Weekly Current Affairs (8th to 14th August 2023) Part - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Land Restoration and Afforestation

Context: Recently, the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, shed light on the pivotal initiatives taken by India to combat land degradation and promote afforestation.

• The Nagar Van Yojana (Urban Forest Scheme), a progressive initiative the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has gained significant traction as its progress continues to illuminate India's commitment to creating vibrant urban green spaces.

What is Nagar Van Yojana( NVY)?

About:

• The NVY was introduced in the year 2020 with a visionary objective – the creation of 1000 Nagar Vans (urban forests) in cities equipped with Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Municipalities, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
• This ambitious initiative is designed to foster not only a holistic and healthy living environment for city residents but also to contribute significantly to the growth of cleaner, greener, and more sustainable urban centres.

Key Features:

• Creating green space and aesthetic environment in an urban set-up.
• Creating awareness about plants and biodiversity and developing environment stewardship.
• Facilitating in-situ conservation of important flora of the region.
• Contributing to environmental improvement of cities by pollution mitigation, providing cleaner air, noise reduction, water harvesting and reduction of heat islands effect.
• Extending health benefits to residents of the city and helping cities become climate resilient.

Progress and Impact of NVY:

• Since its inception, the NVY has gained remarkable momentum, with 385 projects sanctioned across the country.
• This impressive progress underscores India's dedication to transforming its cities into thriving, eco-conscious communities.

What are the Initiatives to Combat Land Degradation and Promote Afforestation?

Government Initiatives to Boost Forest Cover:

National Forest Policy (NFP) 1988:

• The NFP 1988 sets a national goal of achieving a minimum of one-third of the total land area under forest or tree cover.
• The aim is to maintain ecological balance, conserve natural heritage, and prevent soil erosion in river, lake, and reservoir catchment areas.

National Mission for a Green India (GIM):

• It is under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and aims to increase forest and tree cover, restore degraded ecosystems, and enhance biodiversity.

Forest Fire Protection & Management Scheme (FFPM):

• This scheme focuses on preventing and managing forest fires, contributing to the overall health of forests.

Compensatory Afforestation Fund:

• This approach involves utilizing funds collected for diverting forest land for non-forest purposes to undertake afforestation and reforestation projects, thus restoring forest cover.
• Utilized by States/UTs for compensatory afforestation to offset forest land diversion for developmental projects.
• 90% of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund money is to be given to the states while 10% is to be retained by the Centre.

National Coastal Mission Programme:

• Under the National Coastal Mission Programme on ‘Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs’, annual Management Action Plan (MAP) for conservation and management of mangroves are formulated and implemented in all the coastal States and Union Territories.

State Specific Initiatives:

Mission Haritha Haram:

• It is a flagship programme of the Telangana government to increase the green cover of the State from the present 25.16 to 33% of the total geographical area.

Green Wall:

• It is an initiative launched by the Haryana government to restore and protect the Aravalli range.
• It is an ambitious plan to create a 1,400km long and 5km wide green belt buffer around the Aravali Mountain range covering the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi.

Afforestation Achievements:

Twenty Point Programme Reporting:

• Over the period from 2011-12 to 2021-22, approximately 18.94 million hectares of land have been covered through afforestation efforts.
• These achievements result from concerted efforts by both the State Governments and central and state-specific schemes.

Multi-Sectoral Approach:

• Afforestation activities are undertaken collaboratively across various sectors, involving departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, and corporate entities. This multi-faceted approach ensures a holistic effort to combat land degradation.

Measures to Combat Land Degradation:

Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas:

• Published by the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation, this atlas provides critical data on the extent of land degradation and desertification in India. It helps in planning restoration efforts based on accurate information.

Centre of Excellence at ICFRE:

• The establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) in Dehradun promotes South-South Cooperation.
• It facilitates knowledge exchange, best practice sharing, and capacity building for sustainable land management.

Bonn Challenge Pledge:

• India committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030 as part of the voluntary Bonn Challenge. This global initiative focuses on restoring degraded lands for enhanced ecosystem services and biodiversity.

UNFCCC COP and UNCCD COP14:

• India's participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP14 demonstrates the country's commitment to global efforts in land restoration and combating desertification.

What are the Challenges Associated With Land Degradation and Afforestation?

Challenges Associated with Land Degradation:

Soil Erosion:

• Intense rain and wind remove topsoil, reducing soil fertility.
• Improper agricultural practices and deforestation contribute to erosion.
• Climate change disrupts soil health through shifting precipitation patterns and rising temperatures. Altered weather conditions, such as intense rainfall exceeding soil absorption capacity, accelerate erosion, causing runoff and degradation.

