Current Affairs 16 November 2024

CONTENTS

1. FAO Analysis Highlights Andhra Pradesh’s Natural Farming as a Catalyst for Employment Growth
2. Systemically Important Banks
3. Dinosaurs and UNESCO Global Geoparks Tag
4. Booker Prize
5. SVASTIK Initiative
6. Mealworm Larvae

 FAO Analysis Highlights Andhra Pradesh’s Natural Farming as a Catalyst for Employment Growth

Context:

A recent analysis by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government and a French agricultural research organization has highlighted the potential benefits of the AP model of natural farming. The study, part of the ‘AgroEco2050’ initiative, suggests that adopting natural farming could double employment opportunities for farmers by 2050 compared to industrial agriculture. This shift not only aims to decrease overall unemployment but also significantly increase farmers’ incomes, presenting a sustainable and economically beneficial approach to agriculture in Andhra Pradesh.

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Natural Farming
2. National Mission on Natural Farming
3. Challenges Related to Natural Farming in India

Natural Farming:

• Natural farming is a chemical-free farming method based on locally available resources.
• It promotes traditional indigenous practices that eliminate external inputs, such as on-farm biomass recycling, desi cow dung-urine formulation, and on-farm botanical concoctions to manage pests.
• The aim is to make farming aspirational by increasing net incomes of farmers and rejuvenating soil health.

Significance of Natural Farming:

• Eliminates health risks and hazards associated with synthetic chemicals in agriculture, leading to higher nutrition density in food and better health benefits.
• Increases farmers’ income by reducing costs, reducing risks, and providing opportunities for intercropping.
• Improves soil health and increases productivity by enhancing the biology of soil, including microbes and living organisms such as earthworms. Issues with Natural Farming:
• Only 52% of India’s Gross Cropped Area (GCA) is irrigated, limiting farmers’ ability to plant more crops.
• Lack of readily available natural inputs can be a barrier for farmers to adopt chemical-free agriculture.
• Skewed Minimum Support Prices in favour of cereals lead to a lack of crop diversification in agriculture.

National Mission on Natural Farming

• The NMNF is a national initiative aimed at promoting natural farming across India, based on the Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP).
• The mission will cover 7.5 lakh hectares of land, developed into 15,000 clusters, each consisting of 50 or more farmers with at least 50 hectares of land.
• The clusters may be situated within one village or spread across 2-3 nearby villages under the same gram panchayat.
• Participating farmers will receive a financial assistance of ₹15,000 per hectare per year for three years to develop on-farm input production infrastructure, but only if they commit to natural farming and continue with it.
• A web portal has been launched to monitor the implementation progress and provide information on the framework, resources, farmer registration, and blog.
• The agriculture ministry is training master trainers, champion farmers, and practicing farmers in natural farming techniques through the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) and National Centre of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF).
• The Centre aims to establish 15,000 Bhartiya Prakritik Kheti Bio-inputs Resources Centres (BRCs) to provide easy access to bio-resources like cow dung and urine, neem, and bioculture. These BRCs will be set up alongside the proposed 15,000 model clusters of natural farming.

Challenges Related to Natural Farming in India

• Training and Support Gaps:
  • Farmers transitioning to and sustaining natural farming practices require comprehensive training and continuous support. Current training systems are inadequate in addressing the full spectrum of their needs.
• Complex Certification Processes:
  • The certification process for organic farming, especially the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India), is perceived as complicated and not farmer-friendly.
  • Third-party certifications, mandated by the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), are costly, posing a significant barrier for small-scale farmers.
• Marketing and Pricing Challenges:
  • Effective marketing systems for organic produce are lacking, which impacts the ability of farmers to secure remunerative prices for their crops.
  • Without proper buy-back or procurement provisions, like those stipulated in the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), farmers struggle to sell their organic products at fair prices.
• Inadequate Funding:
  • Budget allocations for organic and natural farming programs are minimal compared to the subsidies provided for chemical fertilizers, hindering the expansion of natural farming initiatives.
• Scientific and Community Support:
  • There is a notable lack of holistic understanding and support from the scientific community, which limits advocacy and investment in organic farming practices.
• Slow Policy Implementation:
  • Although some states like Karnataka and Kerala have organic policies in place, implementation has been slow, and significant coverage or targets have not been achieved.
• Dependence on Chemical Inputs:
  • The larger agricultural system continues to heavily rely on chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, with organic alternatives not being widely promoted or adopted.
• Productivity Concerns:
  • Natural and organic farming often results in lower yields and higher susceptibility to pests and weeds, which discourages small and marginal farmers from adopting these methods.
  • For these farmers, who constitute over 80% of India’s agricultural community, reduced production can pose a serious threat to their livelihoods and is a key factor in the slow adoption rate of sustainable farming practices.

-Source: Down To Earth

Systemically Important Banks

Context:

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) retained the State Bank of India, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs). 

Relevance:

GS III: Indian economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What are Systemically Important Banks (SIBs)?
2. How are D-SIBs determined?
3. What regulations do these banks need to follow?

