Agriculture — Related New Developments (Part II)
1. Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg)
Context: A vital component of the Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture, the UPAg harnesses agricultural diversity and leverages data for sectoral growth.
Key Point: UPAg is a vital component of the Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture, harnessing agricultural diversity and leveraging data for sectoral growth.
2. National Speed Breeding Crop Facility
Context: Union Minister of Science and Technology inaugurated a unique National Speed Breeding Crop Facility at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) located in Mohali.
About the Facility
- Designed to accelerate the development of advanced crop varieties, including wheat, rice, soybeans, peas, and tomatoes.
- By leveraging a highly controlled environment, it is capable of producing more than four generations of a crop within a single year.
- Primary aim: Enhance crop quality and yield, offering farmers access to superior crop varieties developed through speed breeding techniques.
About NABI
- Established in Mohali, Punjab, operates as an autonomous institute under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology.
- It is the first Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, established in India on 18th February 2010.
- Plays a pivotal role in the application of biotechnology to improve agriculture and food sectors.
Activities at NABI
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Food and Nutritional Biotechnology
- Human Resource Development
- Meeting and Courses
- Technology Transfer and Outreach
3. Biocontrol Agent for Foot Rot Disease
Context: The Punjab Agricultural University has introduced Trichoderma asperellum as a biocontrol agent to tackle the widespread issue of foot rot disease in Basmati rice varieties.
About Foot Rot Disease
- Also known as: Bakane disease, a fungal infection that primarily impacts Basmati rice seedlings.
- Causative Agent: Fusarium verticillioides, a soil- and seed-borne pathogen. Spreads through the plant's root system and infects the stem base.
- Symptoms: Affected seedlings develop a pale yellow hue, followed by abnormal elongation and drying, often culminating in death.
Current Treatment Methods
- Seedlings treated with Trichoderma harzianum before sowing or transplantation.
- Seeds treated with fungicides like Sprint 75 WS prior to sowing.
- Fungicides, while effective, can degrade soil health and pose potential risks to consumers.
Key Point: Trichoderma asperellum has been introduced as a biocontrol agent for foot rot disease in Basmati rice.
4. Sweet Sorghum
Context: Sweet Sorghum offers Sustainable Biofuel and Nutrition Solutions for Drought-Hit Southern Africa.
About Biofuel Crops
- Specially cultivated to produce renewable energy sources, primarily liquid fuels like ethanol and biodiesel.
- Help in reducing dependency on fossil fuels, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable energy solutions.
Types of Biofuel Crops
- First-Generation: Derived from food crops (sugarcane, maize, wheat, soybean).
- Second-Generation: Produced from non-food crops or agricultural residues (switchgrass, jatropha, miscanthus, cellulosic biomass).
- Third-Generation: Produced using micro-organisms (algae) that generate bio-oil. Algae can grow in non-arable land and require less water.
- Fourth Generation: Genetically modified crops designed to absorb high levels of carbon, including micro-algae, yeast, fungus, and cyanobacteria.
About Sweet Sorghum
- Versatile, drought-resistant crop indigenous to Africa.
- Valued for resilience, nutritional benefits, and potential as a sustainable biofuel source.
- Contains high levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose, essential for bioethanol production.
- Capable of yielding 8,102 liters of bioethanol per hectare, outperforming traditional crops like maize.
- Produces grains, sugary juice, and biomass for animal feed; grains used for food products.
5. Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) Method
Context: Punjab is promoting Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR), or the 'tar-wattar' method, for its benefits over traditional transplantation.
About DSR
- Innovative method that eliminates the need for traditional nursery preparation and transplantation.
- Pre-germinated seeds are directly sown into the main field using a tractor-powered seed drill or lucky seeder.
- Seeds are treated with a fungicide solution before sowing.
Benefits of DSR
- Water Efficiency: Reduces water usage by 15-20% (15-18 irrigation rounds vs 25-27 in traditional methods).