Desertification:

• Arid and semi-arid areas experience soil degradation and loss of vegetation cover.
• Overgrazing and unsustainable land use exacerbate desertification.

Industrialization and Urbanization:

• Urban expansion and industrial activities lead to soil sealing, impeding water infiltration and nutrient cycling.
• Pollution from industries can contaminate soil and water resources.

Land Pollution and Contamination:

• Improper disposal of waste and hazardous materials leads to soil contamination and reduced soil productivity.
• Landfills and improper waste management contribute to land degradation.

Challenges Associated with Afforestation:

Species Selection:

• Choosing suitable tree species that thrive in the local ecosystem.
• Invasive species may outcompete native vegetation.

Survival and Growth:

• Ensuring newly planted trees survive harsh conditions and grow successfully.
• Water availability, soil quality, and climate influence tree establishment.

Competing Land Uses:

• Conflicts arise when afforestation competes with agriculture, urbanization, or other land uses.
• Balancing conservation goals with economic activities is challenging.

Ecosystem Imbalance:

• Rapid afforestation without considering native species and ecosystems may disrupt natural balances.
• Planting monocultures can lead to biodiversity loss.

Community Participation:

• Engaging local communities in afforestation efforts is crucial for long-term success.
• Inadequate community involvement may lead to resistance or unsustainable practices.

Way Forward

Integrated Landscape Management:

• Develop holistic land-use plans integrating afforestation with other activities.
• Implement sustainable land management practices to prevent erosion and desertification.

Science-Based Species Selection and Agroforestry:

• Conduct research to select suitable tree species for local ecosystems.
• Promote agroforestry models for enhanced biodiversity and productivity.

Bio-Engineering Solutions:

• Harness bio-engineering techniques like soil bio-remediation and bio-fencing to restore land health and prevent erosion.

Traditional Ecological Wisdom:

• Collaborate with indigenous communities to revive traditional agroforestry practices, integrating local knowledge into modern restoration strategies.

Eco-Entrepreneurship:

• Encourage community-led afforestation enterprises, creating sustainable livelihoods and nurturing a sense of ownership.

Sustainable Financing Mechanisms:

• Mobilize funds from budgets, international sources, and public-private partnerships.
• Ensure transparent allocation for afforestation projects.

Monitoring, Research, and Innovation:

• Develop robust monitoring systems for progress and impact assessment.
• Invest in research and innovation for climate-resilient afforestation techniques.

Initiatives Under National Education Policy 2020

Context: Recently, the Minister of State for Education provided valuable insights into the initiatives taken up under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for the transformation of Education Sector in India during a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

What is NEP 2020?

About:

• The NEP 2020 aims at making “India a global knowledge superpower”. It is only the 3rd major revamp of the framework of education in India since independence.
• The two earlier education policies were brought in 1968 and 1986.

Salient Features:

• Ensuring Universal Access at All Levels of schooling from pre-primary school to Grade 12.
• Ensuring quality early childhood care and education for all children between 3-6 years.
• New Curricular and Pedagogical Structure (5+3+3+4) corresponds to the age groups of 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively.
  • It covers four stages of schooling: Foundational Stage (5 years), Preparatory Stage (3 years), Middle Stage (3 years), and Secondary Stage (4 years).
• No hard separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extra-curricular activities, between vocational and academic streams;
• Emphasis on promoting multilingualism and Indian languages
• Setting up of a new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development)
• A separate Gender Inclusion fund and Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups

What are the Major Initiatives Taken Under NEP 2020?

• PM Schools for Rising India (SHRI): PM-SHRI scheme aims to provide high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive, and joyful school environment.
  • It is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in September 2022 for upgradation and development of more than 14500 Schools across the country.
  • Rs. 630 crore has been allocated to upgrade schools under the PM SHRI initiative.
• NIPUN Bharat: The vision of National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy(NIPUN) Bharat Mission is to create an enabling environment to ensure the universal acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy, so that every child achieves the desired learning competencies in reading, writing, and numeracy by the end of Grade 3, by 2026-27.
• PM e-VIDYA: The initiative aimed to promote online education and digital learning by providing various e-learning platforms like DIKSHA and offering e-books and e-contents to students across the country.
• NCF FS and Jadui Pitara: Launch of National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF FS) and Jadui Pitara for play-based learning teaching material tailored for children between the age group of 3 to 8 years
• NISHTHA: The National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) is a capacity-building program for teachers and school principals in India.
• NDEAR: National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR), an architectural blueprint, that lays down a set of guiding principles and building blocks to enable the creation of digital technology-based applications pertaining to education.
• Academic Frameworks: Introduction of National Credit Framework (NCrF) and National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) to facilitate credit transfer and academic flexibility.
• Increased Investment in Education: The policy advocates for both the Central government and State Governments to allocate a combined 6% of GDP to education.
  • In alignment with this vision, the Ministry of Education has witnessed a budget of Rs. 1,12,899 crore in 2023-24, indicating a 13.68% increment from 2020-21.
• International Campuses and Partnerships: NEP 2020 supports Indian universities in establishing campuses abroad and inviting foreign institutions to operate in India.
  • Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed for the establishment of IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi, reflecting India's global educational outreach.

