 1955, fixes a limit of 200 tonnes for storage of pulses on wholesalers, which is too less. “The storage limit was fixed in 1955, when the population was just 250 million. At present, the limit should be 2,000 tonnes Acc to Essential Commodities (Amendment) (ECA) Ordinance, 2020—later legislated into an Act— a stock limit would be imposed only if there was a 100 per cent rise in retail prices of perishable food items in the last one year or five years. This would help the farmers in realising fair prices. But CG imposed stock limits again in July 2021 despite the price of *chana dal* barely higher than the one yr avg and that of *tur dal* only 4.6% higher than avg of last 5 yrs.

Answer 74

NAFED is the nodal agency, just like FCI is for wheat and rice NAFED currently procures five major pulses—gram (chana), green gram (moong), black gram (urad), lentils (masoor), pigeon pea (tur or arhar) on behalf of the Union government from farmers at minimum support price (msp). pulses are under minimum support price (MSP), but farmer awareness is poor as procurement is not effective. The procurement is capped at 25 per cent of the actual production for that year/ season. There is no limit on the procurement of wheat and rice. The registration process is complicated and after that the pulses have to be given within 45 days. There is also an issue of variety and quality. In PHOTOGRAPH: RAJKUMAR VERMA such a situation, farmers sell pulses in the market instead of NAFED Over the years, there have been demands from various quarters, including nafed and the India Pulses and Grains Association, that the government include pulses in its PDS some states already include them under their Integrated Child Development Scheme and mid-day meal programmes no value being placed on the positive externalities of pulse crops like nitrogen fixation ability and lower water and chemical consumption.

Answer 75

* called 'Pusa Basmati 1979' and 'Pusa Basmati 1985' * these rice varieties have been developed by crossing over two existing popular varieties — Pusa 1121 and Pusa 1509 — with Robin, which, in turn, is a drought-tolerant rice variety derived from Nagina 22, another deep root, drought and heat-tolerant rice breed. * The new herbicide-tolerant varieties have, however, been developed through mutation breeding and not by genetic modification to ensure no foreign gene in the new varieties. * The new varieties will save labour as well as water. * Farmers transplant and grow paddy in flooded fields mainly to control weeds, which cannot emerge under water that acts as a natural herbicide. The IARI variety contains a mutated ALS gene making the paddy plant “tolerant” to Imazethapyr, a herbicide effective against a wide range of weeds. This chemical when now sprayed will kill only the weeds, while the paddy can be cultivated without any nursery preparation, transplanting, puddling and flooding. Farmers would save about 30 per cent water, Rs 3,000-per-acre labour costs and 10-15 days’ time from direct seeding, compared to conventional transplantation.

Answer 76

herbicide resistant paddy drought-tolerant variety of chickpea, mosaic resistant pigeon pea, early maturing soybean, biofortified varieties of wheat, pearl millet, maize and chickpea and quinoa among others.

Answer 77

Findings from the three rounds of Situation assessment Survey (SAS)- 2002-03, 2012-13 and 2018-19 * the share of income from rearing animals (this includes fish) has gone up dramatically from 4.3 per cent in 2002-03 to 15.7 per cent * the share of income from the cultivation of crops has decreased from 45.8 per cent to 37.7 per cent. * share of wages and salaries has gone up from 38.7 per cent to 40.3 per cent. * share of income coming from non-farm business has come down from 11.2 per cent to 6.4 per cent. these survey results indicate that the scope for augmenting farmers’ incomes is going to be more and from rearing animals (including fisheries). There is no MSP or govt procurement by Govt for animal products. this trend will get reinforced in the years to come as incomes rise and diets diversify. Wisdom lies in investing more in animal husbandry (including fisheries) and fruits and vegetables, which are more nutritious. The best way to invest is to incentivise the private sector to build efficient value chains based on a cluster approach.

Answer 78

Stubble (parali) burning is the act of setting fire to crop residue to remove them from the field to sow the next crop. * In order to plant next winter crop (Rabi crop), farmers in Haryana and Punjab have to move in a very short interval and if they are late, due to short winters these days, they might face considerable losses. Therefore, burning is the cheapest and fastest way to get rid of the stubble. * If parali is left in the field, pests like termites may attack the upcoming crop. * The precarious economic condition of farmers doesn’t allow them to use expensive mechanised methods to remove stubble.

Answer 79

1. Technology: due to the use of **mechanised harvesting** which leaves several inches of stubble in the fields. * Earlier, this excess crop was used by farmers for cooking, as hay to keep their animals warm or even as extra insulation for homes. * But, now the stubble use for such purposes has become outdated. 2. **Adverse Impact of Laws:** Implementation of the [**Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act (2009)**](https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/punjab-water-law-responsible-for-air-pollution-in-delhi) made the time period of stubble burning coincident **with the onset of winter** in Northern India. * Late transplanting of paddy during Kharif season to prevent water loss as directed by **PPSW Act (2009)** had left farmers with little time between harvesting and preparing the field for the next crop and hence farmers are resorting to the burning of stubble. 3. **High Silica Content:** Rice straw is considered **useless as fodder** in the case of non-basmati rice, because of its **high silica content.**

Answer 80

* Pollution: * emits large amounts of toxic pollutants in the atmosphere which contain harmful gases like methane (CH4), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile organic compound (VOC) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. * about 149 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, more than 9 million tonnes of carbon monoxide, 0.25 million tonnes of oxides of sulphur (SOX), 1.28 million tonnes of particulate matter (PM) and 0.07 million tonnes of black carbon. * smog in winter months in the region * soil fertility:Burning husk on ground destroys the nutrients in the soil, making it less fertile. * Heat Penetration: Heat generated by stubble burning penetrates into the soil, leading to the loss of moisture and useful microbes.

Answer 81

1. prepare organic fertilizers 2. use for electricity generation 3. CHH model 4. tech and farm m/c banks 5. MGNREGA 6. Animal fodder 7. change in cropping pattern

Answer 82

* From parali (stubble), **high-grade organic fertilizers** can be prepared by mixing with cow dung and few natural enzymes. * The total amount of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur in the parali burnt annually in Northwest India is about seven lakh tonnes, valued at Rs 1,000 crore. * Along with the above mentioned nutrients, organic carbon is also destroyed during stubble burning. * These nutrients, if successfully utilized in organic manures, can also reduce the risk of cancer in Punjab by reducing the levels of carcinogens caused by chemical fertilizers in soil.

Answer 83

* **USA-based New Generation Power International** has proposed to set up **1000 MW** biomass energy generating plants in Punjab to address stubble burning. * The company plans to set up 200 plants, each having 5 MW capacity, which will use the stubble as raw material.

