21st Livestock Census
Context: Recently, the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the 21st Livestock Census in New Delhi. Relevance: GS III: Agriculture 21st Livestock Census Focus Areas of the 21st Livestock Census Technological Advancements in Data Collection New Data Points in the 21st Census -Source: Indian Express
What is Minimum Support Price ?
Context: The Union government has declared minimum support prices (MSP) for six rabi crops for the 2025-26 marketing season, notably increasing the MSP for wheat by ₹150 per quintal to ₹2,425, marking a 6.59% rise from the previous MSP. Relevance: GS-III: Agriculture (Agriculture Pricing), GS-II: Social Justice (Welfare Schemes) Dimensions of the Article: What is […]
Critical Role of the Haber-Bosch Process in Global Agriculture
Context: Annually, the Haber-Bosch process extracts hundreds of millions of tonnes of nitrogen from the atmosphere to produce fertilizer, contributing 165 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen to the soil. This industrial method vastly surpasses the amount of reactive nitrogen naturally replenished by biological processes, estimated between 100 and 140 million tonnes each year. The synthesis […]
Changes in Indian Rice Export Policies
Context: The Indian government has recently made significant changes to its rice export policies. It lifted the ban on exporting Non-Basmati White Rice and established a minimum export price (MEP) of $490 per tonne. Additionally, the government previously removed a 20% export duty on Non-Basmati White Rice and lowered the export duties on three other […]
New Rice Variety Pusa-2090 to Help Reduce Stubble Burning
Context: To address the persistent issue of farm fires in Punjab and Haryana, the government is promoting the adoption of new rice varieties. Pusa-2090 has been identified as a viable alternative to the popular Pusa-44 due to its similar yield potential. Crucially, Pusa-2090 can be harvested in early to mid-October, which is earlier than traditional […]
Recovery in India’s Sugar Sector
Context: India’s sugar industry is showing signs of significant recovery following an extended period of uncertainty. This rebound is crucial for the agriculture sector, impacting numerous stakeholders from farmers to exporters. Relevance: GS III: Agriculture Dimensions of the Article: State of the Sugar Industry in India: Significance of the Sugar Industry in India: Challenges Associated […]
Global Support for India’s Fisheries Subsidies Proposals at WTO
Context: India’s initiative to establish regulations on fisheries subsidies at the World Trade Organization (WTO) has received significant support from numerous developing nations and least developed countries (LDCs). These proposals aim to tackle the issues of overcapacity and overfishing by regulating the subsidies that often exacerbate these problems. Currently, efforts are being made to finalize […]
Climate Change Impacts Tea Prices in India
Context: The tea industry in India, particularly in Assam and West Bengal, has experienced a significant price surge of approximately 13% in 2024. This increase is directly attributed to a notable reduction in tea production this year. Analysts and industry experts point to extreme weather events and broader climate change as the primary causes behind […]
Investing in Precision Agriculture
Context: The Indian Government is set to allocate Rs 6,000 crore to advance precision farming, launching the Smart Precision Horticulture Programme under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). This strategic move aims to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the horticulture sector by integrating modern farming techniques that optimize resource usage and improve […]
Overview of Jute Cultivation
Context: Recently, jute cultivation and the challenges faced by the sector was highlighted by the Indian Jute Mills Association. Relevance: GS III: Agriculture Dimensions of the Article: Overview of Jute Cultivation Details Harvesting Insights Retting Process Utilization and Economic Impact Regional and Economic Significance Advantages of Jute Fibers Challenges in Jute Production -Source: Indian Express