Why in the News?

The Union Cabinet recently approved the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) with a total outlay of ₹2,817 crore, aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape through technology.

About Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM)

• Overview: DAM is an umbrella scheme designed to leverage Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to enhance farmers' lives by integrating technology into agriculture.
• Alignment: The mission aligns with the Union Budget announcements for 2024-25 and 2023-24 focusing on the implementation of DPI in agriculture.

Key Features of the Mission

Foundational Pillars

• Agri Stack (Kisan ki Pehchaan):
• A farmer-centric digital identity system to streamline services and scheme delivery.
• Components:
• Farmers' Registry: Issuance of ‘Farmer IDs’ by State Governments/Union Territories, serving as trusted digital identities similar to Aadhaar.
• Geo-referenced Village Maps: Linking Farmer IDs to comprehensive farmer-related data, including land records and demographic details.
• Crop Sown Registry: A mobile-based Digital Crop Survey to maintain records of crops sown each season.
• Krishi Decision Support System (DSS):
• Integrates remote sensing data on crops, soil, weather, and water into a comprehensive geospatial system for informed decision-making.

Additional Initiatives

• Soil Profile Mapping: Creation of detailed soil profile maps on a 1:10,000 scale for approximately 142 million hectares of agricultural land.
• Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES): Provides scientifically estimated yield data based on crop-cutting experiments.

Key Targets

• Digital Identities: Create digital identities for 11 crore farmers over three years (6 crore in FY 2024-25, 3 crore in FY 2025-26, and 2 crore in FY 2026-27).
• Digital Crop Survey: Nationwide launch to cover 400 districts in FY 2024-25 and expand to all districts by FY 2025-26.

About Digital Agriculture

• Definition: The application of modern technology to enhance farm management, making it scientific and data-driven.
• Methods: Incorporates 'Precision Agriculture' and 'Smart Farming', alongside internal and external networking of farms and web-based data platforms with Big Data analytics.

Examples of Digital Technologies in Agriculture

• Drones: Utilized for anti-locust spraying in India to mitigate crop losses.
• Grain Bank Model (Ergos): Provides small and marginal farmers with end-to-end post-harvest supply chain solutions.
• Yuktix GreenSense: An off-grid remote monitoring solution for effective disease, pest, and irrigation management.

Significance of the Digital Agriculture Mission

• Informed Decision-Making for Farmers:
• The Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) will provide data that supports crop diversification and assesses irrigation needs, promoting sustainable agriculture.
• Enhanced Efficiency and Transparency:
• Accurate data on crop areas and yields will improve the efficiency of agricultural production and facilitate the implementation of government schemes such as crop insurance and loan disbursement.
• Loss Prevention and Increased Incomes:
• The generation and monitoring of crop maps will enhance disaster response and streamline insurance claims, helping to mitigate losses and boost farmers' incomes.
• Employment Opportunities:
• The mission is expected to create direct and indirect employment in agriculture, providing opportunities for approximately 2.5 lakh trained local youth and Krishi Sakhis.
• Improved Service Delivery:
• Farmers will benefit from easier access to government schemes, crop loans, and real-time advisories through modern technologies like data analytics, AI, and remote sensing.
• Digital authentication will streamline service access, reducing paperwork and the need for physical visits.
• Optimized Value Chains:
• Tailored advisory services will enhance crop planning, health management, pest control, and irrigation strategies.

Challenges for Effective Implementation

• Fragmentation of Agricultural Land:
• With an average landholding of only 1.08 hectares, the application of digital technologies is challenging, as these are often designed for larger farms.
• High Initial Costs:
• The implementation of digital agriculture necessitates significant investments in computing, storage, and processing infrastructure, which can limit scalability.
• Lack of Sufficient Research:
• There is a need for more research on the impact of technology on Indian farming and a clearer understanding of profitability.
• Inadequate Infrastructure:
• Rural areas often lack the necessary digital infrastructure, such as internet connectivity, which can impede the digitization process.
• Low Digital Literacy:
• Farmers may be hesitant to adopt new technologies due to a lack of understanding and trust, which also affects maintenance and grievance redressal.
• Language Barriers:
• The unavailability of technology interfaces in local languages can hinder access to digital services.