Answer 84

* An innovative experiment has been undertaken by the Chhattisgarh government by setting up **gauthans.** * A gauthan is a dedicated five-acre plot, held in common by each village, where all the unused parali is collected through parali daan (people’s donations) and is converted into organic fertiliser by mixing with cow dung and few natural enzymes. * The scheme also generates employment among rural youth. * The government supports the transportation of parali from the farm to the nearest gauthan. * The state has successfully developed 2,000 gauthans.

Answer 85

* The most efficient technology to[**counter stubble burning**](https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crop-stubble-burning-challenge-in-punjab) at the moment is **Turbo Happy Seeder (THS).** * It not only cuts and uproots the stubble but can also drill wheat seeds in the soil that have just been cleared up. The straw is simultaneously thrown over the sown seeds to form a mulch cover. * many farmers find the prices of these machines or their rents prohibitive. * **In-Situ Treatment of Stubble**- For example crop residue management by **zero-tiller machine** and Use of **bio-decomposers (created by ICAR-Pusa)** * [**Pusa Decomposer**](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/11/05/bio-decomposer-technique/&ved=2ahUKEwjAzJ3mncTzAhWSyzgGHXOHD-0QFnoECAYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1_0sMGpMb1bqFrdCtCli7c) is **a mix of seven fungi** that produce enzymes **to digest cellulose, lignin and pectin in paddy straw.** * Establishing **Farm Machinery Banks** for custom hiring of in-situ crop residue management machinery. * Co-operative societies of farmers, [**self-help groups**](https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/self-help-groups-shgs), registered farmers societies/farmers groups, private entrepreneurs for establishment of farm machinery banks or custom hiring centres. * More than 23,000 crop residue management machines are being given to farmers for on-site management of straw. Under a 100% centrally-funded scheme, in-situ residue management machines are given to individual farmers at 50% subsidy and to CHCs (custom hiring centres) at 80% subsidy.

Answer 86

An expansion of schemes like the MGNREGA for harvesting and composting of parali. Potential as Animal Fodder * Punjab produces over **20 million tonnes of** [**paddy straw**](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/08/28/punjab-govt-to-give-incentives-to-industries-for-using-stubble/&ved=2ahUKEwix6O2BnsTzAhW5zTgGHZNYBKIQFnoECAQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0mM7FUk_QbygOGPD84M8eH) **every year**. * **The total value of this straw is** Rs 400 crore approx * **This accounts for economic loss apart from the loss of 77,000 tonnes of nitrogen and 5.6 million tonnes of Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN)** which could be used for ruminant production. * **The nutritional value of 20 million tonnes of paddy straw is:** 10 lakh tonnes of crude protein (CP), 3 lakh tonnes of digestible crude protein (DCP), 80 lakh tonnes of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and phosphorus. * But, **animals cannot be fed paddy straw directly from fields.** This is because high **silica and lignin content** reduces its digestive properties. Higher **selenium** content in paddy straw also limits its use as fodder in animals as compared to wheat straw. * But if **given in moderate quantities (up to 5 kg per animal per day), selenium poses no health hazard** to the animal. * **Other methods include** urea treatment of paddy straw and urea plus molasses treatment.

Answer 87

* in the longer time span, **shifting** [**cropping pattern**](https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one) away from paddy to maize, cotton, fruits or vegetables in Punjab, Haryana and UP. * The [**Commission for Air Quality Management**](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/07/31/the-commission-for-air-quality-management-in-the-national-capital-region-and-adjoining-areas-bill-2021-2/&ved=2ahUKEwicwOn82bzzAhUCgtgFHY9zB7oQFnoECAkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw15y4CBlnKUxh_RrlX4FKOF) has said that a reduction in the area under paddy cultivation in FY 2022 in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh (by 7.7%), as well as a shift away from paddy varieties that take long to mature, could see **a reduction in stubble burning in 2021** * **Crop diversification and moving away from PUSA-44 variety** with short duration High Yielding Varieties are part of the framework and action plan for control of stubble burning.

Answer 88

* Section 188 of the [Indian Penal Code (IPC)](https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/indian-penal-code/) makes stubble burning a crime. Additionally, it was notified as an offence under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. * In 2019, the Supreme Court directed the governments of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh to pay farmers a financial incentive to curb the practice. * In 2020, the Government of Punjab appointed 8000 nodal officers in villages that grow paddy in order to put a check on stubble burning. * SC had also decided to form a one-man committee chaired by Justice Madan Lokur to monitor/prevent stubble burning in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

Answer 89

* River Ranching is a form of aquaculture in which a population of a fish species (such as salmon) is held in captivity for the first stage of their lives. * They are then released, and later harvested as adults when they return from the sea to their freshwater birthplace to spawn. * River ranching programme was introduced as special activity under [**the ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme**](https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/09/10/pradhan-mantri-matsya-sampada-yojana-launched/)

Answer 90

1. It is a scheme for focused and sustainable **development of fisheries sector** in the country. 2. 20,000+ crores has been sanctioned for its **implementation during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories,** as a part of **AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package.** 3. **11000 Cr for - Marine, Inland fisheries and Aquaculture activities and 9000cr for infrastructure** 4. It seeks to adopt **‘Cluster or Area based approaches’.** 5. **Aims and targets of the scheme:** 1. Enhance fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25. 2. Increase fisheries export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crore by 2024-25. 3. Double incomes of fishers and fish farmers. 4. Reduce post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10%. 5. Generate additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in fisheries sector and allied activities. 6. hopes to increase seaweed production to 10 crore tonnes by 2025 6. uniqueness of the scheme: PMMSY envisages **many new interventions** such as 1. fishing vessel insurance, 2. Ban period support to fishermen 3. support for new/up-gradation of fishing vessels/boats, Bio-toilets, 4. Aquaculture in saline/alkaline areas, 5. Sagar Mitras 6. Nucleus Breeding Centres, 7. Fisheries and Aquaculture start-ups, Incubators, etc. 8. cage culture, seaweed farming, ornamental fisheries 7. national Fisheries Development Board, hyderabad is the nodal agency

Answer 91

Rainbow revolution is an integral development programme of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, sugarcane, fishery, poultry and animal husbandry. The various colors of the Rainbow Revolution indicate various farm practices such as Green Revolution (Foodgrains), White Revolution (Milk), Yellow Revolution (Oil seeds), Blue Revolution (Fisheries); Golden Revolution (Fruits); Silver Revolution (Eggs), Round Revolution (Potato), Pink Revolution (Meat), Grey Revolution (Fertilizers) and so on.