Educational Innovation in GIFT City:

• NEP 2020's innovative approach extends to Gujarat's GIFT City, where world-class foreign universities and institutions are permitted to offer specialized courses.
• This move, free from domestic regulations, aims to nurture high-end human resources for financial services and technology.

What are the Other Related Initiatives?

• World-Class Institutions Scheme: The World Class Institutions Scheme, initiated in 2017, aims to create affordable, top-notch academic and research facilities.
  • The scheme designates "Institutions of Eminence" (IoEs) to promote academic excellence.
  • To date, 12 institutions, including eight public and four private ones, have been identified as IoEs, a testament to India's commitment to providing world-class education.
• Global Initiative for Academic Network (GIAN) and SPARC: GIAN focuses on tapping the expertise of scientists and entrepreneurs, including those of Indian origin, to bolster India's academic resources.
  • The Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) enhances research ecosystems by fostering collaborations between Indian and foreign institutions.
  • These initiatives contribute to elevating research quality and promoting knowledge exchange.

Nurturing India's Cotton Sector

Context: Recently, the Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Textiles highlighted the significant strides taken to empower cotton farmers and promote the cotton sector.

What are the Indian Government Initiatives Related to the Development of the Cotton Sector?

Cotton Development Programme Under National Food Security Mission (NFSM):

• Implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in 15 major cotton-growing states: Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal from 2014-15.
• Aims to enhance cotton production and productivity in major cotton-growing states.
• Includes demonstrations, trials, distribution of plant protection chemicals, and training.

MSP Formula for Cotton:

• Introduced a formula of 1.5 times the cost of production (A2+FL) for Minimum Support Price (MSP) calculation.
• Ensures economic interest of cotton farmers and availability of cotton to the textile industry.
• Increases MSP rates to support farmers' income.
• For cotton season 2022-23, MSP of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) grade cotton had increased by about 6% which has further been increased by 9% to 10% for ensuing cotton season 2023-24.

Cotton Corporation of India (CCI):

• Appointed as a Central Nodal agency for MSP operations when Fair Average Quality grade seed cotton (kapas) fall below the MSP rates.
• Safeguards farmers from distress sales.

Branding and Traceability:

• Launched Kasturi Cotton to promote Indian cotton with a brand name.
• Aims to ensure quality, traceability, and branding of Indian cotton.

Large-Scale Demonstrations Project:

• Sanctioned by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare under NFSM.
• Focuses on best practices to enhance cotton productivity.
• Focus on innovative technologies, such as High Density Planting System (HDPS) and the value chain approach.
• Sanctioning of a project titled "Targeting technologies to agro-ecological zones-large scale demonstrations of best practices to enhance cotton productivity."

Textile Advisory Group (TAG):

• Constituted by the Ministry of Textiles to facilitate coordination among stakeholders in the cotton value chain.
• Addresses issues related to productivity, prices, branding, and more.

Cott-Ally Mobile App:

• Developed to provide farmers with knowledge through a user-friendly interface.

Key Features:

• MSP Rate Awareness.
• Nearest Procurement Centers.
• Payment Tracking.
• Best Farm Practices.

Committee on Cotton Promotion and Consumption (COCPC):

• Ensures availability of cotton to the textile industry.
• Monitors cotton scenario and advises the government on production and consumption matters.

What are the Key Facts about Cotton?

• Kharif Crop which requires 6 to 8 months to mature.
• Drought–resistant crop ideal for arid climates.
• Occupies 2.1% of the world’s arable land, meets 27% of the world’s textiles needs.
• Temperature: Between 21-30°C.
• Rainfall: Around 50-100cm.
• Soil Type: Well-drained black cotton soil (Regur Soil) (E.g. Soil of Deccan Plateau)
• Products: fibre, oil and animal feed.
• Top Cotton Producing Countries: India > China > USA
• Top Cotton Producing States in India: Gujarat > Maharashtra > Telangana > Rajasthan >Andhra Pradesh
• Four Cultivated Species of Cotton: Gossypium arboreum, G.herbaceum, G.hirsutum and G.barbadense.
  • Gossypium arboreum and G.herbaceum are known as old-world cotton or Asiatic cotton.
  • G.hirsutum is also known as American cotton or upland cotton and G.barbadense as Egyptian cotton. These are both new world cotton species.
• Hybrid Cotton: Cotton made by crossing two parent strains that have different genetic characters. Hybrids are often spontaneously and randomly created in nature when open-pollinated plants naturally cross-pollinate with other related varieties.
• Bt Cotton: It is a genetically modified pest-resistant variety of cotton.

Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

Context: Recently, The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India’s (CAG) performance audit report flagged irregularities in the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).

What are the Issues Highlighted By CAG?

Treatment of Dead Patients:

• The patients earlier shown as “dead” continued to avail treatment under the scheme.
• The maximum number of such cases were in Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand and minimum number of such cases were from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam and Chandigarh.
• 88,760 patients died during treatment specified under the Scheme. A total of 2,14,923 claims shown as paid in the system, related to fresh treatment in respect of these patients.

Unrealistic Household Sizes:

• There are instances where the registered household sizes were unrealistically large, ranging from 11 to 201 members.
• Such discrepancies suggest a lack of proper validation controls during the beneficiary registration process.

Pensioners Availing Benefits:

• Pensioners in certain states were found to possess PMJAY cards and were availing treatment under the scheme.
• Delayed actions to remove ineligible beneficiaries from the scheme led to ineligible individuals receiving benefits under the PMJAY.

Bogus Mobile Number and Aadhaar:

• It revealed that some beneficiaries were registered with a single bogus mobile number, potentially compromising the verification process.
• Similarly, some Aadhaar numbers were linked to multiple beneficiaries, raising questions about proper verification.

Systemic Failures:

• CAG's report unearthed systemic issues, including private hospitals performing public hospital-reserved procedures, infrastructural inadequacies, equipment shortages, and medical malpractice cases.
• Absence of adequate validation controls, invalid names, unrealistic date of birth, duplicate PMJAY IDs.
• In several States and UTs, the available equipment in empanelled hospitals were found to be non-functional.

Pending Penalties:

• The report flagged pending penalties of Rs 12.32 crore from 100 hospitals across nine states.

Issue of data collection in the Scheme:

• It is possible that some random ten-digit number was entered by the field level workers in some cases.
• Further, necessary changes have been made in the current IT portal used by the National Health Authority (NHA) to capture only valid mobile numbers, in case the same is possessed by the beneficiary.

What are the Clarifications Provided by the Government?

Mobile Numbers and Verification:

• The Ministry of Health clarified that mobile numbers were not used for beneficiary verification.
• The scheme primarily identifies beneficiaries through Aadhaar-based e-KYC, and the mobile numbers were used for communication and feedback purposes rather than for verification.

Authentication Options:

• NHA provided multiple options for beneficiary verification, including fingerprint, iris scan, face authentication, and OTP.
• Fingerprint-based authentication is commonly used and helps ensure the accuracy of beneficiary verification.

What is Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY?

About:

• PM-JAY is the world’s largest health insurance scheme fully financed by the government.
• Launched in February 2018, it offers a sum insured of Rs.5 lakh per family for secondary care and tertiary care.
• Health Benefit Packages covers surgery, medical and day care treatments, cost of medicines and diagnostics.

Beneficiaries:

• It is an entitlement-based scheme that targets the beneficiaries as identified by latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
• The National Health Authority (NHA) has provided flexibility to States/UTs to use non- Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) beneficiary family databases with similar socio-economic profiles for tagging against the leftover (unauthenticated) SECC families.

Funding:

• The funding for the scheme is shared – 60:40 for all states and UTs with their own legislature, 90:10 in Northeast states and Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand and 100% Central funding for UTs without legislature.

Nodal Agency:

• The National Health Authority (NHA) has been constituted as an autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860 for effective implementation of PM-JAY in alliance with state governments.
• The State Health Agency (SHA) is the apex body of the State Government responsible for the implementation of AB PM-JAY in the State.

Way Forward

• The PMJAY's irregularities demand corrective measures, including stringent beneficiary verification, hospital oversight, and a robust grievance redressal mechanism to ensure the scheme's intended effectiveness.

Interventions under National Food Security Mission

Context: Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare provided valuable insights into the developments under the National Food Security Mission during a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

What is the National Food Security Mission?

About:

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2007 based on the recommendations of the agriculture sub- committee of National Development Council (NDC).
• The committee pointed out the need for improved agricultural extension services, technology transfer and decentralized planning as a result of which NFSM was conceptualized as a mission mode program.