Initiatives for Promoting Digital Agriculture

• India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA): This framework aims to create an integrated database of farmers to facilitate innovative agri-focused solutions.
• National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A): Designed to provide free, relevant farming information to farmers.
• Market-Based Interventions: Platforms like e-NAM and AGMARKNET facilitate better market access.
• Use of Drones: Employed in land mapping and sensor-based smart agriculture programs.
• National Strategy on AI: Agriculture is recognized as a priority sector for AI applications (NITI Aayog).
• Farmer Applications: Mobile apps like PM-KISAN and Kisan Suvidha, as well as the HORTNET project for horticulture development, provide valuable resources to farmers.

Conclusion

To fully realize the benefits of digital agriculture, it is crucial to focus on affordability, accessibility, ease of operation, maintenance, timely grievance resolution, robust research and development, and supportive policies. The Digital Agriculture Mission represents a significant step toward enhancing farmers' lives and livelihoods.

Related News

The Union Minister of State for Agriculture launched the Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS), a geo-spatial platform providing real-time information on crop conditions, weather patterns, water resources, and soil health. Developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the Department of Space, this system utilizes satellite data for effective agricultural management.

Application of Space Technology in Agriculture

• Remote Sensing and Imagery: For early detection of pests and diseases, land use mapping, etc.
• Global Positioning System (GPS): For precision farming and livestock tracking.
• Communication Technologies: For real-time data dissemination.
• Weather Forecasting and Climate Modeling: For early warning systems and monitoring climate change impacts.

Other Initiatives for Space Technology in Agriculture

• FASAL Project: Forecasting agricultural output using space and ground-based observations.
• CHAMAN Project: Coordinated program for horticulture assessment using geoinformatics.
• KISAN Project: Crop insurance improvement using space technology and geoinformatics.

Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. These ancient and simple life forms play a critical role in maintaining Earth's ecosystems, particularly in marine environments. A recent study reveals that prokaryotes are highly resilient to climate change, which could lead to significant impacts on global carbon cycles and climate mitigation efforts.

Research Findings:

• Prokaryotes’ Oceanic Role:
  Prokaryotes account for about 30% of marine life, contributing significantly to ocean ecosystems.
• Impact on Carbon Cycling:
  Their resilience to climate change may hinder the oceans' ability to absorb carbon dioxide, potentially exacerbating global warming.
• Carbon Emissions: Prokaryotes produce about 20 billion tonnes of carbon annually in the upper 200 meters of the ocean, which is twice the amount produced by human activities.
• Implications for Net-Zero Emissions: If prokaryotes' carbon output increases due to climate change, it will reduce the oceans' ability to act as carbon sinks, complicating efforts to achieve global net-zero emissions.

Characteristics of Prokaryotes:

• Simplest Life Forms:
  Prokaryotes are among the most ancient life forms on Earth. They exist in various shapes:
• Cocci (spherical)
• Bacilli (rod-shaped)
• Spirilla (spiral-shaped)
• Lack of Nucleus and Organelles:
  Unlike eukaryotic cells, prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus to store their genetic material. Instead, their DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm. They also lack organelles like mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, which are present in eukaryotic cells.

Types of Prokaryotes:

• Bacteria:
  Bacteria are the most common prokaryotes, found in virtually every environment, from soil and water to extreme conditions such as hot springs and deep-sea vents.
• Archaea:
  Archaea are another group of prokaryotes, often found in extreme environments (e.g., high temperatures, salinity, or acidity), where they exhibit unique survival mechanisms.

Role of Prokaryotes in the Environment:

• Decomposers:
  Prokaryotes are essential decomposers, breaking down dead organic matter and recycling nutrients back into ecosystems.
• Nitrogen Fixation:
  Certain prokaryotes, such as Rhizobium, participate in nitrogen fixation, converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plants can use, which is crucial for agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Comparison Between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Additional Key Differences:

• Organelles:
  Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria and the Golgi apparatus, while eukaryotes possess them.
• Complexity:
  Prokaryotes are structurally simpler, with less compartmentalization of cellular functions compared to the more complex and specialized structure of eukaryotic cells.
• Ribosomes:
  Prokaryotic ribosomes (70S) are smaller than eukaryotic ribosomes (80S).