Answer 92

* **Seaweed is the common name for countless species of marine plants & algae that grow in the ocean as well as in rivers, lakes, & other water bodies.** * They are **macrophytic** which mean they live in water or moist land surfaces. * **They generally grow in the shallow waters in the tidal zone.** * Some are enormous, like the giant kelp that grow in abundant “forests” from their roots at the bottom. * **Seaweeds exhibit highest photosynthesis efficiency due to moist conditions.**

Answer 93

* **Seaweed is full of vitamins, minerals, & fibre.** * Many seaweeds contain anti-inflammatory & anti-microbial agents. seaweed as the main ingredient in various nutraceutical products, from anti-obesity tablets to anti-arthritic and anti-diabetic pills. * They are known to process significant medicinal effects. * Certain seaweeds possess powerful **cancer-fighting agents**. * They are effective binding agents (emulsifiers) & are used commercial goods as toothpaste & fruit jelly, & popular softeners in organic cosmetics & skin-care products. * seaweed products such as agar gel can withstand high temperatures — it can be used as a stabiliser and thickener in pie fillings, icings * As it is tasteless, it does not interfere with the flavour of the food, and in ice creams it is used to inhibit the crystallisation of ice. * Agar-agar, the main ingredient in falooda and jigarthanda, is a seaweed-based product. * Carrageenan, extracted from a seaweed, is an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve food and drinks * Alginate, another extract, is used in restructured and reformed food products such as chicken nuggets. As a binder and emulsifier, it helps meat retain its shape. * scientific use: * AquAgri manufactures a product called Sagarika, derived from the sap of red and brown algae, which acts as a bioenhancer and stimulates the internal growth of plants. * Researchers say that an extract from seaweed also helps in the faster germination of seeds, and this was successfully tested on cotton seeds. As organic farming becomes the buzzword, seaweed is becoming the fertiliser of the future.

Answer 94

* occupation for coastal people * commerical potential * eco-friendly * women empowerment

Answer 95

* **India is among the 12 mega-**[**biodiversity**](https://www.pmfias.com/biodiversity-hotspots-india/) **nations in the world with** an EEZ **of 2.17 million km²**. * About 844 seaweed species are reported from India which has a **coastline of 7,500 km**. * Tamil Nadu, Gujarat coasts, Lakshadweep & Andaman & Nicobar Islands are abundant in seaweed. * Gulf of Mannar is home to more than 240 seaweed varieties out of which at least 185 are edible ones. * Earlier, seaweed was collected by fishermen through natural harvesting. But since 2000, under CSIR, cultivation of seaweeds through bamboo raft method was started and now, the shoreline in places including Mandapam in Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram are dotted with floating farms of seaweed. fisherwomen in these regions have been cultivating a species of seaweed that yields carrageenan. Carrageenan is an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve food and drinks — it’s a commercially viable venture.

Answer 96

Defn: Indebtedness can be described as impoverishment by debt or as a situation where a household is caught in spiral debts. Acc to NSO Survey, * Average income of agricultural households and farm incomes have increased by 25% and 50% respectively betn 2012 and 2018 * average outstanding loan per agricultural household increased 57.7 per cent from 2013 to 2018 * 50.2% agri HHs indebted * avg amt of outstanding loan per agri HH \>Rs 74000 * 20.5% loans were from moneylenders. 70% from institutional sources * 57.5% loans taken for agricultural purposes

Answer 97

1. INcreasing access to insti finance due to Govt efforts: Ground level credit (GLC) to agriculture has nearly doubled (from Rs.7.30 lakh crore to Rs.13.92 lakh crore) during the period 2013–14 to 2019–20 2. INadequate Growth of farm productivity and income due to factors like CC, price volatility, marketing bottlenecks etc. 3. increased cost of cultivation: (almost 95 per cent tractors are taken on loans 4. poor risk mitigation i.e. low crop isurance coverage 5. High cost of informal loans: debt cycle 6. debt for unproductive purposes 7. farm loan waivers 8. litigation

Answer 98

* reduced investment in modernisation * distressed selling * impoverishment and farmer suicides * increases NPA risk of banking system * unviability of agriculture as an economic activity, threatening food security and pushing farmers into a seemingly endless spiral of debt.

Answer 99

* PM-KISAN: cash payment * PMFBY for risk mitigation * increase in MSPs * creation of corpus funds like Micro Irrigation Fund, AIF etc.

Answer 100

* AoA concluded by WTO members came into force in 1995. * It provides a framework for the long-term reform of agricultural trade and domestic policies, with the aim of leading to fairer competition and a less distorted sector * Under the Agreement, WTO members agree to “schedules” or lists of commitments that set limits on the tariffs they can apply to individual products and on levels of domestic support and export subsidies * It also takes into account non-trade concerns, including food security and the need to protect the environment, and provides special and differential treatment for developing countries * Special Agricultural Safeguard (SSG) was provided to developing economies under which they can impose an additional duty in case of import surge (volume) or fall of import price below a specified reference price * Three main rounds of negotiations: 1. Uruguay Round 2. DOha Round 3. Nairobi Package * Three pillars/Coverage of AoA: 1. Domestic Support: calls for **reduction in domestic subsidies** that distorts free trade and fair price. Under this provision, the **Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS) is to be reduced by 20%** over a period of 6 years by developed countries and 13% over a period of 10 years by developing countries. Under this subsidies are categorized into Green, Amber and Blue Box 2. **Market Access: tariffs fixed (like custom duties) by individual countries be cut progressively to allow free trade.** It also required countries to remove non-tariff barriers and convert them to Tariff duties. 3. Export Subisidy: Subsidy **on inputs of agriculture,** making export cheaper or other incentives for exports such as import duty remission etc

Answer 101

Uruguay Round created certain categories of domestic support: 1. Green Box: * Subsidies that **do not distort trade,** or at most cause minimal distortion. * They are **government-funded** and must not involve price support. * They also include **environmental protection and regional development programmes.** * “Green box” subsidies are therefore **allowed without limits,** provided they comply with the policy-specific criteria. * applies to both developing and developed countries, but in the case of developing countries special treatment is provided in respect of governmental stockholding programmes for food security purposes and subsidized food prices for urban and rural poor * India's PDS does not come under Green Box 2. Amber Box: * All domestic support measures considered to distort production and trade, with some exceptions, fall into this box * These include **measures to support prices, or subsidies directly related to production** quantities. * eg. MSP, procurement price, subsidies on inputs like fertilizer, water, credit, power 3. Blue Box: 1. These are basically Amber box subsidies but they tend to limit the production. Any support that would normally be in the Amber box, if placed in the blue box if the support also requires farmers to Limit their production 2. At present, **there are no limits on spending on blue box subsidies.** 4. Special and Differential Treatment Box: 1. Investment subsidy is like tractors nd pumpsets, agricultural inputs services like fertilizers to farmers etc. 2. This can be given by only developing and low income countries

