01-November-2022: Soil Pollution, New Sugarcane Variety, Arabica Coffee, BT Eggplant, Dairy Industry

1 November 2022

• Soil Pollution: Herbal Remedy for Radioactive Contamination of Soil

  Some of the human activities that are the leading causes of radioactive contamination of soil degradation are nuclear weapons testing, accidental releases, and inadequate radioactive waste disposal practises. According to a new study, a coastal herb can be used to rid the soil around nuclear plants of cesium, a radioactive byproduct of reactors. Sesuvium portulacastrum, also known as sea purslane, is a salt-tolerant, perennial flowering succulent that grows on sandy coastlines all over the world.

• New Sugarcane Variety- ‘Co86032’ Shown High Yield Potential During Farm Trials

  During farm trials in Marayur, a new sugarcane variety showed a lot of promise. Sugarcane Co86032 has been found to be more resistant to drought and pest attacks, as well as having a higher yield. The project was carried out in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the State Haritha Kerala Mission. According to officials, the pilot project was launched in 2021 as part of the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiatives (SSI). "SSI is a method of sugarcane cultivation that requires fewer seeds and less water, as well as optimal fertilizer and land utilization to increase yields," an official explained.

• Arabica Coffee Prices Drop Globally Ahead of Harvest

  Farmgate prices of arabica parchment in Karnataka, which had reached an all-time high of Rs 17,000 per 50-kg bag a few weeks ago, have now dropped to around Rs 14,000-14,500 levels for the new crop, a drop of around 15%. Fly picking, or the harvest of early ripened beans, has begun in parts of Kodagu and Chikkamagalur, two important arabica growing regions. Similarly, arabica cherry prices have fallen to around Rs 6,500-7,000 from around Rs 9,000-9,250 at the end of August, representing a 25% drop.

• Philippines Becomes the 2nd Country to Approve Commercial Production of BT Eggplant.

  The long wait is now over, as commercial production of the borer-resistant Bt Eggplant (Event EE-1) in the Philippines has been approved for October 2022. With this regulatory milestone, the Philippines becomes the world's second country, after Bangladesh, to permit commercial propagation of borer-resistant Bt eggplant. The Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture granted the "Biosafety Permit for Commercial Propagation (No. 22-001 Propa)" of Bt Eggplant (Event EE-1) to the University of the Philippines Los Banos under the DOST-DA-DENR-DOH-DILG Joint Department Circular (JDC) No. 1, Series of 2021. (UPLB).

• Dairy Rejected as a Component of Industry or Agri- Development: Gujarat High Court

  After National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) claimed that because it had provided long-term financial help to several dairies, it was exempt from paying direct tax in the amount of Rs 990 crore. When evaluating the board's 2003–2004 filings, the IT department declined to accept the reductions allowed by section 36(I)(ii) of the IT Act. The board reported a taxable income of Rs 81 crore in 2003–04, and the government issued a refund of almost Rs 15.61 crore. However, deductions of Rs. 9.90 crore were denied due to the fact that NDDB received public financial institution notification a year after they were requested.