This distinction plays a critical role in various biological processes and the evolutionary complexity of organisms.

The movement of ballast water plays a crucial role in the spread of invasive marine species in coastal regions, especially in India. In the case of the charru mussel (Mytella strigata) along the coast of Ennore, Tamil Nadu, this issue has come to the forefront, raising environmental and economic concerns.

Ballast Water and Its Environmental Impact

• Ballast water is used by ships to maintain stability during transit. It is pumped into ships when they are not carrying cargo and then discharged when the ship takes on cargo.
• Ballast water often contains marine organisms, including bacteria, viruses, algae, and larvae of marine species. When discharged in foreign ecosystems, these organisms can establish themselves and become invasive.
• In India, ports like Kamarajar Port in Ennore are key entry points for ballast water, which has contributed to the introduction of invasive species like the charru mussel.

Case Study: Charru Mussels (Mytella strigata)

• Native to South America, the charru mussel has rapidly spread along the Ennore coast due to ballast water discharge from ships.
• These mussels form dense colonies, attaching to surfaces such as rocks, boats, and docks, and they outcompete native species for resources like space and food.
• Environmental Impact: They disrupt local marine ecosystems by displacing native species and altering the habitat.
• Economic and Social Impact: In Ennore, the spread of charru mussels has hindered fishing activities, obstructing the movement of fishing boats and impacting the livelihoods of local fishermen. The high reproduction rate and survival of these mussels in both saltwater and freshwater make them a significant threat.

Invasive Species and Global Trade

• Invasive species, like the charru mussel, are often spread through global trade and shipping activities, with ballast water being a major vector for their introduction.
• The spread of invasive species can cause severe ecological damage, leading to the extinction of native species, altering ecosystems, and impacting local economies dependent on marine resources.

Addressing the Ballast Water Issue

• Ports as facilitators: While ports like Kamarajar Port facilitate shipping activities, they currently lack regulations regarding ballast water management. This has allowed invasive species to proliferate unchecked.
• Legal Liability: Maritime law experts emphasize that ports cannot be held liable for invasive species unless a law exists to regulate ballast water discharge. Only if a vessel is proven to have pumped out contaminated ballast water can the vessel owner be held accountable under legal frameworks.

The Need for India to Join the BWM Convention

• Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention: To address the global threat of ballast water and invasive species, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) established the BWM Convention. This requires ships to manage their ballast water to prevent the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms.
• India's Gap: Currently, India is not a signatory to the BWM Convention, which leaves a regulatory gap in managing ballast water discharge. By joining the convention, India can enforce international standards for ballast water treatment and hold vessels accountable for introducing invasive species.
• Implementation of BWM: The adoption of the BWM Convention in India would allow the country to implement strict ballast water treatment standards at ports and monitor ballast water discharge, preventing the entry of invasive species like the charru mussel.

Law regulating movement of ballast water

The regulation of ballast water movement is primarily governed by international law through the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention is the key legal framework that regulates ballast water discharge to prevent the spread of invasive species. Here's an overview:

1. Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention

• Adopted in 2004 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the BWM Convention is an international treaty aimed at controlling and managing ships' ballast water and sediments to prevent the spread of invasive species.
• The convention entered into force on September 8, 2017.
• It requires all ships to implement a Ballast Water Management Plan, treat ballast water to meet specific standards, and maintain a Ballast Water Record Book.
• Ships must either exchange ballast water at sea or install systems to treat ballast water to remove or kill harmful organisms before discharging it.

Key Provisions:

• Ballast Water Exchange Standard (Regulation D-1): Ships must exchange ballast water at least 200 nautical miles from shore in water at least 200 meters deep to reduce the risk of introducing invasive species.
• Ballast Water Performance Standard (Regulation D-2): Ships must meet specific standards for ballast water discharge, ensuring that ballast water is treated to eliminate or neutralize living organisms.