Thrust Areas:

• Sustainable increase in the production of targeted crops such as rice, wheat, pulses primarily and then extended to coarse cereals, nutri-cereals, and oilseeds as well.
• Restoration of soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level.
• Rise in farm level net income.

What are the Major Interventions Under the National Food Security Mission?

• Cluster Demonstrations and Improved Practices: Assistance is extended to farmers through States/Union Territories to conduct cluster demonstrations that showcase improved packages of agricultural practices.
  • These demonstrations highlight techniques for optimized crop cultivation and management.
• Seed Production and Distribution: High-yielding varieties and hybrids are developed, produced, and distributed to farmers to enhance the quality and quantity of agricultural output.
• Farm Mechanization and Resource Conservation: The implementation of modern and efficient farm machinery and resource conservation tools fosters enhanced agricultural practices while optimizing resource utilization.
  • Investments in processing and post-harvest equipment enhance the overall value chain and reduce post-harvest losses.
• Plant Protection and Nutrient Management: Measures to safeguard crops against pests and diseases, coupled with effective nutrient management and soil amelioration strategies, contribute to healthy plant growth.
• Focused Approach to Oilseeds Production: To bolster oilseed production and achieve self-sufficiency in edible oil, the NFSM-Oilseeds initiative is designed. It involves:
• Seed Subsidies and Distribution: Financial incentives and subsidies facilitate the purchase and distribution of quality seeds, ensuring better crop yields.
• Demonstrations and Training: Block demonstrations, front-line demonstrations, and cluster front-line demonstrations serve as platforms for showcasing effective oilseed cultivation practices.
• Infrastructure and Input Distribution: Provision of essential resources like water-carrying devices, plant protection equipment, soil enhancers, micro-nutrients, and bio-agents fortifies oilseed cultivation.

Note:

• National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP): To reduce edible oil imports led to the establishment of NMEO-OP in August 2021.
  • The mission emphasizes the expansion of oil palm cultivation, aiming to augment crude palm oil production, increase productivity, and ease the country's import burden.
• Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture:
  • Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): Launched in 2015-16, PDMC focuses on water use efficiency through micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation.
  • It also emphasizes the adoption of location-specific scientific techniques and modern agronomic practices.
• Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM): Part of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, CADWM aims to enhance irrigation efficiency.
  • It includes the construction of lined field channels and underground pipelines for last-mile connectivity.
• Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE): Established to regulate efficient water use in various sectors, the BWUE promotes strategies to improve water use efficiency in irrigation, industries, and domestic settings.
  • National Water Mission (NWM): NWM launched the 'SahiFasal'campaign in 2019, which encourages farmers in water-stressed regions to cultivate crops that are economically viable, water-efficient, and aligned with agro-climatic conditions.

What are the Major Challenges Related to Food Security in India?

• Agricultural Challenges: India's agricultural sector is vulnerable to various challenges such as unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change, pest infestations, and soil degradation.
  • These factors can lead to reduced crop yields and contribute to food scarcity.
• Land Fragmentation: Subdivision of land due to inheritance laws has led to small and fragmented land holdings.
  • This hampers the adoption of modern farming techniques and technologies that could increase productivity.
• Lack of Diversification: Over-reliance on a few staple crops limits dietary diversity. A diverse diet is essential for proper nutrition, and the emphasis on a few crops like rice and wheat can contribute to malnutrition.
• Rising Food Prices: Fluctuations in global and domestic food prices can make essential food items unaffordable for vulnerable populations.
  • Supply chain disruption led price volatility can lead to sudden spikes in food insecurity.

Way Forward

• Agro-Ecological Zoning: Create detailed agro-ecological zoning maps using advanced geospatial analysis.
  • This would help identify the most suitable crops for specific regions based on their natural characteristics, thus optimizing resource use and reducing the risk of crop failure.
• Edible Landscaping in Urban Areas: Encourage urban residents to convert their lawns and unused spaces into edible landscapes, growing fruits and vegetables.
  • This decentralized approach contributes to local food production and enhances community involvement.
• Nutrient Recovery from Wastewater: Implement systems to extract nutrients from wastewater and organic waste, then convert these nutrients into fertilizers.
  • This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and tackles water pollution simultaneously.
• Artificial Intelligence Pest Detection: Develop AI-powered cameras and sensors that can detect pest and disease outbreaks early by analyzing subtle changes in plant health, allowing for targeted interventions and reducing the need for widespread pesticide use.
  • Integrated Energy Farming: Combine agriculture with renewable energy production.
  • Solar panels can be placed above crops, providing shade and reducing water evaporation, while generating clean energy to power agricultural equipment.