UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24 January 2024

GS Paper 3

 Syllabus: Use of E-technology in Agriculture

Source: DTE

 Context: The adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) faces challenges in South Asia, as sustainable practices and technologies struggle to gain widespread acceptance.

What is CSA?

CSA, or Climate-Smart Agriculture, is an approach that incorporates a set of agricultural practices and technologies. Its goals are to boost productivity (e.g., precision farming, smart crops), enhance resilience (e.g., zero budget natural farming, agroforestry), and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., zero tillage, permaculture, organic farming).

Examples of Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices:

1. Cultivating Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties: Growing crops resistant to temperature changes, pests, and diseases. Example: Drought-tolerant maize in sub-Saharan Africa benefits smallholder farmers.
2. Conservation Agriculture: No-till and reduced-tillage cultivation for soil coverage,
3. Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs with crops and livestock.
4. Precision Irrigation:g., Drip and sprinkler irrigation maximize water use efficiency.

Challenges faced in CSA:

Benefits of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA):

Promoting CSA:

1. Capacity Building: Raise awareness and provide training for officials, extension workers, and farmers.
2. Incentives to Farmers: Support eco-friendly practices (e.g., mulching, crop rotation) and sustainable indigenous technologies.
3. Collaborative Approach: Form international/regional partnerships, such as the Youth for Green and Climate-Resilient Agriculture Programme (YCRA) by the Food and Agriculture Organization.
4. Other Measures: Encourage private capital investment, implement micro-level policies, and explore additional avenues for CSA promotion.

Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiatives:

• Government Initiatives in India: National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change, National Innovation on Climate Resilient Agriculture, Soil Health Mission, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Biotech-KISAN, and Climate Smart Village.
• Public and Private Sector Involvement: Farmer-producer organizations, NGOs, and various entities are actively contributing to CSA adoption.
• Research Programs: The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) addresses challenges of food security, poverty, and climate change on a global scale, National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)
• World Bank Group: Provides financial support and technical assistance for CSA projects in developing countries.
• Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA): A voluntary platform fostering collaboration among governments, civil society, farmers, research institutions, and the private sector to promote knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and investment in CSA.
• Climate-Smart Agriculture Youth Network (CSAYN): Comprises young individuals from various countries dedicated to raising awareness and taking action on CSA among youth and other stakeholders.
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) One of the missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

To learn about Climate Resilient Agriculture: Click Here

Insta Links:

• Climate-smart agriculture

Mains Links:

Elaborate on the impact of the National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas. (UPSC 2019)

Prelims Links:

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Economic Times

 Context: The Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, launched recently, aims to provide rooftop solar panels for consumers.

• The scheme intends to supply power to households through solar rooftop installations and offers additional compensation for excess electricity output.

Key Features:

• The goal is to install rooftop solar on 1 crore houses, providing 1 crore families access to rooftop solar energy.
• The scheme is designed to benefit poor and middle-income households, helping them reduce electricity bills.

This initiative follows the government’s 2014 Rooftop Solar Programme.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Deccan Chronicle

 Context:  Wadge Bank, is under threat due to the Indian government’s proposal to offer three oil and gas blocks for exploration and development.

• The blocks identified for exploration overlap with Wadge Bank, an ideal place for nutrient-rich marine life.

About Hydrocarbons:

• Hydrocarbons are organic compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon. They are found in crude oil, natural gas, and coal.
• Hydrocarbon exploration is the search for deposits of hydrocarbons, such as petroleum and natural gas, in the Earth’s crust. It’s also known as oil and gas exploration

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: NDTV

 Context: Scientists from Japan have captured real-time footage of plants communicating with each other for the first time.

• The research revealed that plants release airborne compounds, similar to smells, to warn nearby plants of danger.

About the study:

The study observed how undamaged plants responded to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by plants damaged by insects or other factors.

Using an air pump connected to containers with leaves, caterpillars, and Arabidopsis thaliana (a mustard family weed), the researchers observed bursts of calcium signalling in undamaged plants, indicating their response to the warning messages.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PBS

 Context: It launched the world’s first malaria vaccine program for children (Mosquirix), aiming to vaccinate about 250,000 children this year and next.

The vaccine, Mosquirix, endorsed by the World Health Organization, is around 30% effective, requires four doses, and has been approved for use despite its imperfections. The campaign is considered a milestone in the fight against malaria in Africa, where the disease accounts for 95% of global malaria deaths. The vaccination effort is part of a broader initiative by Gavi, involving 20 other African countries, with hopes to immunize over 6 million children by 2025.

The R21, otherwise referred to as Matrix-M malaria vaccine, is the second vaccine ever developed for a disease, after RTS, S or mosquirix was approved by the WHO in 2021.

Since 2015, 9 countries have been certified by the WHO Director-General as malaria-free, including Maldives, Sri Lanka , Kyrgyzstan, Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Argentina, Algeria, China (2021) and El Salvador (2021).

Initiatives to Curb Malaria:

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE 

Context: To address the increasing human-elephant conflict in Odisha, the state government has requested four Kumki elephants and their mahouts from Tamil Nadu.

• Kumki elephants are trained captive elephants used for operations such as trapping, rescuing, and tranquillizing wild elephants.

The move aims to strategically deploy Kumki elephants in conflict-prone areas to reduce damage to crops, human habitation, and potential loss of lives.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: The 2nd edition of the India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise CYCLONE has begun.

• The exercise aims to familiarize both sides with operating procedures related to Special Operations in desert/semi-desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The exercise involves military cooperation discussions, tactical military drills, and three phases covering areas like Improvised Explosive Device (IED) training, combat first aid, and joint tactical exercises in built-up areas and hostage rescue scenarios.
• The goal is to enhance bilateral military cooperation and strengthen the bond between the Indian and Egyptian armies.

Here is the list of all Military Exercises of India.

Mapping:

Source: Firstpost

 Context: The 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit was recently held in the Ugandan capital city Kampala.

• Theme: ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.’
• Key Discussions: Israel-Hamas war, India’s “Vishwaa Mitra” initiative, Call for a multipolar world

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa whose diverse landscape encompasses the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and immense Lake Victoria. Its abundant wildlife includes chimpanzees as well as rare birds. Remote Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a renowned mountain gorilla sanctuary.