Agriculture

Overview: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed the National Agriculture Code (NAC), setting comprehensive guidelines for the agricultural sector. Purpose: The NAC provides a standardized framework for the entire agricultural process, akin to the National Building Code and National Electrical Code. Structure of NAC: General Principles: These apply …

Context: Following the devastation caused by Cyclone Gaja, casuarina plantations in Tamil Nadu are witnessing a resurgence, with farmers gearing up for their first harvest in five years. About the Casuarina Tree: Origin: The Casuarina tree is native to Australia and was introduced to mainland India in 1868. It thrives …

  GS3: Biodiversity Conservation, Engaging Tribal communities in Forest Management, The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, The Forest Conservation Act, 1980, National Forest Academy, Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. Recently, the President of India gave a congratulatory message to the 2022 batch of Indian Forest Service (IFoS) trainee …

Introduction Rangelands, vast swathes of grasslands, shrublands, and savannahs, are crucial ecosystems supporting livestock grazing, biodiversity, and ecological balance. However, rangeland degradation is a growing concern globally, with significant implications for India. Rangeland Degradation: Causes Overgrazing: Excessive livestock numbers exceeding the carrying capacity of the land lead to depletion of …

GS Paper III (Environment & Ecology): The syllabus emphasizes climate change mitigation strategies, and carbon farming is a prominent concept in this domain. GS Paper III (Agriculture): You can link carbon farming practices to sustainable agriculture and improved soil health. Essay Paper: Carbon farming can be a compelling point for …

Introduction Balanced fertilization is a crucial aspect of sustainable agriculture, aiming to provide crops with the optimal combination of primary, secondary, and micronutrients they require for healthy growth and maximum yield. Understanding Balanced Fertilization: Importance: Balanced fertilization ensures optimal nutrient uptake by crops, leading to improved yields, soil health, and …

Genetically modified (GM) crops, also known as transgenic crops, are plants that have had their genetic makeup altered in a way that doesn’t occur naturally. This is done through techniques like gene insertion, removal, or modification using genetic engineering tools. What are they? Crops with their DNA deliberately altered to …

The innovative market-based Green Credit Program (GCP), announced on October 13, 2023, is intended to encourage voluntary environmental actions by a range of stakeholders, including individuals, communities, businesses, and private sector industries, across diverse sectors. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) acts as the GCP Administrator, in …

A strategy known as “Climate-Smart Agriculture” (CSA) aids in directing efforts to change agri-food systems towards environmentally friendly and climate-resilient methods. CSA is in favour of achieving globally recognised objectives like the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. The three main objectives of CSA Sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes: This …

Livestock refers to the animals domesticated and raised in an agricultural set-up to procure products for consumption (meat, milk, wool, egg) and labour to supplement the farmer’s income. The livestock sector contributes 4.11% to India’s GDP and 25.6% of total agriculture GDP. It also provides employment to about 8.8% of …

The Public Distribution System (PDS) evolved as a system of management of scarcity through the distribution of food grains at affordable prices. 

The Government of India sets Minimum Support Price (MSP) for certain agricultural products. MSP is a safety net for farmers that ensures a minimum guaranteed price for their produce. MSP protects farmers from market fluctuations and ensures a fair return on their investment.  The MSP is based on a calculation of at …

Dam means any artificial barrier and its appurtenant structure constructed across rivers or tributaries thereof with a view to impound or divert water which also include barrage, weir and similar water impounding structures. Central Water Commission (CWC) compiles and maintains the nationwide register of Large Dams i.e., the National Register …

Syllabus:  Agriculture-Exports The story so far In a move to check domestic rice prices and ensure domestic food security, the Indian government has prohibited the export of white rice, levied a 20% export duty on par-boiled rice till October 15, and permitted the export of Basmati rice for contracts with …

With aggregate rainfall in the country rising above the long-term average, Kharif crop sowing has picked up pace to lift overall levels 1.2% over last year by July 21, from a 2% deficit recorded a week earlier, spurring hopes of a relief in the pace of price rise of some …

NABARD stands for the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. It is an apex development bank in India that focuses on the promotion and development of agriculture, rural industries, and rural areas. NABARD was established on July 12, 1982, as an autonomous institution by the Parliament of India. The …

Second Advance Estimates of production of major crops for agricultural year 2022-23 have been released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said that foodgrain production of 3235.54 Lakh Tonnes is estimated in the current agricultural year. …

Till the onset of the green revolution, millets used to be staple food for many communities in India. They were 25% of the staple food supply in the early 1970s. However, the green revolution technology and policy environment gave rice and wheat a strong advantage over millets. This led to …

The adoption of mechanization by the farmers depends on various factors such as socioeconomic conditions, geographical conditions, crops grown, irrigation facilities etc. The farm mechanization levels assessed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for major cereals, pulses, oil-seeds, millets and cash crops indicates that the seedbed preparation operation is …

The traditional coffee farmers of Anchunad at Marayur in Kerala’s Idukki are reaping the benefits of organic farming, with a kg of berry (coffee fruit) fetching over ₹50 this year. Tribespeople and other farmers traditionally follow organic coffee farming in the Anchunad valley. Coffee is mainly cultivated at Kanthalloor, Keezhanthoor, …