- Lower Labor Needs: Eliminates labor-intensive tasks of uprooting and transplanting seedlings.
- Faster Crop Maturity: Crops mature 7-10 days earlier.
- Soil Health Preservation: Minimizes soil disturbance, maintaining soil structure and fertility.
- Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Avoids puddling, significantly reducing methane emissions.
Current Constraints
- Higher seed rates
- Seeds exposed to birds and pests
- Weed management challenges
- High risk of lodging
- Risk of poor or non-uniform crop establishment
Key Points:
- DSR — eliminates transplantation; 15-20% water savings
- Reduces methane emissions; 7-10 days earlier maturity
- Constraints: weed management, high seed rates, lodging risk
6. High-Yielding and Biofortified Seed Varieties
Context: The Prime Minister launched 109 new high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified seed varieties developed by ICAR, covering 61 different crops.
New Seed Varieties
- Field Crops: Barley, Maize, Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Finger Millet
- Pulses: Chickpea, Pigeon pea, Lentils, Mungbean
- Oilseeds: Safflower, Soybean, Groundnut, Sesame
- Forage Crops: Forage Pearl Millet, Berseem, Oats, Forage Maize, Forage Sorghum
- Specialized Crops: Sugarcane, Cotton, Jute, Buckwheat, Amaranth, Winged Bean, Adzuki Bean, Pillipesara, Kalingda, Perilla
- Horticultural Crops: Fruits, Vegetables, Spices, Tuber Crops, Plantation Crops, Flowers, Medicinal Plants
About Biofortification
- Process of improving the nutritional content of food crops to increase levels of essential vitamins and minerals.
- Primarily targets staple crops like rice to provide essential micronutrients, especially to populations with limited access to diverse diets.
- Methods:
- Agronomic Practices: Using specific farming techniques to enhance nutrient content.
- Conventional Breeding: Selecting and crossbreeding plants with high nutrient levels.
- Biotechnology Approaches: Genetic engineering and genome editing.
7. AgriSURE (Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises)
Context: The Government of India plans to introduce the 'Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises' (AgriSURE) in Category-II Alternative Investment Fund.
- Fund: Initial corpus of less than 750 crores — ₹250 crore each from NABARD and Ministry of Agriculture, and ₹250 crore from other institutions.
- Aim: Provide comprehensive support to agripreneurs by setting up an ecosystem for better financing and offering both equity and debt support.
- Objectives: Promotion of Agricultural Innovation; Improving value chain of farm produce; Rural Agri-infrastructure development; Employment Generation; Provide aid to FPOs; Promote IT-based solutions and machinery rental services.
- Fund management: NAB VENTURES, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NABARD.
- The fund is structured to operate initially for 10 years.
- Registered as a Category-II Alternative Investment Fund with SEBI.
8. One Scientist-One Product Initiative
Context: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is preparing to introduce its 'One Scientist-One Product' initiative.
- Aim: Promote advancements in agriculture and animal husbandry research.
- Will coincide with the introduction of 323 new varieties across 56 crops (cereals, oilseeds, forage crops, sugarcane).
- Each of ICAR's 5,521 scientists will develop a product, technology, model, concept, or significant publication.
- Out of the 323 varieties:
- 289 are developed to withstand climate challenges.
- 27 are enhanced with additional nutrients (biofortified).
9. Biogas Plants in Assam
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the construction of four Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants in Assam (Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Tinsukia).
About Biogas
- Renewable fuel formed when organic matter breaks down without oxygen (anaerobic digestion).
- Primarily composed of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
- Biogas produced includes 4 phases: hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis.
- Methane is the primary gas in biogas (45% - 75% by volume).
About Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG)
- Renewable fuel made from organic waste materials like agricultural residue, animal dung, food waste, and municipal solid waste.
- Biogas is purified to remove H₂S, CO₂, water vapor and compressed as CBG.
- CBG has methane content of more than 90%.
