13-February-2024: PM-KISAN- CSC Launches e-KYC Campaign, ICRISAT, Free Drone Pilot Training Program, IARI, PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana

13 February 2024

• PM-KISAN: CSC Launches e-KYC Campaign to Ensure Farmers Get Dues, says Sanjay Rakesh MD & CEO of CSC SPV

  The PM-Kisan scheme has disbursed over Rs. 2.81 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmer families nationwide. To be eligible for benefits under the PM-KISAN scheme, farmers must own cultivable land, have bank accounts linked to Aadhaar, and have completed their eKYC. The Ministry has implemented various measures to facilitate the identification and verification of eligible farmers, including: Establishment of the PM-KISAN Portal and Mobile App with a Know Your Status (KYS) module, Provision of self-registration and face authentication eKYC facilities, Collaboration with CSCs and IPPB for farmer registration and Aadhaar linking of bank accounts.

• ICRISAT Launched Course on Starting Small Scale Food Processing Enterprises in the Millet Value Chain

  The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will hold a specialized course titled ‘Starting Small Scale Food Processing Enterprises in the Millet Value Chain’ aimed at empowering women and youth in the millet value chain from February 11 to March 2, 2024. The course is being organized with support from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). The larger goal of encouraging sustainable agricultural and economic development is in line with this endeavor.

• Haryana Govt Launches Free Drone Pilot Training Program for Farmers and Youth; Apply Before Feb 19

  In recent years, the agricultural sector has witnessed rapid technological development, with drones emerging as a pivotal tool for precision farming. The Haryana government has launched a program to provide free drone piloting instruction to the state's youth and farmers, marking a big step towards embracing technological improvements in agriculture. This program aims to equip individuals with the necessary skills to operate drones effectively, thus facilitating enhanced efficiency and productivity in agricultural practices.

• IARI Celebrates Prof. M S Swaminathan's Bharat Ratna Award Conferment

  The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi hosted a momentous celebration to honor Professor M S Swaminathan, the esteemed agricultural scientist and pioneer of the Green Revolution in India, on being awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna. The event, attended by eminent dignitaries and scholars, commemorated Prof. Swaminathan's outstanding contributions to agricultural research and sustainable development.

• PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana: 300 Units Free Monthly Electricity for 1 Crore Households

  In a bid to accelerate the adoption of solar power across India and foster sustainable development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the renaming of the government's revamped rooftop solar scheme to 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana' on February 13. The initiative aims to solarize one crore households in the country, as a strategic move ahead of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections.

• ICAR-IISWC Launches Special Training Course on Soil-Water Conservation for IFS Probationers

  The Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC) aims to foster sustainable resource management by inaugurating a specialised training course tailored for Indian Forest Service (IFS) Probationers. The training program, focused on Soil-Water Conservation and Watershed Management, commenced at the prestigious Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) in Dehradun on February 12, 2024.