Why It’s in the News

The Indian Cabinet has approved a significant scheme for the sustainable development of horticulture with a budget of Rs 1129.30 crore. This initiative aims to enhance farmers' income through a variety of horticultural crops, including tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, root, tuber, bulbous, vegetable, floriculture, and more. Additionally, a Rs 1,766-crore Clean Plant Programme (CPP) has been sanctioned under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to further support the sector.

Key Components of the Clean Plant Programme (CPP)

• Objective: To promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce reliance on imported planting materials, aligning with the Mission LiFE and One Health initiatives.
• Implementing Agencies: The National Horticulture Board and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
• Core Components:
• Establishment of 9 Clean Plant Centers equipped with advanced diagnostic and tissue culture labs.
• Development of a Certification Framework supported by regulations under the Seeds Act, 1966.
• Support for large-scale nurseries to improve infrastructure.

About the Horticulture Sector

The horticulture sector encompasses the cultivation, production, processing, and marketing of a wide range of plants, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. Major types include:

• Pomology: Fruit cultivation, including viticulture (grape cultivation).
• Olericulture: Vegetable cultivation.
• Floriculture: Flower and ornamental plant cultivation.
• Arboriculture: Cultivation of trees and shrubs.

Current Status

• Production: In 2022-23, India produced 355.48 million tonnes of horticultural products, constituting 13.1% of the gross cropped area. Fruits and vegetables account for nearly 90% of this production.
• Global Ranking: India ranks 2nd globally in fruit and vegetable production, following China. The country is the largest producer of onions, ginger, and okra, and ranks first in bananas, mangoes, and papayas.
• Exports: India holds the 14th position in vegetable exports and 23rd in fruit exports.

Initiatives to Support the Sector

• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (2014): A centrally sponsored scheme focusing on holistic growth through various sub-schemes.
• Rs 18,000 crore investment for 100 export-oriented horticulture clusters.
• CHAMAN Program: A coordinated effort to estimate the area and production of horticultural crops using geoinformatics.
• Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme: Support for building cold storage and other infrastructure for horticultural products.

Challenges Facing the Sector

• Low Export Share: India’s global horticultural market share is only 1%, with issues such as pesticide residue causing rejections in key markets.
• Infrastructure Deficit: Inadequate cold storage and logistics contribute to high post-harvest losses.
• Small Landholdings: Fragmented land limits cultivation and sustainable practices.
• Additional Challenges: Limited value addition, irrigation issues, pests and diseases, climate change impacts, and lack of access to credit for small farmers.

Way Forward

• Capacity Building: Initiatives to help farmers, processors, and exporters meet international standards.
• Value Chain Efficiency: Expanding cold storage and improving transport infrastructure to minimize losses.
• Encouraging Entrepreneurship: Creating job opportunities and new businesses in the sector.
• Adopting Agricultural Technologies: Implementing precision agriculture, hydroponics, and tissue culture for better productivity.
• Climate-Smart Practices: Promoting resilient agricultural techniques and integrated pest management.

This comprehensive approach aims to boost the horticulture sector in India, ensuring sustainable growth and increased income for farmers.

Azerbaijan has launched the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) as part of its initiatives for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP29). This fund aims to enhance climate resilience and support sustainable development in developing countries.

Key Features of CFAF

• Headquarters: Located in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Purpose:
• The CFAF is designed to support climate projects in developing nations.
• It aims to help these countries meet their next generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), crucial for maintaining the global temperature rise within 1.5°C.
• The fund will also address the impacts of natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.
• Funding Sources:
• The CFAF will be capitalized through contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies involved in oil, gas, and coal sectors.
• Operational Status:
• The fund will become operational after completing an initial fundraising round of $1 billion and securing commitments from at least 10 contributing countries as shareholders.

Conclusion

The establishment of the Climate Finance Action Fund represents a significant step towards mobilizing resources for climate action in developing countries. By leveraging contributions from fossil fuel sectors, the CFAF aims to support the implementation of ambitious climate goals and enhance resilience against climate-related challenges.

