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Subject: Agriculture

  • Turmeric Cultivation in India

    Turmeric (Curcuma longa), native to India, has been studied extensively for its effects against viral diseases in recent decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic has renewed interest.

    About Turmeric

    • Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is used as a condiment, dye, drug and cosmetic in addition to its use in religious ceremonies.
    • India is a leading producer and exporter of turmeric in the world.
    • The top five turmeric-producing states of India in 2020-21 are Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

    Climate and Soil

    • Turmeric can be grown in diverse tropical conditions from sea level to 1500 m above sea level.
    • It requires a temperature range of 20-35 C with an annual rainfall of 1500 mm or more, under rainfed or irrigated conditions.
    • Though it can be grown on different types of soils, it thrives best in well-drained sandy or clay loam soils with a pH range of 4.5-7.5 with good organic status.

    Varieties

    • A number of cultivars are available in the country and are known mostly by the name of locality where they are cultivated.
    • Some of the popular cultivars are Duggirala, Tekkurpet, Sugandham, Amalapuram, Erode local, Salem, Alleppey, Moovattupuzha and Lakdong.

    Preparation of land

    • The land is prepared with the receipt of early monsoon showers.
    • The soil is brought to a fine tilth by giving about four deep ploughings.
    • Planting is also done by forming ridges and furrows.

    Plantation

    • Whole or split mother and finger rhizomes are used for planting and well-developed healthy and disease-free rhizomes are to be selected.

    Why turmeric?

    • Post pandemic, turmeric is one of the fastest-growing dietary supplements.
    • The global curcumin market, valued at $58.4 million in 2019, is expected to witness a growth of 12.7 percent by 2027.
    • As the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric, India stands to gain from this.

    Global standing

    • India produces 78 per cent of the world’s turmeric.
    • The country’s turmeric production saw a near consistent growth since Independence till 2010-11 after which it started fluctuating.
    • The pandemic has given a boost to the crop, with the production witnessing a rise of 23 per cent.
    • Though the production and export of turmeric has risen, farmers have not benefitted from its pricing.

    Try this PYQ from CSP 2020:

    With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements:

    1. A substantial saving in seed material is made when ‘bud chip settlings are raised in a nursery and transplanted in the main field.
    2. When direct planting of setts is done, the germination percentage is better with single-budded setts as compared to setts with many buds.
    3. If bad weather conditions prevail when setts are directly planted, single-budded setts have better survival as compared to large setts.
    4. Sugarcane can be cultivated using settlings prepared from tissue culture.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 3 only

    (c) 1 and 4 only

    (d) 2,3 and 4 only

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”0ncc9i9l5p” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

     

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  • Farmer suicide

    The number of agricultural labourers who died by suicide in 2020 was 18% higher than the previous year, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report.

    Farmers suicide in 2020

    • In 2020, 5,098 of these agricultural labourers died by suicide, an 18% rise from the 4,324 who died last year.
    • Overall, 10,677 people engaged in the farm sector died by suicide in 2020, slightly higher than the 10,281 who died in 2019.
    • They made up 7% of all suicides in the country.
    • Most of these deaths were among those whose primary work and main source of income comes from labour activities in agriculture or horticulture.
    • However, among farmers who cultivate their own land, with or without the help of other workers, the number of suicides dropped 3.7% from 5,129 to 4,940.
    • Among tenant farmers who cultivate leased land, there was a 23% drop in suicides from 828 to 639.

    State-wise data

    • The worst among States continues to be Maharashtra, with 4,006 suicides in the farm sector, including a 15% increase in farm worker suicides.
    • Other States with a poor record include Karnataka (2016), Andhra Pradesh (889) and Madhya Pradesh (735).
    • Tamil Nadu also bucked the national trend; although the total number of farm suicides in the State was slightly higher.

    Why more suicides despite a boom?

    • The farm sector was one of the few bright spots in the Indian economy since a year.
    • It recorded growth on the back of a healthy monsoon and the continuation of agricultural activities during a lockdown that crippled other sectors.
    • Hence, suicides among landowning farmers dropped slightly during the pandemic year.
    • Landless agricultural labourers who did not benefit from income support schemes such as PM Kisan may have faced higher levels of distress during the pandemic.

    General causes of farmers suicides in India

    Suicide victims are motivated by more than one cause however the primer reason is the inability to repay loans.