Answer 102

Minimal amounts of domestic support that are allowed even though they distort trade Up to 5% of the value of production for developed countries and 10% for developing

Answer 103

Provides protection to domestic support measures and export subsidies of WTO members from challenge by other WTO members. Please close expired on January 1st 2004. Another temporary peace clause made at the WTO Bali conference in December 2013 for until 2017. It Stipulated that no country would be legally barred from food security program for its own people even if the subsidy breached the limits in the WTO AoA

Answer 104

* An agreement to negotiate a permanent solution for public stockholding for food security purposes * to expand the green box list of general services a declaration * to reduce all forms of export subsidies and to enhance transparency and monitoring * a temporary peace clause was added

Answer 105

Decision to eliminate agricultural export subsidies and set disciplines on export measures with equivalent effect WTO members agreed to engage constructively in finding a permanent solution to developing countries use of public stock holding program for food security purposes Also agreed to continue negotiations on a special safeguard mechanism (SSM)

Answer 106

1. Need for a permanent solution to the dispute over public stock holding of food grains for food security purposes. India is not satisfied with the peace clause negotiated at Bali conference that allowed it to go beyond the 10% cap for its MSP with immunity from legal challenge from other WTO members for the next four years. No outcome was reached at Nairobi or at the Buenos Aires conference 2. WTO rules wicket possible for rich countries to get away with farm subsidies which destabilize and depresses the international market prices impacting the farm incomes in developing countries. In 2015, US govt provided a subsidy of $7,860 on an average to each of its farmers. On the contrary, in 2014, Indian government provided on average a subsidy of $417 to 9.05 crore farmers 3. Market Access: Access for products from developing countries, continues to be impeded in the developed country markets due to their high trade distorting domestic support policies coupled with high tariffs and Phyto-Sanitary policies

Answer 107

1. All measures taken by the developing countries for poverty alleviation, rural development, rural employment and diversification of agriculture should be exempted from any form of reduction commitments. 2. Product coverage requires rationalisation by including primary agricultural commodities such as rubber, primary forest produce, jute, coir, abaca and sisal etc 3. All forms of export subsidisation including export credit, guarantees, price discounts and insurance programmes etc. in developed countries should be added to the export subsidies. 4. Developed country members should not be allowed to use overly stringent trade restrictive SPS measures for protectionist purposes against developing countries. 5. Developing country members should be exempt from any obligation to provide any minimum market access. 6. Developing country members should be allowed to maintain appropriate levels of tariff bindings keeping in mind their developmental needs and the high distortions prevalent in the international markets

Answer 108

1) Seeds Act 1966 and Seeds control order of 2006 2) Seeds bill 2019 (also in 2014 but lapsed)

Answer 109

-\> Current act only covers "notified varieties of seed" -\> "Release" is a pre-condition for notification of a variety -\> Such notified varieties currently are mostly by PSIs like ICAR and SAUs -\> 1966 Act brought at a time of GR when country hardly had any pvt sector ind in seeds but since then pvt sector has become significant esp in seeds amenable to hybridisation -\> size of pvt seed industry in India is worth 15000 cr. Most of pvt hybrids in India aren't officially released but instead 'truthfully labelled'.

Answer 110

notifies only after officially released after multi-location trials, over 3yrs+ to evaluate their yield performance, disease and pest resistance, quality and other desired traits

Answer 111

1) compulsory registration of any kind or variety of seeds to be sold i.e. even hybrid varieties by pvt companies will need to be regtd and theirseeds will need to meet minimum prescribed stds relating to germination, physical and genetic purity. 2) Breeders would need to disclose expected performance under 'given conditions' and actual produce fails to, then farmer can seek compensation under Consumer Protection Act 1986

Answer 112

-\> passed under Essential commodities Act -\> mandates dealer to ensure min stds of germination, purity and other qlty parameters wrt all (notified or otherwise) seed varieties -\> The new Seeds bill 2019, if passed, may make this order redundant

Answer 113

Paddy:7-8% corn: 60-70% jowar and bajra: 90% cotton :95% major veggies like okra, cabbage, caulifl.: 80% banana: tissue culture micropropogation planting tech

Answer 114

1) Process of registration needs to be time-bound 2) Given the lack of manpower and infra witihn govt, multi location trials may need to be carried oyt by the breeder/ applicant himself 3) provision of regulation of price"in emergency like scarcity of seeds, abnormal rise in prices, monopolistic pricing or profiteering": power given to both centre and states govt

Answer 115

Total urea sales eschewed: Kharif season: 2.067 MT (2019) vs 2.675 MT (2018) Rabi season: 1.678 MT (2019) vs 1.373 MT (2018)

Answer 116

1) regulating trade by the SG 2) safeguarding farmers against and ensuring trnsprent price recovery 3) farmersback then had ltd knowledge of demand and supply forecasts and domestic and international demand

Answer 117

1) over time laws became outdated 2) physical bouandaries of mandis became too imp 3) multiple levy of mkt fee within a state 4) no mechanism to vouch for qlty of produce and thus buyer had to be present physically 5)no relation betn qlty and price realisation

Answer 118

1) a single unified license for all mandis in the state 2) single point levy of mkt fee 3) providing for e-auction/e-trading as a mode of price discovery

Answer 119

1) 1000 mandis across 18 states and 3 UTs 2) almost 1.7 cr farmers and 1.97 L traders are regtd (Oct 2021) 3) total value of agri-produce traded on e-NAM is Rs. 1.% L Cr

Answer 120

1) assaying of produce qlty: since inception,nearly 64L lots traded on e-NAM have been assayed 2) betn 2016 and 2018, avg no, of bids placed pertrading lot has gone up frm 2.1 to 3.9. eg. adoni mandi in Andhra recieived 34 bids per lot of cotton on e-NAM 3) e-NAM software nw has option of making online payments to farmers and is actively encouraged by giving discounts. Total 504 cr worth payment done this way 4) platform has also seen inter-mandi trade both within and betn different states 5) farmers can now access facilities like: round the clock price info, advance lot regtn, view bids being placed 6) traders can buy frm more than one mkt with same license and quote bids without being physically present. 7) Govt is also planning to introduce warehouse based trading modules (andhra has deemed23 warehouses as 'deemed mkts') and to allow inter-operability of e-NAM with other e-trading platforms like Rashtriya e-Mkt services in KN and setting up an insti mechanism for inter-state trade licensing and dispute settlement 8) more than 850 FPOs have come aboard e-NAM to enable cost savings as well as better price realisations 9) Farmgate level transactions by FPOs is being slowly introduced with first such transaction through e-NAM took place recently in Solan, HP 10) case study: GFPCL, an FPO, realised **Rs 200 per quintal higher** for Maize commodity at Modasa eNAM mandi in GJ