Recent studies highlight the significant role of osmolytes in helping proteins maintain their structure and function under stressful conditions. These small organic molecules are gaining attention for their potential therapeutic applications, especially in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

What are Osmolytes?

• Definition: Osmolytes are small organic molecules that are accumulated in tissues and play a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis—the balance of physiological systems necessary for survival and proper functioning.
• Functions:
• Protein Stability: Osmolytes assist proteins in maintaining their correct structure and functionality, particularly under stress conditions like high temperatures, extreme pH, or high osmotic pressure.
• Osmotic Balance: They help organisms adapt to environments with varying osmotic pressures, which is especially crucial for marine organisms, desert plants, and the human kidneys.
• Examples of Osmolytes:
• Amino Acids: Glycine
• Sugars and Polyols: Glycerol, Sorbitol
• Methylamines: Betaine, Sarcosine
• Methyl Sulfonium Compounds: Such as dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP)

Functions of Osmolytes

• Osmotic Balance: Maintain proper osmotic pressure within cells, crucial for cellular function.
• Protein Stability: Prevent protein denaturation and misfolding, enhancing protein function during stress.
• Viscosity Regulation: Influence the viscosity of cellular environments, impacting biochemical reactions.

Osmolytes and Disease Protection

• Kidney Function:
• In the renal medulla, where cells face high osmolarity, osmolytes help maintain cellular integrity. Imbalances in osmolytes can lead to kidney diseases and impair the kidneys' ability to concentrate urine.
• Neuroprotection:
• Osmolytes like myo-inositol and taurine play a protective role in neurons against osmotic stress and are involved in important cellular signaling pathways. Their presence is vital for maintaining brain health, especially under stress.
• Cancer:
• Altered levels of osmolytes have been observed in certain cancers. They may aid in the survival and proliferation of cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment, suggesting a role in cancer biology.

Applications of Osmolytes

• Medicine:
• Osmolytes can be utilized in developing therapeutic drugs for conditions like neurodegenerative diseases, where protein misfolding is a critical factor.
• Biotechnology:
• They can improve protein stability in industrial applications, enhancing the functionality of enzymes and other proteins used in various processes.
• Agriculture:
• Osmolytes can be harnessed to enhance crop resilience to drought and salinity, helping plants adapt to challenging environmental conditions.

Conclusion

Osmolytes are vital organic molecules that play essential roles in cellular homeostasis, particularly under stressful conditions. Their ability to stabilize proteins and maintain osmotic balance is crucial for the health of various organisms, including humans. With ongoing research, osmolytes may hold promise for therapeutic applications in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture, offering innovative solutions to some of today's most pressing challenges.

Galathea Bay is a significant wildlife sanctuary located on Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. It is known for its rich biodiversity and ecological importance, particularly as a habitat for various endangered species.

Key Features

• Location: Galathea Bay is situated on the southern part of Great Nicobar Island, surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches.
• Biodiversity: The sanctuary is renowned for its diverse flora and fauna, making it a vital ecological zone.

Notable Species

• Leatherback Turtle:
• Galathea Bay is one of the largest nesting sites for the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the largest species of sea turtle.
• The nesting season attracts conservationists and researchers focused on protecting these endangered turtles.
• Endemic Fauna:
• The area is home to several endemic species, including:
• Nicobar Tree Shrew: A small mammal unique to the Nicobar Islands.
• Nicobar Pigeon: A striking bird known for its vibrant plumage and significant cultural symbolism in the region.

Environmental Importance

• Habitat Protection: The sanctuary provides crucial habitats for various wildlife, supporting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
• Conservation Efforts: Various conservation initiatives have been undertaken to protect the unique biodiversity of Galathea Bay, focusing on habitat preservation and species protection.

Recent Developments

• Denotification for Development: The sanctuary was recently denotified to facilitate the establishment of a transhipment port project. This decision has raised concerns among environmentalists and conservationists about the potential impact on the delicate ecosystem and the species that inhabit the are