    • Debt trap: Major causes reportedly are bankruptcy/indebtedness, problems in the families, crop failure, illness and alcohol/substance abuse.
    • Lack of credit: Low access to credit, irrigation and technology worsens their ability to make a comfortable living.
    • Responsibility burden: In other words, debt to stress and family responsibilities as reasons were significantly higher than fertilizers and crop failure.
    • Disguised unemployment: This remains high. Fragmentation of land holdings has left far too many farmers with farms that are too small to be remunerative.
    • Mental health: One of the major causes behind suicidal intent is depression. Farmers are often subjected to fear of boycott due to societal pressures.

     

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    Back2Basics: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

    • The NCRB is an Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analysing crime data as defined by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL).
    • It is headquartered in New Delhi and is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
    • It was set-up in 1986 to function as a repository of information on crime and criminals so as to assist the investigators in linking crime to the perpetrators.
    • It was set up based on the recommendation of the Task force, 1985 and National Police Commission, 197.
    • It merged the Directorate of Coordination and Police Computer (DCPC), Inter State Criminals Data Branch of CBI and Central Finger Print Bureau of CBI.

    Also read:

    [Burning Issue] Farmers’ suicide in India

     

  • Krishi UDAN 2.0 Scheme

    The Union Minister of Civil Aviation has launched Krishi UDAN 2.0.

    Krishi UDAN 2.0

    • The scheme proposes to facilitating and incentivizing movement of Agri-produce by air transportation.
    • It lays out the vision of improving value realization through better integration and optimization of Agri-harvesting and air transportation.
    • It works by contributing to Agri-value chain sustainability and resilience under different and dynamic conditions.
    • It will be implemented at 53 airports across the country mainly focusing on Northeast and tribal regions and is likely to benefit farmer, freight forwarders and Airlines.

    Key highlights of the scheme

    • Facilitating and incentivizing movement of Agri-produce by air transportation: Full waiver of Landing, Parking, TNLC and RNFC charges for Indian freighters and P2C at selected Airports. Primarily, focusing on NER, Hilly, and tribal regions.
    • Strengthening cargo-related infrastructure at airports and off airports: Facilitating the development of a hub and spoke model and a freight grid.
    • Concessions sought from other bodies: Seek support and encourage States to reduce Sales Tax to 1% on aviation fuels for freighters / P2C aircraft as extended in UDAN flights.
    • Resources-Pooling through establishing Convergence mechanism: Collaboration with other government departments and regulatory bodies.
    • Technological convergence: Development of E-KUSHAL (Krishi UDAN for Sustainable Holistic Agri-Logistics).

    What is E-KAUSHAL?

    • It is a platform to be developed to facilitate information dissemination to all the stakeholders.
    • This will be a single platform that will provide relevant information at the same time will also assist in coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the scheme.
    • Furthermore, integration of E-KUSHAL with the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is proposed.

    Airports under the scheme

    Proposed timeline Locations
    2021 – 2022 Agartala, Srinagar, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Hubballi, Imphal, Jorhat, Lilabari, Lucknow, Silchar, Tezpur, Tirupati, Tuticorin
    2022 – 2023 Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Jharsuguda, Kozhikode, Mysuru, Puducherry, Rajkot, Vijayawada
    2023 – 2024 Agra, Darbhanga, Gaya, Gwalior, Pakyong, Pantnagar, Shillong, Shimla, Udaipur, Vadodara
    2024 – 2025 Holangi, Salem

    7 focus routes & products

    Routes Products
    Amritsar – Dubai Babycorn
    Darbhanga – Rest of India Lichis
    Sikkim – Rest of India Organic produce
    Chennai, Vizag, Kolkata – Far East Seafood
    Agartala – Delhi & Dubai Pineapple
    Dibrugarh – Delhi & Dubai Mandarin & Oranges
    Guwahati  – Hong Kong Pulses, fruits & vegetables

     

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  • Nutritional security and climate-friendly agriculture for Punjab

    Context

    As per the latest Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of agricultural households conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO), an average Indian farmer earned Rs 10,218 per month in 2018-19 (July-June).