What are Systemically Important Banks (SIBs)?

• Certain large banks in the nation or the world are thought of as SIBs. They have a big customer base, participate in cross-sector activities, and are seen as “Too Big to Fail (TBTF)” companies.
• The system of D-SIBs was implemented in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, which was made worse by the failure of numerous systematically important banks in numerous regions. A failure of one of these banks might result in a substantial and systemic disruption of the nation’s vital economic services and a financial panic.
• Because of their significance, the government is expected to support major banks during economic downturns in order to prevent further harm.
• D-SIBs follow a different set of regulations in relation to systemic risks and moral hazard issues.

Types of SIBs

• Global SIBs: They are identified by BCBS (BASEL Committee on Banking Supervision)
• Domestic SIBs: They are declared by Central Bank of the country

How are D-SIBs determined?

• The list of all D-SIBs has been made available by the RBI since 2015.
• They are divided into five buckets based on how significant they are to the overall economy.
• The banks are further categorised on the extent of their importance across the five buckets and must have assets that exceed 2 percent of the national GDP in order to be recognised as a D-SIB.
• The first bucket contains ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank, the third bucket has SBI, and the fifth bucket contains the most significant D-SIBs.

What regulations do these banks need to follow?

• Due to their economic and national importance, the banks need to maintain a higher share of risk-weighted assets as tier-I equity.
• SBI, since it is placed in bucket three of D-SIBs, has to maintain Additional Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) at 0.60 percent of its Risk-Weighted Assets (RWAs).
• ICICI and HDFC on the other hand, have to maintain Additional CET1 at 0.20 percent of their RWA due to being in bucker one of D-SIBs.

-Source:  The Hindu

Dinosaurs and UNESCO Global Geoparks Tag

Context:

The Geological Survey of India is advocating for the Dinosaur Fossil Park and Museum located in Raiyoli village, Gujarat, to receive a UNESCO Global Geoparks tag. This recognition would place the site on the international map as a significant geological heritage location, spotlighting its rich collection of dinosaur fossils—one of the largest in the world. The designation aims to enhance scientific research, education, and tourism, contributing to local and national economic development.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Dimensions of the Article:

1. History of Dinosaurs in India
2. Key Points About Gujarat’s Dinosaur Fossil Park and Museum
3. What is a UNESCO Global Geopark?

History of Dinosaurs in India

The history of dinosaur discoveries in India dates back to the 19th century and has played a significant role in paleontological studies on the Indian subcontinent:

• First Discoveries:
  • Asia’s first dinosaur bones were discovered in 1828 in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, by Captain William Henry Sleeman. These remains were later named Titanosaurus indicus in 1877, marking the first formal dinosaur species described from India.
• Key Fossil-Rich Regions:
  • Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat are prominent regions known for their rich deposits of dinosaur fossils, including skeletons and eggs. These areas have been instrumental in uncovering the prehistoric past of the region.
• Significant Dinosaur Species:
  • Several important dinosaur species have been discovered in these regions, including:
    • Barapasaurus and Isisaurus: Large herbivorous dinosaurs.
    • Indosuchus and Rajasaurus Narmadensis: Carnivorous dinosaurs that roamed the Indian landscape.
• Nesting Sites:
  • India is considered one of the largest dinosaur hatcheries in the world, with significant nesting sites found in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Balasinor (Gujarat), and Dhar District (Madhya Pradesh).

Key Points About Gujarat’s Dinosaur Fossil Park and Museum

• Geological Importance:
  • In the early 1980s, significant discoveries of large dinosaur bones and fossilized eggs were made in Gujarat. These findings have underscored the geological importance of the region in studying dinosaur history.
• Dinosaur Species:
  • The bones found belong to Rajasaurus Narmadensis and Rahiolisaurus Gujaratensis, both carnivorous dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 67 million years ago.
• Global Position:
  • Gujarat’s dinosaur hatchery is one of the largest in the world, ranking third globally after Aix-en-Provence in France and the Mongolian Gobi Desert. This highlights the global significance of the site in the context of dinosaur reproduction studies.
• International Interest:
  • The site attracted international attention in the 1990s when it was visited by a team of 50 paleontologists who came to study the extensive deposits of dinosaur eggs. This visit helped elevate the global scientific profile of the location.

What is a UNESCO Global Geopark?

• UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
• A UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as using our earth’s resources sustainably, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing natural disasters-related risks.
• By raising awareness of the importance of the area’s geological heritage in history and society today, UNESCO Global Geoparks give local people a sense of pride in their region and strengthen their identification with the area.
• The creation of innovative local enterprises, new jobs and high-quality training courses is stimulated as new sources of revenue are generated through geotourism, while the geological resources of the area are protected.
• Cooperating with the local people (bottom-up approach) living in the geopark area and with other UNESCO Global Geoparks through the Global Geoparks Network (GGN).
• UNESCO Global Geopark status does NOT imply restrictions on any economic activity inside a UNESCO Global Geopark where that activity complies with indigenous, local, regional and/or national legislation.

