PIB Summary- 31st May, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

AmbiTAG

Context: IIT Ropar develops “AmbiTAG”.
What is AmbiTAG?

• AmbiTAG is India’s first indigenous temperature data logger for cold chain management.
• It is an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device that records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products, vaccines and even body organs and blood.
• That recorded temperature further helps to know whether that particular item transported from anywhere in the world is still usable or perished because of temperature variation.
• This information is particularly critical for vaccines including Covid-19 vaccine, organs and blood transportation.
• Shaped as USB device, AmbiTag continuously records the temperature of its immediate surroundings “from -40 to +80 degrees in any time zone for a full 90 days on a single charge.
  • It is to be noted that most of the similar devices available in the international market record data only for a duration of 30 – 60 days.
• The device generates an alert when the temperature goes beyond a pre-set limit.
• This is significant because currently, such devices are being imported from Singapore, Hong Kong, Ireland, and China.
• The device has been developed under Technology Innovation Hub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) and its Startup ScratchNest. AWaDH is a Govt of India project.

Horticulture Cluster Development Programme

Context: Union Agriculture Minister launched Horticulture Cluster Development Programme.
About the Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP)

• The programme has been launched with an aim to ensure the holistic growth of horticulture.
• The pilot phase will be implemented in 12 horticulture clusters out of the total 53 clusters selected for the programme.
• The CDP will be implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• It is a central sector programme.
• The major goal is growing and developing identified horticulture clusters to make them globally competitive.
• The programme will address all major issues related to the Indian horticulture sector including pre-production, production, post-harvest management, logistics, marketing and branding.
• The programme is designed to leverage geographical specialisation and promote integrated and market-led development of horticulture clusters.
• The clusters selected for the pilot will be implemented through Cluster Development Agencies (CDAs) which are appointed on the recommendations of the respective State/UT Government.