    SAS analysis: Variation across the states and cause of concern for Punjab

    • Across states, the highest income was received by a farming household in Meghalaya (Rs 29,348) followed by Punjab (Rs 26,701), Haryana (Rs 22,841), Arunachal Pradesh (19,225) and Jammu and Kashmir (Rs 18,918).
    • While the lowest income levels were in West Bengal (Rs 6,762), Odisha (Rs 5,112) and Jharkhand (Rs 4,895).
    • But this is not a fair comparison as holding sizes vary widely across states.
    • After normalising these incomes of agri-households by their holding sizes, as in the SAS, Punjab’s ranking on per hectare income falls from 2nd to 11th and Haryana goes down from 3rd to 15th (see figure).
    • The states that would do well on this score are Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
    • In these states, people earn their income from cultivating fruits and vegetables, spices, and livestock.
    • These are high value in nature, not linked to MSPs, and market and demand-driven.
    • As per the SAS, the average operated area per holding for Punjab is 1.44 ha (we have used that in the figure), but the Census gives a much higher value of 3.62 ha of average operational holding.
    •  If we normalise incomes of agri-households using Census values of average holding sizes, Punjab’s rank would go further down to 21st (household monthly income Rs 7,376) out of 28 states.

    How can farmers in Punjab and Haryana augment their incomes with more sustainable agriculture?

    1) Swith from paddy to maize

    • Punjab’s former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had approached the Centre with an idea to create a fund of around Rs 25,000 crore to help farmers switch from paddy to maize.
    • The Centre should give this idea a serious thought with the following modifications:
    • One, the fund should be under a five-year plan to shift at least a million hectares of paddy area (out of a total of 3.1 million hectares of paddy area in Punjab) to maize.
    • Two, the corpus should have equal contributions from the Centre and state.
    • Three, since Punjab wants that farmers be given MSP for maize, an agency, the Maize Corporation of Punjab (MCP), should be created to buy maize from farmers at MSP.
    • Four, this agency should enter into contracts with ethanol companies, and much of this maize can be used to produce ethanol as the poultry and starch industries will not be able to absorb this surplus in maize once a million hectares of paddy area shifts to maize.
    • Fifth, maize productivity must be as competitive as that of paddy in Punjab and the best seeds should be used for that purpose.
    • This is to ensure that ethanol from maize is produced in a globally competitive manner.
    • The GoI’s policy for 20 per cent blending of ethanol in petrol should come in handy for this purpose.

    2) Diversification

    • Other parts of the diversification strategy have to be along the lines of increasing the area under fruits and vegetables, and a more focused policy to build efficient value chains in not just fruits and vegetables but also livestock and fisheries.
    • They are more nutritious and the SAS data shows that their profitability is much higher in these enterprises than in crop cultivation, especially cereals.
    • The sector needs to be backed by proper processing, grading and packaging infrastructure to tap its full potential.

    Benefits of switching to maize from paddy

    • Punjab will arrest its depleting water table as maize needs less than one-fifth the water that paddy does for irrigation.
    • Also, Punjab will save much on the power subsidy to agriculture, which was budgeted at Rs 8,275 crore in the FY2020-21 budget, as paddy irrigation consumes much of the power subsidy.
    • This saving subsidy resulting from the switch from paddy to maize can be used to fund a part of the state’s contribution to the Maize Corporation of Punjab.
    • This could result in a win-win situation for all — farmers, the Government of Punjab and the country — as there will be lesser methane emissions and less stubble burning.
    • Moreover, ethanol will also reduce GHG emissions in vehicular pollution.

    Consider the question “Switching from paddy cultivation to maize can help the Punjab farmers deal with the several issues. In light of this, explain the issues with paddy cultivation and suggest the way forward.”

    Conclusion

    Their income on a per hectare basis needs to increase more sustainably, protecting the state’s land, water and air from further degradation, and producing more nutritious food. Punjab can then shine again on the nutritional security front with sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.

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  • Global Agricultural Productivity Report, 2021

    Global agricultural productivity (GAP) is not growing as fast as the demand for food, amid the impact of climate change, according to a new report.

    GAP Report

    • The GAP Report is released by Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
    • It urges the acceleration of productivity growth from smallholders to large-scale farmers to meet consumers’ needs and address current and future threats to human and environmental well-being.

    Key indicator: Total factor productivity (TFP)

    • In agriculture, productivity is measured as Total Factor Productivity or TFP.
    • An increase in TFP growth indicates that more crops, livestock, and aquaculture products were produced with the same amount (or less) land, labor, fertilizer, machinery, feed, and livestock.
    • TFP grows when producers increase output using improved technologies and practices, such as advanced seed varieties, precision mechanization, efficient nutrient and water management techniques, and improved animal care practices.
    • Using agricultural inputs efficiently to generate more output reduces agriculture’s environmental impact and lowers costs for producers and consumers.