-Source: The Hindu

Booker Prize

Context:

Recently,  British author Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize 2024 for her novel Orbital. 

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Booker Prize:

• Established in the UK in 1969, the Booker Prize is a prestigious literary award for a singular work of fiction.
• Initially focused on Commonwealth writers, it has evolved to include global participation, open to authors regardless of their origin.

Objectives of the Prize:

• The primary goal is to champion outstanding fiction by recognizing the best novel of the year written in English.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The Booker Prize considers novels originally written in English and published in the UK and Ireland in the prize year.
• Only original works in English, not translations, are eligible.
• The novel must be published by a registered UK or Irish imprint; self-published works are not considered.

Prize Details:

• The winner is awarded £50,000, while each shortlisted author receives £2,500.

Booker Prize Foundation:

• Established in 2002, the Booker Prize Foundation is a registered charity overseeing the Man Booker Prize for Fiction and the Man Booker International Prize, which commenced in 2005.

-Source: Indian Express

SVASTIK Initiative

Context:

Recently, the director of CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) provided an overview of SVASTIK initiative at the International Conference on Communication and Dissemination of Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2024).

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

About the SVASTIK Initiative:

• The Scientifically Validated Traditional Knowledge (SVASTIK) initiative is a national program coordinated by CSIR-NIScPR.
• The primary goal of SVASTIK is to safeguard and promote the practice of authentic traditional knowledge, foster a scientific approach to validating traditions, and enhance public trust in India’s traditional practices.
• A collaborative effort, SVASTIK brings together research organizations, educational institutions, experts, and NGOs to document and share scientifically validated Indian traditional knowledge.
• The initiative aims to effectively communicate India’s traditional knowledge, verified through scientific methods, to the wider community.
• NIScPR has shared SVASTIK stories in 17 Indian languages via social media, ensuring broad societal engagement.
• Additionally, the initiative’s two SVASTIK publications provide reliable and inspiring content on traditional knowledge, encouraging young minds to delve into the world of science.

About  CSIR

• The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), known for its cutting edge R&D knowledge base in diverse S&T areas, is a contemporary R&D organization.
• CSIR has a dynamic network of 37 national laboratories, 39 outreach centres, 3 Innovation Complexes, and five units with a pan-India presence. 
• CSIR is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and it operates as an autonomous body through the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• CSIR covers a wide spectrum of science and technology – from oceanography, geophysics, chemicals, drugs, genomics, biotechnology and nanotechnology to mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering and information technology. It provides significant technological intervention in many areas concerning societal efforts, which include environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, farm and non-farm sectors. Further, CSIR’s role in S&T human resource development is noteworthy.
• It provides significant technological intervention in many areas with regard to societal efforts which include the environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, farm and non-farm sectors.
• Established: September 1942
• Headquarters: New Delhi

Structure of the Organisation

• President: Prime Minister of India (Ex-officio)
• Vice President: Union Minister of Science and Technology (Ex-officio)
• Governing Body: The Director-General is the head of the governing body.
• The other ex-officio member is the finance secretary (expenditures).
• Other members’ terms are of three years.

Objectives

• Promotion, guidance and coordination of scientific and industrial research in India including the institution and the financing of specific researchers.
• Establishment and assistance to special institutions or departments of existing institutions for the scientific study of problems affecting particular industries and trade.
• Establishment and award of research studentships and fellowships.
• Utilization of the results of the research conducted under the auspices of the Council towards the development of industries in the country.
• Payment of a share of royalties arising out of the development of the results of research to those who are considered as having contributed towards the pursuit of such research.
• Establishment, maintenance and management of laboratories, workshops, institutes and organisations to further scientific and industrial research.
• Collection and dissemination of information in regard not only to research but to industrial matters generally.
• Publication of scientific papers and a journal of industrial research and development.

-Source: Indian Express

Mealworm Larvae

Context:

Scientists from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology who have found that the larvae of the Kenyan lesser mealworm can chew through polystyrene.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

About Mealworm Larvae:

• The lesser mealworm is the larval stage of the Alphitobius darkling beetle, with a larval phase lasting between 8 to 10 weeks.
• These larvae are predominantly found in poultry rearing houses, which provide warm environments and a steady food supply, offering ideal conditions for their growth and reproduction.
• Distribution: Thought to have originated in Africa, they are now found across many parts of the world.
• Unique Capability: Mealworm larvae can consume polystyrene, a type of plastic, due to the bacteria in their gut.
• The gut bacteria produce enzymes that help break down the complex polymers in plastic, enabling the larvae to digest it.

What is Polystyrene?

• Also Known As: Styrofoam.
• Applications: A versatile plastic material widely used in food packaging, electronics, and industrial packaging.
• Characteristics: It is durable and difficult to break down, which makes it challenging to manage environmentally.

-Source: The Hindu