16 Jun 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. G20 Agriculture Ministers Meet
2. Dugdh Sankalan Sathi Mobile App
3. New Model for radio wave propagation
4. Government of India - United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework

1. G20 Agriculture Ministers Meet

Syllabus: GS03-Agriculture

Prelims: International Year of Millets

Context: PM addresses G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meet.

Key Details: 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meet, emphasizing the significance of agriculture in human civilization and the responsibility of agriculture ministers in securing the future of humanity.
• He highlighted the challenges faced by the Global South, including the impact of the pandemic, worsening geopolitical tensions, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change.
• He discussed India’s approach to agriculture, which combines “back to basics” and “march to the future” strategies and mentioned the promotion of natural farming and technology-enabled farming, where farmers focus on soil health, organic fertilizers, and pest management solutions, while also utilizing technology to boost productivity.
• He also announced the development of an Institute of Millets Research in India as a Centre of Excellence for sharing best practices, research, and technologies related to millets.
• He also called for collective action to achieve global food security, emphasizing the need to build a sustainable and inclusive food system, strengthen fertilizer supply chains, and adopt agricultural practices for better soil health and crop yield. 
• He stressed the urgent need to reduce agricultural and food waste and invest in creating wealth from waste.
• India’s G20 priorities in agriculture focus on healing the Earth, creating harmony within the global family, and providing hope for a bright future. 

Learn more on  G20.

2. “Dugdh Sankalan Sathi Mobile App”

Syllabus: GS03-Agriculture

Prelims: Indian Dairy Industries

Context: Union Minister of Heavy Industries launched the “Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App”.

Key Details: 

• The Union Minister of Heavy Industries, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, launched the innovative Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App.
• Developed by Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL), the app aims to revolutionize the Indian dairy industry by addressing milk collection challenges.
  • REIL is a “Mini Ratna” Central Public Sector Enterprise.
• The mobile app will enhance milk quality, promote transparency among stakeholders, and streamline operations at the village level, including Milk Cooperative Societies.
• The app signifies the government’s commitment to digitising processes and facilitating direct beneficiary transfers to milk producers. 
• It will bring transparency, efficiency, and empowerment to all stakeholders involved in the milk collection process, benefiting the dairy sector.
• Key features and benefits of the “Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App” include increased transparency, online monitoring of milk collection, real-time price updates, direct transfers of payments and subsidies to producers’ bank accounts, push notifications for milk collection, and multilingual support.

Also read: White Revolution

3. New Model for radio wave propagation

Syllabus: GS03-Science and Technology

Prelims: Geomagnetism; Ionosphere; Radio Waves

Context: A new model for radio wave propagation has been developed by the Scientists of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG).

Key Details: 

• Scientists of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a model for High Frequency (HF) radio wave propagation through the ionosphere which helps in studying the impacts of space weather effects on the ionosphere and skywave communication systems. 
• These communications are crucial during situations like natural disasters and mid-ocean surveillance.
• The ionosphere, located in the upper atmosphere between 100 and 1000 km above Earth’s surface, acts as a conduit for radio communication between the ground and space. 
• Certain radio frequencies in the HF band are reflected back to the ground by the ionosphere, enabling long-distance HF communications beyond the horizon, known as skywave communications. 
• Despite the growing use of satellite communications, HF radio communication remains vital for scenarios such as natural disasters, mid-ocean surveillance, and over-the-horizon target detection.
• Severe disruptions in the ionosphere caused by various space weather events, such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and geomagnetic storms, can significantly impact skywave communications. These disturbances in space weather lead to variations in the ionosphere, which can greatly limit the effectiveness of skywave communications.
• The HF radio wave propagation model developed by IIG scientists reveals that this ionospheric depletion can result in a reduction of more than 50% in the usable HF spectrum for skywave communication during the disturbed period. 
• Additionally, the skip zones, where skywave signals are not receivable, expand over large areas, causing a loss of communications. 
• This information is crucial for formulating effective strategies to mitigate the impact of space weather on skywave communication systems and to develop robust strategies to maintain reliable communication during critical situations like natural disasters and emergencies.

4. Government of India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework

Syllabus: GS02-International Relations

Prelims: Niti Aayog; Sustainable Development Goals

Context: NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India signed the Government of India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027).

Key Details: 

• NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India have officially signed the Government of India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027.
• The GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027 serves as a collective plan of action by the UN development system to support the Government of India in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
  • It aligns with India’s national vision for development and focuses on promoting gender equality, youth empowerment, and human rights.
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework is the principal instrument for planning and implementing the UN Development System at the country level. The priorities of UN entities working in the country are derived from the GoI-UNSDCF.
• The GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027 is structured around four strategic pillars: 
  • People, Prosperity, Planet, and Participation, which are derived from the 2030 Agenda. 
  • These pillars encompass six outcome areas, including Health and Well Being, Nutrition and Food Security, Quality Education, Economic Growth and Decent Work, Environment, Climate, WASH, and Resilience, and Empowering People, Communities, and Institutions.
• The GoI-UNSDCF will emphasise SDG localization and South-South cooperation. 
  • This aligns with India’s commitment to accelerating the SDGs and its leadership role in promoting South-South cooperation. 
• The implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027 will be jointly led by the Government of India and the United Nations, India through a Joint Steering Committee. 
  • This collaborative approach will ensure effective coordination and progress towards the development priorities outlined in the framework.
• The Cooperation Framework will support India’s transformation and prioritise the quality of basic necessities such as water, electricity, and internet access.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

June 16th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here