    Highlights of the report

    • Total factor productivity (TFP) is growing at an annual rate of 1.36 per cent (2020-2019).
    • This is below the annual target of 1.73 per cent growth to sustainably meet the needs of consumers for food and bioenergy in 2050.
    • Climate change has already reduced productivity growth globally by 21 per cent since 1961, the report said.
    • In the drier regions of Africa and Latin America, climate change has slowed productivity growth by as much as 34 per cent.
    • The report noted that middle-income countries including India, China, Brazil and erstwhile Soviet republics continued to have strong TFP growth rates.

    Agricultural productivity in India

    • India has seen strong TFP and output growth this century.
    • The most recent data shows an average annual TFP growth rate of 2.81 per cent and output growth of 3.17 per cent (2010–2019).

    Key recommendations

    • The report urged accelerating investments in agricultural R&D to increase and preserve productivity gains, especially for small farmers.
    • It identified six strategies and policies that would create sustainable agricultural growth at all scales of production:
    1. Invest in agricultural research and development
    2. Embrace science-and-information-based technologies
    3. Improve infrastructure for transportation, information and finance
    4. Cultivate partnerships for sustainable agriculture, economic growth and improved nutrition
    5. Expand and improve local, regional and global trade
    6. Reduce post-harvest loss and food waste

     

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  • EU food recalled over alleged GM rice exports from India

    The European Union has recalled some packaged food items which were made up of Indian GMO.

    GM crops in India

    The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under Environment Ministry oversees the approval of GM Crops in India.

    • Bt cotton: It is the only GM crop that has been approved for commercial cultivation in 2002.
    • Bt Brinjal: Resistant to brinjal shoot fly, it was approved by GEAC in 2009. However due to 10 years moratorium imposed on GM crops by the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) appointed by the Supreme Court of India, its commercialization has stalled.
    • GM Dhara Mustard Hybrid 11: DMH 11 developed by Delhi University is pending for commercial release as GEAC has advised to generate complete safety assessment.

    However, unauthorized HtBt Cotton and Bt Brinjal are being grown commercially, with hundreds of growers blatantly defying the governmental ban.

    What about GM Rice?

    • GM rice is not grown commercially in India.
    • However, multiple GM rice varieties have been approved for confined field trials.
    • There seems a possibility of cross-contamination from such field trials directly or through seed leakages.

    India’s rice exports

    • India’s annual rice exports amount to 18 million tonnes worth ₹65,000 crore, and reach more than 75 countries.

    What is the EU move?

    • A European candy has recalled several batches of its product from the market due to the use of rice flour with genetically modified (GM) contamination that allegedly originated in India.
    • The EU notification has identified the product as ‘Unauthorised genetically modified (p35S and tNos) rice flour from India’.

    Impact of the EU move

    • This has led to the loss of reputation of India and its agricultural market.
    • With such a move by the EU, it is Indian farmers and exporters who have much to lose.

    Threats posed by GM crops

    • It is believed that consumption of genetically engineered foods can cause the development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics.
    • Besides, as these foods are new inventions, not much is known about their long term effects on human beings.
    • Genetically modified rice may potentially cause serious public health and environmental problems.
    • Two major issues about GM rice are their tendencies to provoke allergic reactions and the uncertainty of gene transfers.

    What can be done to reverse this?

    • Ban on field trials of GM crops
    • Slapping liability for illegal release of GMOs into the environment on developers
    • Probe to identify the source of the GM rice contamination

    Try answering this PYQ:

    With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements:

    1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
    2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.
    3. GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”zieaak7yfu” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • Improving livestock breeding

    Context

    The revised version of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and National Livestock Mission (NLM) proposes to bring focus on entrepreneurship development and breed improvement in cattle, buffalo, poultry, sheep, goat, and piggery.

    Livestock breeding and challenges

    • Unorganised in nature: Livestock breeding in India has been largely unorganised.
    • Lack of linkages: Because of this unorganised nature there have been gaps in forward and backward integration across the value chain.
    • Impact on quality: The above scenario impacts the quality of livestock that is produced and in turn negatively impacts the return on investment for livestock farmers.
    • Roughly 80% bovines in the country are low on productivity and are reared by small and marginal farmers.