- Benefits: Converts organic waste into clean energy, reduces carbon emissions, creates local jobs, offers eco-friendly fuel alternative, enhances energy independence.
10. Nano DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate)
Context: The Finance Minister, in the Interim Budget 2024-25, announced the expansion of Nano DAP applications across various crops and agro-climatic zones.
- Launched: 2023 by IFFCO.
- Composition: Contains 8% Nitrogen and 16% Phosphorus by volume.
- Form: Liquid fertilizer (unlike traditional granular DAP).
- DAP is the second most widely used fertilizer in India after urea.
- DAP is produced by reacting ammonia with phosphoric acid.
Benefits of Nano-DAP
- Higher Efficiency: Particles smaller than 100 nanometers penetrate seeds and plant openings easily.
- Cost-Effectiveness: 500 ml bottle = 50-kg bag of conventional DAP; costs ₹600 vs ₹1,350.
- Convenience: Lightweight; eliminates bulky 50-kg bags.
- Reduction in Imports: India can reduce dependency on fertilizer imports by producing Nano DAP domestically.
Key Points:
- Nano DAP — launched 2023 by IFFCO; 8% N, 16% P
- 500 ml bottle = 50 kg conventional DAP; ₹600 vs ₹1,350
- Particles smaller than 100 nanometers
11. Digital Agriculture Mission
Context: Union Cabinet approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with an outlay of ₹2,817 crore.
- Objective: Establish a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture, modeled on Aadhaar and UPI.
- Implementation: Nationwide by 2025-26, targeting digital enrollment of 11 crore farmers.
- MoUs signed with 19 state governments.
Key Components
- AgriStack: Consists of three foundational registries:
- Farmers' Registry: Unique digital identity for farmers.
- Geo-Referenced Village Maps: Maps integrating geographic data with physical land locations.
- Crop Sown Registry: Seasonal crop data through mobile-based Digital Crop Surveys.
- Krishi Decision Support System (DSS): Combines data on crops, soil, weather, and water resources using geospatial technologies.
- Soil Profile Maps: Detailed maps at 1:10,000 scale covering 142 million hectares.
Benefits
- Streamlines access to government schemes, crop loans, and inputs.
- Provides real-time guidance on crop planning, health, and pest management.
- Enhances decision-making using data analytics, AI, and remote sensing.
- Facilitates transparency and reduces corruption through digital records.
- Establishes efficient value chains for inputs and post-harvest management.
Key Points:
- Digital Agriculture Mission — ₹2,817 crore; 11 crore farmers by 2025-26
- AgriStack: Farmers' Registry, Geo-referenced maps, Crop Sown Registry
- Krishi DSS, Soil Profile Maps (1:10,000 scale; 142 million hectares)
12. Digital Crop Survey & Krishi MApper
About Digital Crop Survey
- Method of collecting data on crops using digital tools such as visual and advanced analytics, GIS-GPS Technologies, and AI/ML.
- Provides "near real-time" information about crops.
- Data collected: village name, year, season, farmer ID, farm ID, crop name, crop variety, crop sown area, geotags of crop photos, farm boundary, sowing date, irrigation type, irrigation source.
- Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh — GPS-enabled mobile applications.
- Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh — digital data systems for crop area recording.
About Krishi MApper
- Integrated mobile application developed by the Indian government.
- Provides geospatial data and access to information on soil health, weather, and other relevant data for informed decision-making.
General Crop Estimation Survey Portal
- Provides real-time and comprehensive estimates of crop yield.
- Geo-referencing and uploading photos of the plot and crops.
13. District Agro-Meteorology Unit (DAMU)
Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is working on reinstating District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs) as part of the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) initiative.
- Established in 2018 by IMD in partnership with ICAR.
- Objective: Utilize weather data for developing and distributing agricultural advisories at the sub-district level.
- 200 District Agromet Units set up throughout India, located within Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
- Operations suspended in March 2024 following an IMD directive.
