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Agriculture and Allied Sectors - Part - I

Agriculture and Allied Sectors

Livestock, Standards, and Crop Profiles

21st Livestock Census

The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying launched the 21st Livestock Census to update baseline data for addressing disease control, breed improvement, and supporting rural livelihoods.
  • Timeline: Scheduled to take place between October 2024 and February 2025.
  • Historical Inception: Conducted every five years since 1919. The 20th Livestock Census (2019) was the first to implement a fully digitized data collection process.
  • Key Survey Methodology:
    • Fully digitized operations continue, utilizing a dedicated mobile app named "21st Livestock Census" to facilitate a comprehensive pan-India survey.
    • Data collection spans 16 livestock species and covers 219 recognized indigenous breeds to support breed-specific conservation.
    • For the first time, comprehensive data on pastoralists will be collected and recorded.
    • Special emphasis is placed on analyzing gender roles within livestock rearing.
    • Aims to gather precise data to guide future government action plans and monitor Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the National Indicator Framework Progress Report.

Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs

The 7th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) was held in Kochi, Kerala.
  • Session Outcomes: Finalized global quality standards for 5 major spices: small cardamom, turmeric, juniper berry, allspice, and star anise. It also finalized the initial group standard for spices derived from fruits and berries. This session marked the first in-person meeting of the CCSCH since the pandemic.
  • About the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC):
    • The Latin name translates directly to "food code". Jointly established by the FAO and WHO in 1963 as an intergovernmental food standards body.
    • Headquartered in Rome, Italy, it comprises over 188 member countries and 1 member organization (the EU). India has been a member since 1964.
    • Formally recognized under WTO agreements; Codex standards provide voluntary baseline safety guidelines for international trade. Funded directly from regular FAO and WHO budgets.
  • About the CCSCH: Established in 2013 under the CAC to develop global standards for spices and culinary herbs. It harmonizes national standards to facilitate fair trade and protect consumer health. The Spices Board of India collaborates closely with CCSCH to implement these standards.
  • About the Spices Board of India:
    • A statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, responsible for promoting Indian spices globally.
    • Established in 1987 under the Spices Board Act, 1986, by merging the Cardamom Board (1968) and the Spices Export Promotion Council (1960).
    • Headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, it regulates spice exports while driving quality control and research advancements.
Global Pulses Conference 2024

- Context: The Annual Global Pulses Conference 2024 was held in New Delhi, organized jointly by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC).
- NAFED: Established in 1958 and registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act.
- GPC: Based in Dubai (licensed by the Dubai Multi Commodity Centre), representing all segments of the pulse value chain with 24 national associations and over 500 private sector members.
- Key Conference Observations:
  • Targeted Self-Sufficiency: India targets complete pulse self-sufficiency by 2027. The country is already self-reliant in chickpeas (chana), with only slight deficiencies remaining in pigeon peas (tur) and black gram.
  • Decadal Growth: Total pulse production grew by 60%, rising from 171 lakh tonnes in 2014 to 270 lakh tonnes in 2024.
- Indian Production Profile: Pulses are annual leguminous crops used for both food and feed. India is the world's largest producer (25% of global output), largest consumer (27% of global consumption), and largest importer (14%). Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan are the top three producing states. Rabi pulses account for 60% of total production.

Byadgi Chilli

The e-tender process for Byadgi chilli in Haveri district, Karnataka, sparked local protests regarding price fluctuations.
  • Traits: Known for its vivid deep red hue and mild pungency, holding a special place in South Indian cuisine, commercial spice mixes, and oleoresin extraction. Granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in February 2011. Also applied in pharmaceuticals, textile dyeing, and cattle feed.
  • Varieties:
    • Byadgi Kaddi: Thin, elongated, and gnarled in shape. It contains fewer seeds and has less color value compared to the Dabbi variety.
    • Byadgi Dabbi: Small, plump, and highly prized for its intense natural color, rich flavor, and mild spice profile.

Pomegranate Cultivation

The APEDA facilitated India's inaugural commercial trial shipment of 'Sangola' pomegranates to the United States via sea transport.
  • Production Profile: Believed to have originated in Iran, it has become a major fruit crop across India's arid and semi-arid tracts. India uniquely offers fresh pomegranates throughout the year.
  • Botanical Traits: Propagated vegetatively through cuttings, air layering, or gootee techniques. Depending on the local climate, trees can be deciduous in cool winter climates and evergreen in tropical zones. They exhibit high frost tolerance during their dormant stage and thrive in soils ranging from sandy to loamy types.
  • State Standings: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh lead production. Maharashtra accounts for over 50% of the national output. India ranks 7th globally in pomegranate production. The 'Bhagwa' variety is highly esteemed for its soft seeds, low acidity, and deep color.
  • About APEDA:
    • The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority was established under a Parliament Act in December 1985. Headquartered in New Delhi, supported by 15 regional offices.
    • Functions as the official Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for implementing organic export certifications under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
    • Mandated with export promotion for scheduled items including fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy, honey, floriculture, medicinal plants, and de-oiled rice bran. Basmati Rice is specifically included in the Second Schedule of the APEDA Act.

Apple Production

Himachal Pradesh reported a 6.39% drop in seasonal apple production due to widespread fungal infections and aging plantations.
  • Global Context: Believed to have originated in the Middle East over 4,000 years ago. China remains the largest producer of apples globally.
  • Cultivation Parameters in India: Cultivated primarily across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. It thrives best in dry temperate climates at altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 2,700 meters, requiring an evenly distributed annual rainfall of 100-125 cm.
  • Common Apple Fungal Pathogens:
    • Apple Scab: Caused by Venturia inaequalis
    • Powdery Mildew: Caused by Podosphaera leucotricha
    • Alternaria Leaf Spot: Caused by Alternaria mali
    • Botrytis Rot: Caused by Botrytis cinerea
    • Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck complexes

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