2. India and Ballast Water Regulations

India is yet to fully implement national regulations specifically addressing the Ballast Water Management Convention, although it follows some IMO guidelines. However, Indian ports are still in the process of upgrading and adhering to the international standards for ballast water management.

India’s domestic law to regulate ballast water has not been fully developed, and the absence of legal enforcement under the BWM Convention has left gaps in effectively preventing the spread of invasive species via ballast water discharge. Until India becomes a signatory to the BWM Convention, its ports are not legally required to enforce ballast water treatment and discharge standards as laid out by the convention.

3. Other International Regulations

Apart from the BWM Convention, several regional initiatives and agreements also address ballast water movement and invasive species:

• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Advocates for national measures to prevent the spread of invasive species, including through ballast water.
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): Contains general obligations to protect the marine environment from pollution, including ballast water discharges.

4. The Way Forward for India

To effectively manage ballast water and prevent the introduction of invasive species like the charru mussel, India must ratify and implement the BWM Convention. This would require:

• Upgrading port infrastructure for ballast water treatment.
• Enforcing legal frameworks to hold ships accountable for untreated ballast water discharge.
• Monitoring and penalizing non-compliance by foreign and domestic vessels.

In conclusion, the BWM Convention is the key international legal instrument regulating ballast water discharge to protect marine ecosystems, and India's participation in it is critical to address challenges posed by invasive species in its waters.

The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

• Assassination Context:
• Haniyeh, a prominent figure of Hamas, was killed in Iran, which raises concerns about the safety of Hamas leaders even under Iranian protection.
• The incident follows recent tensions between Iran and Israel, suggesting a potential resurgence in hostilities.
• Impact on Middle East Dynamics:
• The assassination occurred shortly after an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed a Hezbollah commander, amplifying fears of a broader conflict in the region.
• Israeli Perspective:
• For Israel, this represents a strategic victory in its efforts to dismantle Hamas, especially following the October 7 attacks that resulted in significant Israeli casualties.
• Haniyeh's death is viewed as a key milestone in Israel's Operation Swords of Iron.
• Hamas's Reaction:
• Hamas sees this as a provocation, as Haniyeh was instrumental in negotiations regarding hostages and ceasefire terms.
• His assassination could lead to intensified retaliation from Hamas.

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh has created significant pressure on the newly elected Iranian President, Pezeshkian.

• Pressure for Retaliation:
• Both within Iran and among Hamas supporters, there will be strong calls for avenging Haniyeh's death, putting Pezeshkian in a difficult position. He may face demands from hardliners and the IRGC to take a strong retaliatory stance.
• Shift in Policy Focus:
• Pezeshkian’s election campaign centered on negotiating with the West to alleviate economic sanctions. The assassination complicates these diplomatic efforts, as responding to the incident may take precedence over negotiations.
• Regional Tensions:
• The assassination is likely to escalate tensions in West Asia, impacting countries like Qatar, Turkey, and the Yemeni Houthis, who have condemned the act. Regional players, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are closely monitoring the situation.
• India's Cautious Approach:
• India is likely to frame its response carefully, given the complexities of international relations involved in a targeted assassination. India's primary concern remains regional stability, crucial for its expatriate community and oil supplies

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has escalated significantly, raising concerns about its global economic impact. Bloomberg outlines three potential scenarios:

1. Limited Conflict in Gaza

• Description: The conflict stays mainly within the Gaza Strip.
• Potential Effects:
• Minimal direct impact on the global economy.
• Increased humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with casualties rising significantly.

2. Regional Conflict with Iran-backed Militants

• Description: The conflict expands to involve Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
• Potential Effects:
• Escalation of violence and instability in the region.
• Oil prices could rise to the mid-USD 90s.
• Global inflation rates may increase, potentially reducing economic growth by 0.3 percentage points.

3. Full-scale War Involving Israel, Iran, and Major Powers

• Description: A broader conflict involving Israel, Iran, and potentially major powers like the U.S., China, and Russia.
• Potential Effects:
• Disruption of trade and crude oil supply from the Middle East, with prices potentially soaring to USD 150 per barrel.
• Global inflation could reach about 6.7% in 2024, potentially slowing global economic growth by nearly 2 percentage points, risking a worldwide recession.