PIB Summary- 25th July, 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Transforming Agriculture: Government's Holistic Strategy for Productivity and Resilience

Context

The Indian government has introduced strategies to boost agricultural productivity and resilience.

It focuses on natural farming, self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds, high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties, Digital Public Infrastructure in agriculture, and strengthening the shrimp industry.

These efforts aim to modernise agriculture and ensure sustainable sector growth.

Natural Farming Initiative:

• Objective: Train 1 crore farmers in natural farming to boost sustainability and productivity while enabling access to premium markets.
• Definition: Natural Farming is a chemical-free, livestock-based farming system that integrates crops, trees, and livestock. It aims to enhance farmers’ income, restore soil fertility, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Implementation: Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) promotes indigenous practices with an allocation of Rs 4645.69 crore for 2019-20 to 2024-25.

Self-Sufficiency in Pulses and Oilseeds:

• National Food Security Mission – Oilseeds (NFSM-OS): Aims to increase oilseed production and reduce import dependency. Oilseed production reached 41.4 million tonnes in 2022-23, reducing the share of imported edible oil.
• Minimum Support Price (MSP): Increased MSPs for pulses and oilseeds for 2024-25 to ensure economic viability and sustainability for farmers.

High-Yielding and Climate-Resilient Varieties:

• Initiative: Introduction of 109 new high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties across 32 crops.
• Achievements: From 2014-15 to 2023-24, 2593 high-yielding varieties, including 2177 climate-resilient varieties, were released. Deployment of these technologies has led to increased production even during adverse conditions.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Agriculture:

• Objective: Enhance agricultural efficiency through digital technology. Initial phase includes a digital crop survey in 400 districts to collect data on crop patterns, land use, and yields.
• Impact: Aims to improve precision in planning and implementing agricultural strategies, including subsidy distribution and disaster management.

Jan Samarth Initiative: Kisan Credit Cards (KCC):

• Objective: Simplify access to credit for farmers through Kisan Credit Cards. As of January 31, 2024, 7.5 crore KCCs have been issued with a limit of ₹9.4 lakh crores.
• Extension: KCCs were extended to support fisheries and animal husbandry, with limits increased for collateral-free loans.

Strengthening Shrimp Industry:

• Objective: Enhance shrimp breeding and financial support through NABARD. The establishment of Nucleus Breeding Centres (NBCs) will improve the quality and productivity of shrimp brood stocks.
• Impact: India is a major shrimp producer and exporter, with shrimp exports growing to Rs 40,013 crore in 2023-24.

Conclusion:

• The Indian government’s strategy to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience includes natural farming, self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds, development of climate-resilient crop varieties, implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure, and support for the shrimp industry.
• These initiatives aim to modernise agriculture and ensure sustainable growth across the sector.

National Cooperative Policy

Context

The Indian government is finalising a New National Cooperation Policy, guided by a 48-member committee chaired by Shri Suresh Prabhu.

This includes establishing District Central Cooperative Banks and multipurpose cooperative societies in all districts.

The plan aims to strengthen cooperatives through various government schemes and improve grassroots coverage.

Formation of the National Level Committee

• A 48-member National Level Committee, chaired by Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, was established to formulate the New National Cooperation Policy.
• The committee includes experts from the cooperative sector, representatives from various levels of cooperative societies, and officers from Central Ministries and Departments.
• The committee held 17 meetings and 4 regional workshops across the country to gather suggestions and recommendations.

Draft Report and Finalization

• The draft report on the New National Cooperation Policy, prepared by the National Level Committee, has been received and is currently under finalisation.

Role of State-Level Cooperative Societies

• State-level cooperative societies, registered under respective State cooperative acts, fall under the jurisdiction of State Governments.
• The Ministry of Cooperation collaborates with State Governments to promote the development of the cooperative sector, reflecting the spirit of cooperative federalism.

Initiatives for Strengthening Cooperative Banks and Milk Producers’ Unions

• The Ministry of Cooperation aims to establish a viable District Central Cooperative Bank (DCCB) and a district milk producers’ union in every district across the country.
• The Ministry has requested NABARD to develop a scheme or action plan for opening new DCCBs in uncovered districts to ensure comprehensive coverage of cooperative banks.

Government Plan for Strengthening the Cooperative Movement

• On February 15, 2023, the government approved a plan to strengthen the cooperative movement and extend its reach to the grassroots level.
• The plan includes the establishment of new multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) or primary dairy and fishery cooperative societies in uncovered Panchayats and villages over the next five years.
• This initiative will involve the convergence of various Government of India schemes, such as the Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Fund (FIDF).

LAUNCH OF ‘TRIPUT’

Context

The Indian Navy’s Triput class of Advanced Frigates, being constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited, features advanced weaponry and stealth capabilities.

Launched on July 23, 2024, these ships are 124.8 metres long, 15.2 metres wide, and displace about 3600 tons.

Built under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, they emphasise indigenous production and technology.

Analysis of the news:

• The first of two Advanced Frigates, named Triput, was launched on 23 July 2024 at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
• Triput is named after the mighty arrow, symbolising the Indian Navy’s strength and reach.
• The contract for these frigates was signed between the Ministry of Defence and GSL on 25 January 2019.
• The Triput class ships are designed for combat against enemy surface ships, submarines, and aircraft.
• Specifications include a length of 124.8 metres, width of 15.2 metres, draught of 4.5 metres, and displacement of approximately 3600 tons, with a top speed of 28 knots.
• Equipped with stealth features, advanced weapons, sensors, and platform management systems.
• These frigates are constructed indigenously by GSL and align with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, emphasising the use of domestic equipment and generating local employment.