15th March 2021, fruits production, pollution, water resource, Corona, farmers protest

15 March 2021

• Increase in mango production is anticipated

  Agriculture ministry has predicted that there will be an increase in production of mangoes this year. Overall fruit production in the country is expected to rise this year. Low production  of some fruits will be compensated by higher production of others.

• Agriculture responsible for a third of world pollution

  New studies have revealed that agriculture and related activities are responsible for a third of world's pollution. Agriculture is believed to be responsible for 70 percent of world's water pollution according to FAO. To control these we need to change diet patterns, adapt organic farming, improving drainage and minimize the use of chemicals in farming. You must try to grow pest resistant varieties as these will not require pesticides.

• Iraq and neighbors need to manage water resources better

  Agriculture and survival of humans depends heavily on management of water. Water as a resources is scarce in Arab countries and needs to be managed well for agri production. The increase in populations and decreasing water levels have set alarms going across these countries.

• Lockdown enforced in Mussourie

  Uttarakhand government has enforced lockdown in Mussourie, a hill station  quite popular with tourists. The reason for this is the increase in Corona cases. All shops and offices are to remain closed till notified. Essential items will be provided by the government.

• Protestors reach Gurugram

  The protesting farmers have planned a sit in at the railway station in Gurugram. Gurugram, formerly Gurgaon is a well known IT hub, although most of companies are closed due to lockdown and workers are working from home. The protestors will be able to block the physical networks but not the virtual ones.

• Rainfall-Runoff mathematical modeling technology

  This mathematical modeling technology allows you to predict floods 3 days in advance giving you ample time to protect yourself from these floods. Conventional statistical correlation methodology predicted floods 6-24 hours in advance. The very latest technologies are used for flood prediction. Information such as flood warnings are distributed through the CWC (Central Water Commission) website, social media and local government authorities.

• Task Force setup to classify Ayurvedic and other herbs

  There are very few and general HS codes (used for import, export activities) for ayurvedic and other herbal products. The government has decided to setup a Task Force to broaden the HS Codes so that they include the different types of herbs and plants. These will include herbal plants, medicinal plants and Indian System of Medicine products. These new HS codes will ease the export, import of these products.

• NMPB to promote medicinal plant farming

  National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) will promote medicinal plant farming. Government has launched certification scheme to certify quality medicinal plants raw material providers so as to boost the export of these plants.

• World divided over Corona Vaccine patents

  First world countries are opposed to waiving their patents on the Corona vaccines which they have developed. While the third world and other  countries are asking for waiving of these patents so that they can easily mass produce cheap vaccines to protect their citizens.  WHO is in the favour of waivers.