- DAMUs leveraged IMD's weather data (rainfall, temperature, wind speed) to generate agricultural advisories tailored to local conditions.
About GKMS
- Flagship initiative of IMD in collaboration with ICAR, state agricultural universities, IITs, and NGOs.
- Purpose: To develop and disseminate weather-based advisories for agriculture and allied sectors.
- Includes generating quantitative weather forecasts at district and block levels.
14. HSN Codes for Rice
Context: The Commerce and Industry Ministry is expanding the rice classification under HSN code to limit export curbs.
- HSN code stands for Harmonized System Nomenclature — globally recognized system for classifying traded goods.
- India uses an 8-digit HSN code instead of the typical 6-digit code.
- Developed by: World Customs Organization; first came into effect in 1988.
- In rice, HSN code is used to differentiate specific types of rice.
- India is developing separate HSN codes for GI tagged rice varieties.
15. India's First Round-the-Clock Grain ATM
Context: The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Odisha launched India's first round-the-clock grain dispensing machine, the 'Grain ATM', also known as 'Annapurti', in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- Aim: Enhance nutritional security by providing 24x7 access to rice and wheat.
- Designed to address issues in distribution through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- Can dispense grain up to 50 kilograms in five minutes, reducing waiting time by 70%.
- Energy Efficient: Can be connected to solar panels for automatic refilling.
- Odisha has become the first state in India to provide access to PDS beneficiaries 24 hours a day.
16. Urea Gold
Context: The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs approved the new fortified Urea combination — Sulphur Coated Urea (SCU), also called Urea Gold.
- Urea Gold is a non-organic slow-release fertilizer.
- Prepared by coating preheated urea granules with molten sulphur, forming a membrane that regulates nitrogen availability.
- Urea Gold has added humic acid to enhance the longevity of the fertiliser.
- 15 kg of Urea Gold equivalent to 20 kg of conventional urea (reduction in urea consumption by 25%).
- Normal urea: 46% nitrogen as a single plant nutrient.
- Urea Gold: 37% nitrogen and 17% sulphur.
Key Points:
- Urea Gold — Sulphur Coated Urea (SCU); slow-release fertilizer
- 15 kg Urea Gold = 20 kg conventional urea (25% reduction)
- 37% nitrogen + 17% sulphur (vs 46% nitrogen in normal urea)
17. Nitrogen-Use Efficiency (NUE)
Context: Indian scientists have identified significant natural variations in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) among different rice varieties.
- NUE: Ratio of nitrogen effectively used by crops to the nitrogen applied.
- High NUE varieties: Khira and CR Dhan 301 (long-duration); Dhala Heera (high NUE with shorter growth duration).
- Significance: Essential for optimizing crop yields, boosting productivity and profitability by reducing fertiliser costs and environmental impacts.
- Environmental Consequences: Inefficient nitrogen management contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (nitrous oxide) and water body eutrophication.
- Global Commitment: India is a signatory to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022), which mandates countries to halve nutrient waste from all sources by 2030.
