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TIFAC UNVEILS TWO NEW INITIATIVES OF TECHNOLOGY
Two schemes launched:
- SAKSHAM (Shramik Shakti Manch)
- Seaweed Mission
Who has launched the schemes?
TIFAC has launched the two schemes.
ABOUT TIFAC:
- TIFAC or Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council is a technology think tank and autonomous body under the GOI’s Department of Science & Technology (S&T).
- It was formed in 1988 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
- TIFAC assesses the technology trajectories and supports innovation by networked actions in select areas of national importance.
- It strives for technology development in the country by leveraging technology innovation through sustained and concerted programmes in close association with industry and academia.
SAKSHAM:
- It is a dynamic portal for jobs/mapping the skills of Shramiks vis-à-vis requirements of MSMEs and other industries all across the country.
- The portal with the demand and supply data uses algorithm and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, for geo-spatial information on demand and availability of Shramiks, and also provide analysis on skill training programmes of Shramiks.
- The pilot portal originally initiated with two districts is now being launched as an all India portal.
KEY FEATURES OF SAKSHAM:
- A dynamic job portal – opportunity for Shramiks and MSMEs.
- Facilitate creation of 10 lakh blue collar jobs
- Direct connect between Shramiks and MSMEs, no middleman in between
- Minimise migration of Shramiks – job opportunity in proximate MSMEs
SEAWEED MISSION:
- It is a mission for the commercial farming of seaweeds and its processing for value addition.
- Despite several advantages, commercial seaweeds cultivation has not been taking place in the country at an appropriate scale, as being practiced in South-East Asian countries.
- By an estimate, if cultivation is done in ≈10 million hectares or 5% of the EEZ area of India, it can provide employment to approximately 50 million people; set up new seaweed industry; contribute to national GDP; ocean productivity; abate algal blooms, sequester millions of tons CO2; contribute to a healthier ocean; provide bio-ethanol of 6.6 billion litres.
- Thus, with this objective, TIFAC will showcase a model, in collaboration with other in-line ministries, of the commercial farming of seaweeds and its processing. Seaweed Cultivation would help in boosting the economy.
SEAWEED CULTIVATION:
- Seaweed Cultivation is also called kelp farming.
- It is the practice of cultivating and harvesting seaweeds.
- Seaweed, or macroalgae, refers to thousands of species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae.
- Seaweed species such as kelps provide essential nursery habitat for fisheries and other marine species and thus protect food sources; other species, such as planktonic algae, play a vital role in capturing carbon, producing up to 90% of Earth’s oxygen.
SOURCE:PIB
