Content:
- Bharat Tex 2025
- Celebrating a Decade of Soil Health Cards
Bharat Tex 2025
Overview & Significance
- India’s largest global textile event held from 14-17 February 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Covered 2.2 million sq. ft., hosted 5,000+ exhibitors, and attracted 1,20,000+ trade visitors from 120+ countries.
- Focused on the “Farm to Fibre, Fabric, Fashion, and Foreign Markets” vision to enhance the entire textile value chain.
- Showcased India’s global textile leadership through innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.
Relevance : GS 3(Economy )
Economic Impact & Industry Snapshot
- India is the 6th-largest global textile exporter, contributing 8.21% of India’s total exports (2023-24).
- Textiles account for a 4.5% share in global trade; US & EU consume 47% of India’s textile exports.
- Employment driver:
- Direct jobs: Over 45 million people
- Indirect livelihoods: Over 100 million people, including a high proportion of women and rural workers.
- Textile exports at ₹3 lakh crore aim to triple to ₹9 lakh crore by 2030.
Government Policy Support & Schemes
- Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PMMITRA) Parks:
- 7 mega parks with USD 10 Bn investment, ensuring plug-and-play infrastructure and integrated textile ecosystems.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:
- INR 10,683 crore (~USD 1 Bn) incentives for MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics, and Technical Textiles manufacturing.
- Samarth Scheme:
- Skill development across textile value chain, demand-driven with state-specific programs.
- National Technical Education & Training Mission:
- Targets USD 300 Bn in technical textiles by 2047, focusing on R&D, market development, and skilling.
- State Incentives:
- States offering capital subsidies, wage support, power, and water incentives to boost textile units.
Innovations & Focused Business Zones
- Intelligent Manufacturing:
- Integration of AI, IoT, automation, and data analytics to modernize textile production.
- Technical Textiles:
- Application in automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and construction sectors.
- Home Textiles:
- Prominence of regional craftsmanship from Gujarat (embroidery) and Kashmir (woollen shawls, rugs).
- Fabrics & Apparel:
- Major production hubs: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, West Bengal.
- Fusion of traditional handlooms with modern manufacturing for domestic and global markets.
- Handloom & Handicrafts:
- Highlighted at Indie Haat (Feb 12-18) with 85 artisans showcasing 80+ handcrafted products.
- Fashion Showcase:
- “Breathing Threads” Fashion Show emphasized zero-waste strategies and sustainable handloom designs.
Skilling, Startups & Research Initiatives
- 4 Start-ups under the GREAT Scheme received INR 50 lakh each for innovations in medical, industrial, and protective textiles.
- 3 Institutes (IIT Indore, NIT Patna) granted INR 6.5 crores for specialized textile courses.
- 12 Skill Development Courses approved in medical, protective, mobile, and agricultural textiles.
Sustainability & Global Partnerships
- Strong emphasis on eco-friendly production, zero-waste designs, and ethical manufacturing.
- International collaborations with global CEOs, policymakers, and manufacturers fostered cross-border trade partnerships.
- Reinforced India’s commitment to “Fashion for Environment and Empowerment”, aligning with global sustainability trends.
Comparison with Bharat Tex 2024
- Bharat Tex 2024:
- 3,500+ exhibitors, 3,000+ overseas buyers, and 1,00,000+ visitors.
- Hosted 50+ knowledge sessions on trade and innovation.
- Bharat Tex 2025:
- Scaled up to 5,000+ exhibitors and 1,20,000+ visitors, signifying enhanced global interest.
- Expanded focus on technical textiles, sustainability, and intelligent manufacturing.
Key Takeaways & Future Outlook
- Bharat Tex 2025 positions India as a global textile hub through:
- Policy-driven growth (PLI, PM MITRA, Samarth).
- Innovation and technology integration.
- Sustainability and ethical production.
- Export diversification targeting₹9 lakh crore by 2030.
- Strengthens rural employment, women’s participation, and artisan empowerment.
- Reinforces India’s leadership in fashion, fabrics, and future-oriented textile innovations.
Celebrating a Decade of Soil Health Cards
Introduction
- Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19th February 2015 at Suratgarh, Rajasthan.
- Aimed at assisting State Governments to issue Soil Health Cards (SHCs) to all farmers.
- SHCs provide information on soil nutrient status and recommend appropriate nutrient dosage to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity.
- SHC Portal (www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in) enables generation of cards in major languages and 5 dialects with a uniform format.
Key Features of the SHC Scheme
- SHC reports soil status for 12 parameters:
- Macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S)
- Micronutrients: Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Boron (Bo)
- Other Parameters: pH (acidity/basicity), EC (Electrical Conductivity), OC (Organic Carbon)
- Provides fertilizer recommendations and soil amendment guidelines.
- Soil samples collected twice annually – post-Rabi and post-Kharif seasons.
Village Level Soil Testing Labs (VLSTLs)
- Guidelines issued: June 2023.
- Eligibility:
- Youth aged 18-27 years
- Community-based entities: SHGs, FPOs, Schools, Agriculture Universities
- Status (as of Feb 2025):
- 665 VLSTLs established across 17 States.
- Benefits:
- Promotes local entrepreneurship and rural employment.
- Enhances timely soil testing and localized solutions for farmers.
School Soil Health Programme
- Pilot launched with DA&FW, DSE&L, ICAR in rural Kendriya Vidyalayas & Navodaya Vidyalayas.
- Objective: Promote soil health awareness and sustainable farming among students.
- Activities:
- Students collected and tested soil samples.
- Generated SHCs for local farmers.
- Conducted farmer awareness drives on judicious fertilizer use.
- Impact (as of 2024):
- 1020 schools implementing the programme.
- 1000 soil labs established; 125,972 students enrolled.
Technological Advancements
Revamped SHC Portal (2023):
- Integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS).
- Captures test results on interactive maps showing boundaries at multiple administrative levels.
SHC Mobile App Features:
- Auto-selection of latitude and longitude for soil samples.
- Restricts sample collection to designated areas for accuracy.
- Generates QR codes for sample-to-result tracking, ensuring transparency.
- Real-time monitoring and digital card generation through the app.
Digitization Efforts:
- Developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC).
- Facilitates web–based workflow and efficient data management.
Integration with Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
- Merged in 2022–23 under the ‘Soil Health & Fertility’ component.
- Ensures holistic agricultural development with enhanced resource allocation.
Impact & Achievements
- Improved awareness of soil nutrient management among farmers.
- Promoted balanced fertilizer use, reducing over-dependence on chemical fertilizers.
- Enhanced crop productivity and ensured cost–effective farming.
- Youth and student involvement fostered community participation and awareness.
Challenges & Way Forward
- Challenges:
- Ensuring timely delivery of SHCs to all farmers.
- Bridging gaps in digital literacy among rural farmers.
- Sustaining accurate sample collection and regular testing.
- Way Forward:
- Expand VLSTLs and incentivize youth participation.
- Strengthen digital outreach and training for farmers.
- Incorporate AI & remote sensing for precise soil monitoring.
Conclusion
- Over the past decade, the SHC Scheme has transformed farming practices by providing scientific soil health insights.
- Technological upgrades and educational initiatives have made the scheme more accessible and farmer-friendly.
- The scheme remains crucial in ensuring sustainable agriculture and preserving soil health for future generations.
