The Cabinet has approved seven major schemes aimed at enhancing farmers’ lives and livelihoods, with a total outlay of ₹14,235.30 crore. This initiative addresses several pressing issues faced by the agricultural sector.

Current Status of Farmers’ Lives and Livelihoods

• Demographics: As of 2021, 65% of India's population resides in rural areas, with 47% dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.
• Income Levels: The average monthly income of Indian farmers was ₹10,218 in 2018-19, highlighting the economic challenges they face.

Issues and Constraints in Increasing Farmers' Livelihoods

• Technological Issues:
• Outdated Technology: Many farmers utilize outdated and inappropriate technology due to limited access to credit and low awareness. For example, only 47% of agricultural activities are mechanized in India, compared to 60% in China and 75% in Brazil.
• Research and Development: Agricultural research is hindered by inadequate resources, regulatory challenges, and issues with intellectual property rights (IPR). India allocates only 0.4% of its agricultural GDP to R&D, which is significantly lower than that of other countries like China, Brazil, and Israel.
• Access to Agricultural Credit:
• Many farmers, particularly tenant farmers, struggle to access institutional credit, which limits their ability to invest in better farming practices and technology.
• Natural Resource Management:
• Challenges include declining soil organic matter, excessive fertilizer use, water scarcity, and a substantial reliance on rainfed agriculture, which suffers from low water use efficiency.
• Supply Chain Issues:
• Inadequate Infrastructure: Approximately 30-35% of fruits and vegetables are lost throughout the supply chain due to inefficiencies in harvesting, storage, grading, transport, packaging, and distribution.
• Barriers to Exports: Non-tariff trade barriers, such as sanitary and phytosanitary measures and stringent import guidelines for agricultural and processed food products, hamper India’s export potential.
• Low Productivity:
• According to FAO reports, India’s rice yield is around 2.85 t/ha, significantly lower than China (4.7 t/ha) and Brazil (3.6 t/ha). Contributing factors include fragmented landholdings, inadequate irrigation facilities, soil degradation, and limited access to quality inputs.

Additional Issues Impacting Farmers

• Erratic Climate:
• The Government of India's economic survey (2018) estimated annual losses of $9-10 billion due to climate change impacts, affecting agricultural productivity and stability.
• Low Price Realization:
• There is a significant gap between farm harvest prices (FHP) and retail prices. In good production years, prices can fall below minimum support prices, causing agrarian distress among farmers.

How New Schemes Will Improve Farmers' Lives and Livelihoods

Leveraging Technology

• Digital Agriculture Mission: Aims to reduce yield loss through precision farming, helping identify suitable land for cultivation and optimizing land use.
• Weather Forecasting and Climate Modeling: Enhances farmers’ ability to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, promoting resilience.

Crop Science for Food and Nutritional Security

• High-Yielding and Climate-Resilient Varieties: Development of disease-resistant crop varieties using traditional and modern biotechnological methods (e.g., CRISPR).
• Biofortification: Addresses micronutrient deficiencies in populations, contributing to better health outcomes.

Agricultural Education and Outreach

• Strengthening Agricultural Education: Enhances understanding of rural development theories and improves policy formulation for infrastructure, credit, and market access.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): Improve access to quality technological products and facilitate extension activities to support farmers.

Focus on Key Sub-Sectors

• Livestock and Horticulture: Schemes aim to enhance productivity in these high-yield sectors sustainably, focusing on areas like dairy production and animal genetics.

Recommendations from the Ashok Dalwai Committee

• Transition to Farm Managers:
• Encourage farm owners to transition from being cultivators to managers by outsourcing farm operations, improving resource efficiency.
• Redefining Agriculture's Mandate:
• Expand agriculture’s role to include generating raw materials for various industries (chemicals, construction, energy).
• Promoting Secondary Agriculture:
• Encourage value-added activities that utilize farm-generated resources beyond primary yields.
• Fork to Farm Approach:
• Maximize monetization by enhancing agro-logistics, processing, and marketing systems.
• Increasing Variety Replacement Ratio (VRR):
• Phase out old seed varieties and replace them with hybrids and improved seeds across the country’s diverse agro-climatic zones.
• Water Management:
• Promote efficient water use through micro-irrigation techniques, groundwater recharge, and climate-based cropping systems.
• Sector Diversification:
• Shift focus from major cereals to a broader range of crops, including:
• Nutri-cereals, fruits, vegetables, flowers, pulses, and a mix of animal-based proteins (eggs, milk, meat, fish).