Answer 121

1. The number of agricultural labourers who died by suicide in 2020 was 18% higher than the previous year. 2. Overall, 10,677 people engaged in the farm sector died by suicide in 2020. 3. However, suicides among landowning farmers dropped slightly during the pandemic year. 4. Landless agricultural labourers, who did not benefit from income support schemes such as [**PM Kisan**](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/01/12/pm-kisan-3/&ved=2ahUKEwi6h7HFufHzAhU27XMBHZjWBX0QFnoECAYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0t_bF4pMCWs2zHF6Jxd0po)**,** may have faced higher levels of distress during the pandemic. 5. The worst among the States continues to be **Maharashtra.** Karnataka saw a dismal 43% increase in the number of farm worker suicides in 2020.

Answer 122

1. No robust Procuerment Policy 1. Public procurement accounted for nearly 50% of India’s rice/paddy production last year, while amounting to 40% for wheat and over 25% in cotton. 2. Not reaching all 1. as per Swaminathan report, only 6% farmers using MSP system 2. In most crops grown across much of India, the prices received by farmers, especially during harvest time, are well below the officially-declared MSPs. 3. _The_ **_23 MSP crops_** _together, in turn, account for hardly a_ **_third of the total value of India’s agricultural output, excluding forestry and fishing_**_._ 4. improper supervision of Food imports 5. inaccurate evaluation of cost by CACP 6. procurement mechanism not reaching small and marginal farmers 7. improper land reforms and irrigation policies 8. neglect of demand side factors in cost calculation

Answer 123

1. Centre currently announces the **_MSPs of 23 crops_**. They include 7 cereals (paddy, wheat, maize, bajra, jowar, ragi and barley), 5 pulses (chana, tur/arhar, moong, urad and masur), 7 oilseeds (rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soyabean, sunflower, sesamum, safflower and nigerseed) and _4 commercial crops (sugarcane, cotton, copra and raw jute)_. 2. While the MSPs technically ensure a [**minimum 50% return on all cultivation costs**](https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/09/11/a-hike-in-the-minimum-support-price-msp-does-not-necessarily-result-in-higher-price-realisation-for-farmers-and-thus-needs-systemic-improvements-analyse-2/), these are largely on paper. 3. In most crops grown across much of India, the prices received by farmers, especially during harvest time, are well below the officially-declared MSPs. 4. And since **_MSPs have no statutory backing_**, they cannot demand these as a matter of right. 5. The unions want the government _to_ **_enact legislation conferring mandatory status to MSP_**_, rather than just being an indicative or desired price_.

Answer 124

There are basically three ways. 1. The first is by forcing private traders or processors to pay MSP. This is already applicable in sugarcane. 1. Sugar mills are required, by law, to pay farmers the Centre’s “fair and remunerative price” for cane, with some SGs fixing even higher so-called “advised prices”. 2. The Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 issued under the Essential Commodities Act, moreover, obliges payment of this legally-guaranteed price within 14 days of cane purchase. 2. The second is **_by the_** [**government undertaking procurement at MSP**](https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/11/23/policy-on-msp/) through its agencies such as the FCI, NAFED and Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). 1. Such purchases accounted for nearly 50% of India’s rice/paddy production last year, while amounting to 40% for wheat and over 25% in cotton. 2. Generally speaking, _MSP implementation has been effective only in four crops (sugarcane, paddy, wheat and cotton)_; partly so in five (chana, mustard, groundnut, tur and moong) and weak/non-existent in the remaining 14 notified crops. 3. _The_ **_23 MSP crops_** _together, in turn, account for hardly a_ **_third of the total value of India’s agricultural output, excluding forestry and fishing_**_._ 4. assuming that only 10 per cent of the production of crops other than rice and wheat (excluding sugarcane) is procured, it will cost the government about Rs 5.4 lakh crore annually to procure these other MSP crops. 3. The third route for **_guaranteeing MSP is via price deficiency payments_**. 1. Under it, the government neither directly purchases nor forces the private industry to pay MSP. 2. Instead, it allows all sales by farmers to take place at the prevailing market prices. 3. Farmers are simply paid the difference between the government’s MSP and the average market price for the particular crop during the harvesting season. 4. We know very well that Madhya Pradesh adopted this scheme (Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana) in kharif 2017 for eight crops (maize, tur, urad, moong, soybean, groundnut, sesamum, and nigerseed) but had to give up the very next season as traders gamed it, widening the gap between market prices and MSP, and benefited massively from this scheme, while the government incurred heavy expenditure.

Answer 125

WHile the other problems of India's agri sector will continue persist, even for MSP and procurement, it won't be all pretty. * The legality of MSP means that no one is allowed to buy a crop below its MSP. If this demand is accepted it will not only mess up the economy but will ultimately turn out to be anti-farmer. The reason is simple: It ignores the basic logic that prices are largely decided by the overall demand and supply. * Legal backing for the MSP could also lead to the _danger of the trade keeping away from places where the law is implemented vigorously_. * For example, when Punjab said it would make MSP legal and binding, wheat traders said they would keep off the state to avoid trouble for themselves. * Even after procuring more than 50 per cent of the marketed surplus of rice and wheat, the market prices of rice and wheat remained below MSP in several states. For example, in November 2020, market prices of paddy in Chhattisgarh were below the MSP by more than Rs 300/quintal; in UP, the gap was about Rs 102/quintal. This situation prevailed widely in Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and many eastern states. Similarly, in wheat, the crop sold below the MSP in UP and MP, the largest wheat producing states. * assuming that only 10 per cent of the production of crops other than rice and wheat (excluding sugarcane) is procured, it will cost the government about Rs 5.4 lakh crore annually to procure these other MSP crops. * Further, FCI’s grain mountain is evidence of how cumbersome public procurement and stocking operations can be. In the crop year 2020-21, about 60 million metric tonnes (MMTs) of rice and 43 MMTs of wheat were procured by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and NAFED procured about 0.66 MMTs of pulses. * This is not to mention the [**huge scope for corruption and recycling/leakage** of wheat and rice](https://www.insightsonindia.com/agriculture/farm-subsidies-and-msp/recent-developments-associated-with-msp/), whether from godowns, ration shops or in transit. * Also, while cereals and pulses can be sold through the public distribution system, disposal becomes complicated in the case of nigerseed, sesamum or safflower. * Even when it comes to sugarcane, the experience of mills [**accumulating huge payment arrears**](https://www.insightsonindia.com/agriculture/farm-subsidies-and-msp/recent-developments-associated-with-msp/) to growers is proof of the **_practical limitations of “legal MSP”._** * Even if govt rather choose the alternative of guaranteeing ‘minimum income’ rather than ‘minimum price’ (on a flat per-acre as in the _Telangana government’s Rythu Bandhu scheme) or per-farm household (the Centre’s PM-Kisan) basis_), the resource requirement of such interventions will be so huge that no government will be left with resources to help farmers through **_other means like investment in public infrastructure, irrigation, and other incentives_**. * The _danger of over-reliance on MSP is already visible_ in the state of Punjab. Agriculture has reached an almost static stage there. The state is **_unable to diversify away from crops_** like paddy, which is destroying its natural resources and environment, marring long-term prospects of farming.