    Entrepreneurship development through NLM and Rashtriya Gokul Mission

    • The revised version of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and National Livestock Mission (NLM) proposes to bring focus on entrepreneurship development.
    • Breed improvement infrastructure: It seeks to provide incentives to individual entrepreneurs, farmer producer organisations, farmer cooperatives, joint liability groups, self-help groups, Section 8 companies for entrepreneurship development and State governments for breed improvement infrastructure.
    • The breed multiplication farm component of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission is going to provide for capital subsidy up to ₹200 lakh for setting up breeding farm with at least 200 milch cows/ buffalo using latest breeding technology. 
    •  Moreover, the strategy of incentivising breed multiplication farm will result in the employment of 1 lakh farmers.
    • The grassroots initiatives in this sphere will be further amplified by web applications like e-Gopala that provide real-time information to livestock farmers.
    • Poultry: The poultry entrepreneurship programme of the NLM will provide for capital subsidy up to ₹25 lakh for the setting up of a parent farm with a capacity to rear 1,000 chicks.
    • Under this model, the rural entrepreneur running the hatchery will be supplying chicks to the farmers.
    • This is expected to provide employment to at least 14 lakh people.
    • Sheep and goat entrepreneurship: In the context of sheep and goat entrepreneurship, there is a provision of capital subsidy of 50% up to 50 lakh.
    • An entrepreneur under this model shall set up a breeder farm, develop the whole chain will eventually sell the animals to the farmers or in the open market.
    • This model is projected to generate a net profit of more than ₹33 lakh for the entrepreneur per year.
    • Piggery: For piggery, the NLM will provide 50% capital subsidy of up to ₹30 lakh.
    •  Each entrepreneur will be aided with establishment of breeder farms with 100 sows and 10 boars, expected to produce 2,400 piglets in a year.
    • This model is expected to generate a profit of ₹1.37 crore after 16 months and 1.5 lakh jobs.

    Conclusion

    The revised scheme of NLM coupled with the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund has the potential to dramatically enhance the productivity and traceability standards of our livestock.

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  • Agri-food systems need a transformative change

    Context

    There is an urgent need for reorientation of the long-term direction of agri-food systems to not only enhance farm incomes but also ensure better access to safe and nutritious foods.

    Challenge of malnutrition in India

    • The findings from the first round of the Fifth National Family Health Survey suggest that nutrition-related indicators have worsened in most States.
    • In addition, findings from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2016-18) have highlighted the role of micro-nutrient malnutrition.
    • Pathways for nutritional security consist of improving dietary diversity, kitchen gardens, reducing post-harvest losses, making safety net programmes more nutrition-sensitive, women’s empowerment, enforcement of standards and regulations, improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, nutrition education, and effective use of digital technology.

    Agri-food system: Significance and challenges it faces

    • The agri-food systems are the most important part of the Indian economy.
    • India produces sufficient food, feed and fibre to sustain about 18% of the world’s population (as of 2020). Agriculture contributes about 16.5% to India’s GDP and employs 42.3% of the workforce (2019-20).
    • A sustainable agri-food system is one in which a variety of sufficient, nutritious and safe foods are made available at an affordable price to everyone, and nobody goes hungry or suffers from any form of malnutrition.
    • However, the country’s agri-food systems are facing new and unprecedented challenges, especially related to economic and ecological sustainability, nutrition and the adoption of new agricultural technologies.
    • The edifice of India’s biosecurity remains vulnerable to disasters and extreme events.

    Way forward: Reorienting agri-food systems

    • There is an urgent need for reorientation of the long-term direction of agri-food systems to not only enhance farm incomes but also ensure better access to safe and nutritious foods.
    • Additionally, the agri-food systems need to be reoriented to minimise cost on the environment and the climate.
    • This need is recognised by the theme of World Food Day 2021: ‘Our actions are our future. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life’.
    • FAO’s support for the transformation of agri-food systems is rooted in agro-ecology.
    • The more diverse an agricultural system, the greater its ability to adapt to shocks.
    • Different combinations of integrated crop-livestock-forestry-fishery systems can help farmers produce a variety of products in the same area, at the same time or in rotation.
    • In January this year, FAO in collaboration with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Agriculture convened a National Dialogue to evolve a framework for the transition to a more sustainable agri-food systems by 2030 and identify pathways for enhancing farmers’ income and achieving nutritional security.

    Consider the question “What are the challenges facing agri-food systems in India? Suggest the pathways to transform the agri-food system to enhance farm income and ensure food and nutrition security.”

    Conclusion

    Food systems can help combat environmental degradation or climate change. Sustainable agri-food systems can deliver food security and nutrition for all, without compromising the economic, social and environmental bases.

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  • [pib] Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) for P&K Fertilizers

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for fixation of Nutrient Based Subsidy Rates for P&K Fertilizers for the year last quarter of the year 2021-22.

