26 December 2018: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

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Year-End Review 2018 Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare

Doubling Of Farmers Income:

The Government has set a target of doubling of farmers’ income by the year 2022. The Government has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee to examine issues relating to doubling of farmers’ income and recommend a strategy to achieve doubling of farmers’ income in real terms by the year 2022.  The committee has identified seven sources of income growth-

1. Improvement in crop and livestock productivity
2. Resource use efficiency
3. Increase in the cropping intensity
4. Diversification towards high-value crops
5. Improvement in real prices received by farmers
6. Shift from farm to non-farm occupations.
7. Savings in the cost of production

Initiatives Taken By The Government

• Initiating market reforms through the State Governments by amending the agriculture marketing regime.
• Encouraging contract farming through the State Governments by promulgating of the Model Contract Farming Act.
• 22,000 Gramin Haats are to be upgraded to work as centres of aggregation and for direct purchase of agricultural commodities from the farmers.
• Launch of eNAM initiative to provide farmers with an electronic online trading platform.
• Implementation of the flagship scheme of distribution of Soil Health Cards to farmers so that the use of fertilizers can be optimized.
• “Per drop more crop” initiative under which drip/sprinkler irrigation is being encouraged for optimal utilization of water.
• “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)” under which organic farming is being promoted.  North East is being developed as an organic hub.
• A revised farmer-friendly “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)” have been launched. The scheme covers various types of risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest and the farmers have to pay a very nominal premium.
• Under “Har Medh Par Ped”, agroforestry is being promoted for supplementing farm income, increase risk management and climate-resilient agriculture as an important component of Integrated Farming Systems
• The Indian Forest Act, 1927 was amended to exclude bamboo from the definition of ‘trees’. Henceforth bamboo grown outside forest area will not be regulated under the provisions of felling and transit rules. As a corollary, the restructured National Bamboo Mission was launched for the development of the value chain of bamboo as a measure to strengthen rural economy by linking the producer (farmer) to markets (industry).
• Launch of PM-Asha scheme which will ensure MSP to farmers for oilseeds, pulses and copra.
• Minimum Support Price (MSP) is notified by the Government for certain crops. Giving a major boost for the farmer’s income, the Government has approved the increase in the MSPs for all Kharif & Rabi crops for 2018-19 season at a level of at least 150 per cent of the cost of production.
• Beekeeping has been promoted under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to increase the productivity of crops through pollination and increase honey production as an additional source of income of farmers.
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission has been implemented to enhance milk production and productivity of bovines and to make milk production more remunerative to the farmers.
• National Livestock Mission has been implemented to increase productivity and genetic improvement of livestock.
• Foreseeing high potential in the fisheries sector, a Blue Revolution with multidimensional activities mainly focusing on fisheries production, both inland and marine is being implemented.
• The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), one of the eight Missions under the PM’s National Action Plan on Climate Change is anchored in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

National Food Security Mission

NFSM programme is being implemented in 638 districts of 29 states of the country for increasing the production and productivity of food grain crops (rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals & Nutri-cereals) through area expansion and productivity enhancement, restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level and enhancing farm level economy to restore confidence amongst the farmers.

Krishi Unnati Mela

A National level 3^rd Krishi Unnati Mela was organized and the objective of the meal was to create widespread awareness about the latest agricultural technological developments and receive feedback from the agricultural community, which helps in designing and shaping the Institute’s future research strategy.

Mahila Kisan Diwas

Mahila Kisan Diwas was organised and the focus of the event was to learn and address issues and constraints related to women farmers in Agriculture; Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and other off-farm activities and their access to institutional credit and micro-financing and building agri-enterprises.

RKVY-RAFTAAR

The government recently approved Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana to be continued as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) for the next three years, i.e, 2017-18 to 2019-2020. RKVY Raftaar has the objective of making farming a remunerative economic activity through strengthening the farmers’ effort, risk mitigation and promoting agribusiness entrepreneurship. RKVY-RAFTAAR funds would be provided to the States as 60:40 grants between Centre and States while 90:10 for North Eastern and the Himalayan States through various means.

Soil Health Card Scheme

Soil Health Card Scheme is under implementation in the country since February 2015 to provide Soil Health Card to all farmers in the country.  Soil Health Card will provide information to farmers on soil nutrient status of their soil and recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrient to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility. A soil Health card will be issued every 2 years for all landholdings in the country.

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)

• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched a Central Sector Scheme entitled “Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region” for implementation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura
• The scheme aims at the development of certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of entire value chain starting from inputs, seeds, certification and creation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing and brand building initiative

Micro Irrigation Fund

• In order to achieve the objective of enhancing water use efficiency in the agriculture sector and bring about desired growth, Finance Minister announced in the Union Budget for 2017-18 setting up of a dedicated fund in NABARD titled “Micro Irrigation Fund”
• The main objective of the fund is to facilitate the States in mobilizing the resources for expanding coverage of Micro Irrigation by taking up special and innovative projects and also for incentivizing micro irrigation beyond the provisions available under Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to encourage farmers to install micro-irrigation systems.

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)  

• PM-AASHA will provide MSP assurance to farmers: A reflection of Government’s commitment to the “Annadata”
• The Scheme is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce as announced in the Union Budget for 2018.

Year-End Review-2018: Ministry of Tourism

DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE:

• Development of tourism infrastructure is being given priority to provide a better tourism experience to the tourists. Theme based circuits are being developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme spanning the entire country.
• Nine projects under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme have been inaugurated between August to December 2018 in the States of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Facilities like Tourist Facilitation Centers, Eco Log Huts, Sound and Light Show, Helipads, Cafeteria, Wayside Amenities, Nature Trails, Jetties, Boat club, Adventure Zones, Interpretation Centers, Water Sports, Craft Villages, Tribal Thematic Villages, Illumination etc. have been developed as part of the above projects
• Integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations is being undertaken under the ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) Scheme.

‘ADOPT A HERITAGE’ PROJECT:

• Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched “Adopt a Heritage Project” to provide world-class tourist facilities at the various natural/cultural heritage sites, monuments and other tourist sites
• The project plans to entrust heritage sites/monuments and other tourist sites to private sector companies, public sector companies and individuals for the development of various tourist amenities.

BHARAT PARV:

• The prime objective of organizing the event is to generate a patriotic mood, promote the rich cultural diversity of the country, to ensure wider participation of the general public and to popularize the concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ and ‘Tourism for All’

INDIA TOURISM MART 2018:

• The First Edition of the India Tourism Mart 2018 was organized by the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and State Governments/Union Territory Administrations
• India Tourism Mart provided a platform to different tourism stakeholders for interacting and conducting business with foreign buyers.

INCREDIBLE INDIA MOBILE APP:

• The Incredible India Mobile App showcases India as a holistic destination, revolving around major experiences, such as spirituality, heritage, adventure, culture, yoga, wellness and more.
• The mobile app has been designed keeping in mind the preferences of the modern traveller and follows the trends and technologies of international standards. The app has been equipped with features to assist the traveller in each phase of their journey to India.

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