Answer 126

Rythu Bandhu scheme or Farmer’s Investment Support Scheme (FISS) is a welfare program to support farmer’s investment for two crops a year by the Government of Telangana Under the scheme, almost 58.33 lakh farmers of Telangana state are provided Rs 5000 per acre, per season (crop-sowing) – to support the farm investment twice a year, for both – the Rabi and the Kharif seasons. Who qualifies under the Rythu Bandhu scheme? To apply under the scheme and to make the cut, the farmer should have been a resident of Telangana state and must own farming land. ● The scheme is applicable for small and marginal farmers; however, commercial farmers are excluded from the scheme. ● Also, farmers who till rented land are excluded from under this scheme. Currently, more than 8 lakh farmers in Telangana enjoy the benefits of the Rythu Bandhu scheme." How does it compare with the PM-KISAN scheme: Rythu Bandhu is based on anticipated input expenditure for each acre of land and there is no restriction on the number of acres owned by a farmer. PM-KISAN only provides support to the family and not to the farm units. The Rythu Bandhu scheme has also come in from criticism from several quarters, with one of the major ones being that it ignores the plight of landless or tenant farmers.

Answer 127

1. The MSP value of the total output of all the 23 notified crops worked out to about Rs 11.9 lakh crore in 2020-21. 2. Taking an average of 75% yield sold – the MSP value of production actually sold by farmers – just under Rs 9 lakh crore. 3. The government is further, as it is, procuring many crops. The MSP value of the 89.42 mt of paddy and 43.34 mt of wheat alone bought during 2020-21 was around Rs 253,275 crore. 4. All in all, then, the MSP is already being enforced, directly or through fiat, on roughly Rs 3.8 lakh crore worth of produce. 5. Providing legal guarantee for the entire marketable surplus of the 23 MSP crops would mean covering another Rs 5 lakh crore or so.

Answer 128

is based on a calculation of at least one-and-a-half times the cost of production incurred by the farmers. ● The Union Budget for 2018-19 had announced that MSP would be kept at levels of 1.5 the cost of production. ● The MSP is fixed twice a year on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which is a statutory body and submits separate reports recommending prices for kharif and rabi seasons. CACP considers both ‘A2+FL’ and ‘C2’ costs while recommending MSP. 1. A2 costs cover all paid-out expenses, both in cash and kind, incurred by farmers on seeds, fertilisers, chemicals, hired labour, fuel and irrigation, among others. 2. A2+FL covers actual paid-out costs plus an imputed value of unpaid family labour. 3. The C2 costs account for the rentals and interest forgone on owned land and fixed capital assets respectively, on top of A2+FL.

Answer 129

Launched on **Panchayati Raj Diwas** (April 24th, 2020). Last year, it was extended to all states. Earlier, it was launched only for 9 states. * The scheme seeks **to map residential land ownership in the rural sector** using modern technology like the use of drones. So far (Jan 2022) drone surveys have covered close to 1,00,000 villages and maps of 77,527 villages had been handed over to states. * The scheme aims to revolutionize property record maintenance in India. * The scheme is piloted by **the Panchayati Raj ministry.** * Under the scheme, residential land in villages will be measured using drones to create a non-disputable record. * **Property card for every property in the village** will be prepared by states using accurate measurements delivered by drone-mapping. These cards will be given to property owners and will be recognised by the land revenue records department. So far (Jan 2022), Property cards had been distributed to around 27,000 villages. * govt plans to prepare digital maps of all its 6,00,000 villages and pan-India 3D maps will be prepared for 100 cities. **Benefits of the scheme:** * The delivery of property rights through an official document will enable villagers to access bank finance using their property as collateral. * The property records for a village will also be maintained at the Panchayat level, allowing for the collection of associated taxes from the owners. The money generated from these local taxes will be used to build rural infrastructure and facilities. * Freeing the residential properties including land of title disputes and the creation of an official record is likely to result in appreciation in the market value of the properties. * The accurate property records can be used for facilitating tax collection, new building and structure plan, issuing of permits and for thwarting attempts at property grabbing.

Answer 130

Under the scheme, a 14-digit identification number will be issued to every plot of land in the country. It is being described as “the Aadhaar for land” — a number that would uniquely identify every surveyed parcel of land and prevent land fraud, especially in rural India, where land records are outdated and disputed. It will be linked to Aadhar, revenue system. The identification will be based on the longitude and latitude of the land parcel, and is dependent on detailed surveys and geo-referenced cadastral maps. Six states will get the unique number in first phase

Answer 131

Agristartups are basically startups with products and services that meet the various needs of the agricultural value chain. They perform a myriad of services incl extension services, information dissemination, market linkage, quality control, r&D etc.