    An aspirant from rural agrarian background is quite habitual to hear about NPK 10-26-26, 20-20-0-13 & 12-32-16. They often get to find the plastic gunny bags mentioning this!

    Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS)

    • The NBS Scheme for fertilizer was initiated in the year 2010 and is being implemented by the Department of Fertilizers.
    • Under the scheme, a fixed amount of subsidy decided on an annual basis is provided on each grade of subsidized P&K fertilizers, except for Urea based on the nutrient content present in them.
    • It is largely for secondary nutrients like N, P, S and K and micronutrients which are very important for crop growth and development.
    • In India, urea is the only controlled fertilizer and is sold at a statutory notified uniform sale price.

    What is NPK?

    • So now that you know what the numbers on fertilizer mean, you need to know why NPK is important to your plants.
    • All plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to grow. Without enough of any one of these nutrients, a plant will fail.
    1. Nitrogen (N): It is largely responsible for the growth of leaves on the plant.
    2. Phosphorus (P): It is largely responsible for root growth and flower and fruit development.
    3. Potassium (K): It is a nutrient that helps the overall functions of the plant perform correctly.
    • Knowing the NPK values of fertilizer can help you select one that is appropriate for the type of plant you are growing.

    What NBS provides?

    • Fixing MRP of NPK fertilizers: The scheme allows the manufacturers, marketers, and importers to fix the MRP of the Phosphatic and Potash fertilizers at reasonable levels.
    • Maintaining stock level: The MRP will be decided considering the domestic and international prices of P&K fertilizers, inventory level in the country and the exchange rates.
    • Inflation control: The NBS ensures that an adequate quantity of P&K is made available to the farmers at a statutory controlled price.

    Issues with NBS

    • Leaves urea: Urea which the most widely used, is left-out in the scheme and hence it remains under price control as NBS has been implemented only in other fertilizers.
    • Cost on exchequer: Fertilizer subsidy is the second-biggest subsidy after food subsidy.
    • Costs on Economy and Environment: The NBS policy is not only damaging the fiscal health of the economy but also proving detrimental to the soil health of the country.
    • Black marketing: Subsidised fertilizers is getting diverted to bulk buyers/traders or even non-agricultural users such as plywood and animal feed makers.

    Back2Basics: Soil Health Card (SHC)

    • Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme is promoted by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
    • An SHC is meant to give each farmer soil nutrient status of his/her holding and advice him/her on the dosage of fertilizers and also the needed soil amendments, that s/he should apply to maintain soil health in the long run.
    • SHC is a printed report that a farmer will be handed over for each of his holdings.
    • It will be made available once in a cycle of 2 years, which will indicate the status of soil health of a farmer’s holding for that particular period.
    • The SHC given in the next cycle of 2 years will be able to record the changes in the soil health for that subsequent period.

    Parameters of SHC:

    • N, P, K (Macro-nutrients)
    • Sulfur (S) (Secondary- nutrient)
    • Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo (Micronutrients)
    • pH, EC (Electrical conductivity) , OC (Organic content)

    Try this PYQ:

    The nation-wide ‘Soil Health Card Scheme’ aims at:

    1. expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
    2. enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.
    3. checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 3 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

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  • What is Palk Bay Scheme?

    The Union Government is considering increasing the unit cost of deep-sea fishing vessels under the Palk Bay scheme to make it more attractive to fisherfolk.

    Palk Bay Scheme

    • The Palk Bay Scheme is the official scheme for diversification of trawl fishing boats from Palk Strait into deep sea fishing boats.
    • It is aimed at encouraging fishermen to take up deep-sea fishing and put an end to disputes arising between the India and Sri Lanka.
    • The project helps fishermen in the Palk Straits, who are not exposed to deep-sea fishing, to venture deep into the Indian Ocean, Arabian sea and other deep-sea areas to look for fish like tuna that are in high demand.

    Why need such a scheme?

    • Bottom trawling, an ecologically destructive practice, involves trawlers dragging weighted nets along the sea-floor, causing great depletion of aquatic resources.

    Key components of the scheme

    • The project aims to replace all trawler boats and introduce over 2,000 deep sea fishing boats in a course of five years.
    • The scheme, under the aegis of Blue Revolution scheme – is funded by the Centre – 50 per cent and state government – 20 per cent for a boat costing Rs 80 lakh.
    • Of the balance 30 per cent, 10 per cent is contributed by the beneficiary (fisherman), and the remaining 20 per cent is funded by banks.

    Must read:

    [Burning Issue] India- Sri Lanka Fishermen Issues

     

     

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