Key Points:
- NUE — ratio of nitrogen used by crops to nitrogen applied
- High NUE varieties: Khira, CR Dhan 301, Dhala Heera
- India committed to halve nutrient waste by 2030 (Kunming-Montreal Framework)
18. Summary: Agriculture New Developments at a Glance
| Development | Key Feature | Organization/Year |
|---|---|---|
| UPAg | Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture | — |
| Speed Breeding Facility | 4+ generations/year; Mohali | NABI (2010, DBT) |
| Biocontrol Agent | Trichoderma asperellum for foot rot disease | PAU |
| Sweet Sorghum | 8,102 L/ha bioethanol; drought-resistant | — |
| DSR | 15-20% water savings; reduces methane | — |
| Biofortified Seeds | 109 varieties; 61 crops | ICAR |
| AgriSURE | ₹750 Cr AIF; NAB VENTURES | NABARD |
| One Scientist-One Product | 5,521 scientists; 323 varieties | ICAR |
| CBG Plants | 4 plants in Assam; >90% methane | — |
| Nano DAP | 8% N, 16% P; 500 ml = 50 kg bag | IFFCO (2023) |
| Digital Agriculture Mission | ₹2,817 Cr; 11 crore farmers by 2025-26 | MoA&FW |
| Grain ATM (Annapurti) | 50 kg in 5 min; 24x7; Odisha first state | WFP + Odisha Govt |
| Urea Gold | 37% N + 17% S; 25% reduction in urea use | CCEA |
| NUE | Nitrogen use efficiency; Kunming-Montreal commitment | — |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- NABI: First Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (2010, Mohali); Speed Breeding Facility (4+ generations/year)
- Foot Rot Disease: Bakane disease; Fusarium verticillioides; Trichoderma asperellum (biocontrol)
- Biofuel Crops: 1st (food crops), 2nd (non-food), 3rd (algae), 4th (GM crops)
- DSR: 15-20% water savings; reduces methane; 7-10 days earlier maturity
- Nano DAP (2023): 8% N, 16% P; 500 ml = 50 kg bag; ₹600 vs ₹1,350
- Digital Agriculture Mission: ₹2,817 Cr; AgriStack (Farmers' Registry, Geo-referenced maps, Crop Sown Registry)
- Urea Gold: 37% N + 17% S; 15 kg = 20 kg conventional urea (25% reduction)
- NUE: Kunming-Montreal Framework (2022) — halve nutrient waste by 2030
- Grain ATM: Odisha first state; 24x7 PDS access; 50 kg in 5 minutes
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Agriculture New Developments — Part II)
Q1. The National Speed Breeding Crop Facility is located at which institute?
Correct Answer: B. The National Speed Breeding Crop Facility was inaugurated at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) located in Mohali.
Q2. Which biocontrol agent has been introduced for foot rot disease in Basmati rice?
Correct Answer: B. Punjab Agricultural University introduced Trichoderma asperellum as a biocontrol agent to tackle foot rot disease in Basmati rice varieties.
Q3. Sweet Sorghum can yield how many liters of bioethanol per hectare?
Correct Answer: C. Sweet Sorghum is capable of yielding 8,102 liters of bioethanol per hectare, outperforming traditional crops like maize.
Q4. Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) can reduce water usage by:
Correct Answer: C. DSR reduces water usage by 15-20%, requiring 15-18 irrigation rounds compared to 25-27 rounds in traditional methods.
Q5. The AgriSURE Fund will be managed by:
Correct Answer: C. The AgriSURE Fund will be managed by NAB VENTURES, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NABARD. The fund is registered as a Category-II Alternative Investment Fund with SEBI.
Q6. Nano DAP contains what percentage of Nitrogen and Phosphorus?
Correct Answer: C. Nano DAP contains 8% Nitrogen and 16% Phosphorus by volume. It was launched in 2023 by IFFCO.
Q7. The Digital Agriculture Mission has an outlay of:
Correct Answer: C. The Digital Agriculture Mission has an outlay of ₹2,817 crore and targets digital enrollment of 11 crore farmers by 2025-26.
Q8. Urea Gold contains what percentage of Sulphur?
Correct Answer: C. Urea Gold has 37% nitrogen and 17% sulphur. 15 kg of Urea Gold is equivalent to 20 kg of conventional urea (25% reduction).
Q9. Which state became the first to provide 24x7 PDS access through Grain ATM?
Correct Answer: C. Odisha became the first state in India to provide access to PDS beneficiaries 24 hours a day through the 'Grain ATM' (Annapurti) launched in Bhubaneswar.
Q10. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework mandates countries to halve nutrient waste by:
Correct Answer: C. India is a signatory to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022), which mandates countries to halve their nutrient waste from all sources by 2030.