Answer 132

1. Globally, India is competing with the US and China in the agri-startup space. According to Agfunder, India witnessed an increase in funding from $619 million in H1 2020 to $2 billion in H1 2021, behind the US ($9.5 billion) and China ($4.5 billion) 2. An Ernst & Young 2020 study pegs the Indian agritech market potential at $24 billion by 2025, of which only 1 per cent has been captured so far. It is estimated that 10Bn$ will be invested in Indian agritech startups over next 10 yrs 3. Among various agritech segments, the supply chain technology and output markets have the highest potential, worth $12.1 billion. 4. Currently, it is estimated that there are about 600 to 700 agritech startups in India operating at different levels of agri-value chains. Many of them use artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), internet of things (IoT), etc, Acc to ES 2019-20, 3.8% of total recognised startups in India are in this space. Of these 54% are classified as agritech while the rest are in the field of dairy farming,food processing 5. novelty of startup-led value chain transformation is not limited to empowering farmers but also co-opting local grocery, mom-and-pop, and kirana stores as well as small agrifood businesses. At the same time, the startup network is able to leverage the bigger front-end players who demand bulk quality produce and have challenges in directly linking with farmers. 6. multiple models of engagement 1. Ninjacart started as a farmer-to-consumer (F2C) venture but soon moved onto farmer-to-business (F2B) 2. Dehaati Beej Se Baazar Tak is a full-stack agri service startup that engages through B2F (business-to-farmer) and F2B models. 3. Crofarm is a F2B digital supply chain that manages logistics, inventory and supply of fresh produce directly from farms to retail chains like Big Bazaar 4. Crofarm’s Otipy is an app-based F2B2C social commerce platform that delivers (in addition to grocery and other household items) fruits and vegetables directly sourced from farmers to consumers through their partner resellers. 7. The agritech startups have a growing footprint. Dehaat is present in Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh; Ninjacart operates in nearly 11 cities. With a farmer network of 10,000 plus, Crofarm has served more than 1 lakh consumers and 5,000 businesses. Otipy has emerged as one of the popular app-based platforms with nearly 2 lakh customers and more than 8.25 lakh mobile downloads. 8. The startups have had a demonstrated impact. Ninjacart reduced wastage to 4 per cent compared to up to 25 per cent in traditional chains through demand-driven harvest schedule. Logistics optimisation enabled delivery in less than 12 hours at one-third the cost in traditional chains. Farmers’ net incomes are reported to have increased by 20 per cent. Dehaat has enabled up to 50 per cent increase in farmers’ income as a result of savings in input costs, increased farm productivity, and better price discovery. 9. Agritech startups-led e-commerce platforms have the potential to steer the shift from government-controlled agricultural markets towards more demand-driven digital markets.

Answer 133

Agri can be divided into 4 sectors and agri-startups are contributing to each of them. 1. agri inputs 1. with use of tech like AI, ML and data analytics, help in identifying the right crop to be sown for better yield 2. Farming-as-a-Service model (FaaS model) is also emerging. It offers innovative solutions for agri through a subscription based pr pay-per-use model which enables stakeholders to make effective data driven decisions to help boost productivity and efficiency 3. Fasal's microclimatic forecasts are tailored to each farm locations. 2. agri-financial services 1. enable farmers to upload their records digitally and apply for credit 2. SatSure, founded in 2016, strives helps them improve crop insurance, innovate on agri-lending services and improve mkt linkages 3. food processing companies 4. farm mechanisation 1. start ups are offering farm equipments, even on rental basis

Answer 134

1. supported under Start-Up India scheme 2. DPIIT's Startup India Seed Fund scheme (SISFS) with an outlay of 945 Cr to provide financial assistance to startups 3. MoAFW's Agriculture Grand challenge 4. setting up of National Centre for Mgmt and Agri Extension (MANAGE) in Hyderabad 5. Deptt of Agri, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DACFW) has launched a new component called ‘Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development’, under RKVY-RAFTAAR. Five knowledge partners and 24 agri business incubators have been appointed by DACFW to advise on smooth and efficient execution of this program in various States. The selected startup shall be eligible for a maximum financial assistance of rupees 5 lakh in the pre-seed stage and for 2500000 In The Seed stage 6. Further innovation is encouraged by Niti Aayog Atal innovation mission, Biotech Park and incubator programs run by department of biotechnology. 7. Ministry of development of North Eastern region has launched initiative for development of entrepreneurs in agriculture (IDEA) 8. Government in the union budget of 2017-18 announce the creation of dairy processing and infrastructure development fund under NABARD with total Corpus of rupees 8000 crores over a period of three years 9. The dairy entrepreneurship development scheme (DEDS) is yet another scheme implemented by department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries.

Answer 135

1. These companies Unlike the text sector have longer investment cycles and have a high need for patient capital. 2. The combined revenue of all agri tech startups in India is estimated to be less than 100 million dollars which is a drop in the ocean in a market worth more than 350 billion dollars. Thus, the opportunity to scale and disrupt is huge. 3. Challenges facing the factor are 1. Small and scattered land Holdings of farmers reduce the scope of Technology scale up leading to poor cost-effectiveness 2. Rate of return on technology investment has not proven very profitable in case of agri Tech startup as compared to other IT-cased startups 3. Technology adoption and penetration is a very slow process which certainly diminisher investors interest 4. High-priced Technology Solutions are an affordable for a large user group i.e. Small and marginal farmers 5. Most of the technology solutions available are not localised to emerging markets 6. Regulations though favourable are complex in nature

Answer 136

SEBI has immediately suspended trading in derivative contracts In key farm commodities namely paddy, wheat, Chana, mustard seeds and its derivatives, soya bean and its derivative, crude palm oil and moong for a year (Dec 2021) It is being suspended to rein in the rising prices of the essential commodities which is fuelling inflation

Answer 137

1, 2, 4, 6 (Crop-area in 2021 in Mn Ha- area in 2020 in Mn Ha) Rice-37.4- 37.8 Pulses- 13.4-13.2 coarse cereals- 16.9-17.1 oilseeds-18.7-18.9 sugarcane-5.4-5.3 cotton-11.7-12.7

Answer 138

T 104.3 Mn Ha in 2021 vs 106 Mn Ha in 2020

Answer 139

● Global commodity prices are extremely high. COVID-19 is a major factor, disrupting supply chains, closing down industries. ● There is insufficient labour in the oil production industry in many countries. ● Excessive buying of edible oil by China. ● Many major oil producers are aggressively pursuing biofuel policies and diverting their edible oil crops for that purpose. ● Governmental taxes and duties also make up a major chunk of the retail price of edible oils in India

Answer 140

Landraces refer to naturally occurring variants of commonly cultivated crops. These are as opposed to commercially grown crops, which are developed by selective breeding (hybrids) or through genetic engineering to express a certain trait over others. Biodiversity allows a natural mechanism for crops to develop traits to face challenging situations. However, given the large-scale human interference in crop selection, that ability is now lost in most commercial crops. ● Crop improvement through selection and breeding over several decades has narrowed the genetic base of most crops. Need for and significance of landraces: Amid the threat of climate change, a challenge before scientists and policymakers is to develop varieties that can withstand both abiotic and biotic stresses. ● Naturally occurring landraces have a large pool of still untapped genetic material, which can provide solutions. ● Genetic diversity is nature’s survival mechanism. The wider the gene pool, the more the chance of developing a trait that can help in surviving extreme climate events. Among the winners of this year’s Padma awards is **Rahibai Popere**, popularly known as Seedmother, from Akole taluka of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. ● Her Padma Shri is a recognition of her work that has helped save hundreds of landraces at the village level

Answer 141

‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission’ was launched in 2014 to conserve and develop indigenous bovine breeds, under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBD). Key objectives of the mission ● Development and conservation of indigenous breeds. ● Undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle breeds so as to improve the genetic makeup and increase the stock. ● Enhance milk production and productivity. ● Upgrade nondescript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi. ● Distribute disease free high genetic merit bulls for natural service. Implementation 1. It is being implemented through the “State Implementing Agency’ Livestock Development Boards, i.e., SIA’s (LDB’s). 2. State Gauseva Ayogs are mandated to sponsor proposals to the SIA’s (LDB’s) and monitor implementation of the sponsored proposal. 3. The “Participating Agencies” like CFSPTI, CCBFs, ICAR, Universities, Colleges, NGO’s, Cooperative Societies and Gaushalas with best germplasm.

Answer 142

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission envisages the establishment of integrated cattle development centers, ‘Gokul Grams’ to develop indigenous breeds including up to 40% nondescript breeds. Gokul Grams will be established in: ● The native breeding tracts and ● Near metropolitan cities for housing the urban cattle. Objectives: ● Promote indigenous cattle rearing and conservation in a scientific manner. ● Propagate high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds. ● Optimize modern Farm Management practices and promote Common Resource Management. ● Utilize animal waste in an economical way i.e. Cow Dung, Cow Urine. Key features of Gokul Grams ● They will be self-sustaining and will generate economic resources from sale of A2 milk organic manure, vermi-composting, urine distillates, and production of electricity fraom bio gas for in house consumption and sale of animal products. ● They will also function as state of the art in situ training centre for Farmers, Breeders and MAITRI’s. ● Gokul Grams act as Centres for development of Indigenous Breeds and a dependable source for supply of high genetic breeding stock to the farmers in the breeding tract. ● The Gokul Gram will maintain milch and unproductive animals in the ratio of 60:40 and will have the capacity to maintain about 1000 animals. ● Nutritional requirements of the animals will be provided in the Gokul Gram through in house fodder production.

Answer 143

● It is in line with the One Nation – One Scheme theme- It replaced National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS). ● Launched in 2016. ● Coverage: All food & oilseed crops and annual commercial/horticultural crops for which past yield data is available. ● Premium: The prescribed premium is 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all rabi crops. In the case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium is 5%. Premium cost over and above the farmer share was **equally subsidized** by States and GoI, except for NE states wherein GoI bore 90% of costs. ● The scheme was **compulsory for loanee farmers** availing Crop Loan/[**Kisan Credit Card**](https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kisan-credit-card-kcc-saturation-campaign) (KCC) account for notified crops and voluntary for others Objectives: 1. To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crops as a result of natural calamities, pests & diseases. 2. To stabilise the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming. 3. To encourage farmers to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices. 4. To ensure flow of credit to the agriculture sector. Coverage: The Scheme covers all Food & Oilseeds crops and Annual Commercial/Horticultural Crops for which past yield data is available and for which requisite number of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) are being conducted under General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES).

Answer 144

* Completely Voluntary: It has been decided to make enrolment 100% voluntary for all farmers from 2020 Kharif. * Limit to Central Subsidy: The Cabinet has decided to cap the Centre’s premium subsidy under these schemes for premium rates up to 30% for unirrigated areas/crops and 25% for irrigated areas/crops. * More Flexibility to States: 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 like prevented sowing, localised calamity, mid-season adversity, and post-harvest losses. * Penalising the Pendency: In the revamped PMFBY, a provision has been incorporated wherein if states don’t release their share before March 31 for the Kharif season and September 30 for rabi, they would not be allowed to participate in the scheme in subsequent seasons. * Investing in ICE Activities: Insurance companies have to now spend 0.5% of the total premium collected on information, education and communication (IEC) activities.

Answer 145

1. Till date, the scheme has insured over 30 crore farmer applications (5.5 crore farmer applications on year-on-year basis). 2. Over the period of 5 years, more than 8.3 crore farmer applications have benefited from the scheme. 3. Moreover, Rs.95,000 crores claims have been paid as against Rs. 20,000 crore farmers share. 4. Aadhar Linking (linking Aadhaar through Internet banking portals) has helped in speedy claim settlement directly into the farmer accounts. 5. One notable example is mid-season adversity claims of nearly Rs. 30 crore in **Rajasthan** during **Rabi 2019-20** [**Locust attack.**](https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/swarm-of-desert-locust)

Answer 146

● As part of the celebrations of PMFBY entering its 7th yr of implementation, the Govt. has launched a doorstep distribution drive to deliver crop insurance policies to the farmers ‘Meri Policy Mere Hath’ in all implementing States. ● The campaign aims to ensure all farmers are well aware and equipped with all information on their policies, land records, the process of claim and grievance redressal under PMFBY.

Answer 147

**North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR)** under **Saffron Bowl Project** has identified few locations in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya for saffron cultivation. * **NECTAR** is an **autonomous body under the DST** and in collaboration with the Botany and Horticulture departments of Sikkim Central University implemented a pilot project in Yangyang village of South Sikkim.

Answer 148

* It is a plant whose **dried stigmas (thread-like parts of the flower)** are used to make **saffron spice**. * Saffron cultivation is believed to have been introduced in **Kashmir by Central Asian immigrants** around the 1st Century BCE. * It represents the rich cultural heritage of the J&K region. * It is a very precious and costly product. * It is referred to as **‘bahukam’ in ancient Sanskrit literature**. * It is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa (highlands) of J&K. * Saffron production has long been **restricted to a limited geographical area** in the **Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.** * **Pampore region**, commonly known as **Saffron bowl of Kashmir**, is the main contributor to saffron production. * Pampore Saffron Heritage of Kashmir is one of the **Globally Important Agricultural Heritage systems (GIAHS)** recognised sites in India. * Recently, the **Kashmir saffron got Geographical Indication (GI) tag** status.

Answer 149

* It was **launched in 2010-11** but it was only applicable for the **cultivation of saffron in Jammu and Kashmir.** * In 2020, the Government has decided to revive this mission and expand the cultivation of saffron to the north eastern part of the country. * It comes under the governance of the Ministry of Science and Technology. * It was a **four-year mission (2010-14)** which was introduced to increase the **cultivation of saffron in Kashmir**. However, due to a heavy loss in production during 2014, the mission was given an **extension by the Government of India.** * In 2020, the revised objective of the mission was to **start the cultivation of saffron in the northeast of India.** * **North East Centre For Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR)** has been given the charge to manage the pilot project which will be started in the **northeast for saffron cultivation, under Project Saffron Bowl**

agriculture, food processing, PDS and Land reforms Flashcards

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