Conclusion

The new schemes and structural measures are designed to address the multifaceted challenges facing farmers in India, enhancing agricultural productivity, improving livelihoods, and fostering sustainable practices. By leveraging technology, improving education, and promoting diversification, these initiatives aim to create a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.

Antarctica is currently experiencing an unprecedented deep-winter heatwave, with temperatures soaring up to 28°C above normal. This alarming trend poses significant implications for the region and the global climate.

Key Points

• Record-Breaking Temperatures:
• Since mid-July, ground temperatures in Antarctica have averaged about 10°C higher than usual, with peaks reaching 28°C above average.
• Notably, in March 2022, East Antarctica recorded a dramatic temperature rise, with Concordia Station experiencing -12.2°C, which is an astonishing 40°C above the expected norm for that time.
• Current Conditions:
• As of July 2024, East Antarctica is seeing temperatures ranging from -25°C to -30°C, compared to the typical winter range of -50°C to -60°C. This stark increase marks a significant shift in climatic patterns.
• Causes:
• The primary driver of this heatwave is a weakened polar vortex. Normally, this atmospheric phenomenon helps to contain cold air over Antarctica, but disruptions have allowed warmer air to infiltrate the region.

Potential Consequences

• Accelerated Ice Melt:
• The ongoing heatwave could expedite the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet, contributing to rising sea levels. This poses threats to coastal communities worldwide and can lead to increased flooding and erosion.
• Global Climate Feedback:
• Such extreme weather events can trigger feedback mechanisms that further exacerbate global warming. For example, as ice melts, the reflective surfaces (albedo) diminish, allowing more solar energy to be absorbed by the ocean. This process can lead to additional warming, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.

Conclusion

The deep-winter heatwave in Antarctica represents a concerning shift in climate patterns with far-reaching consequences. As temperatures rise and ice melts, the impacts will extend beyond the continent, affecting global sea levels and contributing to climate change. Monitoring these developments is crucial for understanding and addressing the broader implications for the planet

• RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has been awarded an A+ rating in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2024.
• This marks his second consecutive year being rated A+ and ranking in the top 3 central bankers globally.

Role of Central Banks

• Central banks are crucial for:
• Regulating Monetary Policy: They control inflation, manage interest rates, and maintain financial system stability.
• Acting as Lender of Last Resort: Providing funds to commercial banks in financial distress to prevent systemic failures.
• Ensuring Price Stability: Aiming for stable prices to foster economic confidence.

Importance of Central Bank Governors

• Central bank governors shape monetary policy, ensure financial stability, and effectively communicate with the public.
• Their actions significantly influence overall economic performance.

About the Central Banker Report Cards

• Published annually by Global Finance since 1994.
• Assesses and grades the performance of central bank governors in 101 countries, territories, and regions.
• Also includes evaluations of entities like the European Union and various regional central banks.
• Recognizes governors whose strategies stand out for their originality and creativity.

Grading Criteria

• Grades range from A to F, based on:
• Inflation Control
• Economic Growth Goals
• Currency Stability
• Interest Rate Management
• An “A” grade indicates excellent performance, while an “F” denotes outright failure.

Conclusion

Shaktikanta Das’s consistent high rating reflects effective leadership and policy-making at the Reserve Bank of India, contributing to the country’s economic stability and growth.

India celebrated its Maiden National Space Day (NSD) on August 23, 2024, marking the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon. This special day commemorates India’s success in space exploration and the achievements of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Key Highlights of National Space Day (NSD)

• Chandrayaan-3's Achievement: On August 23, 2023, Chandrayaan-3 successfully executed a soft landing of the Vikram Lander on the lunar surface, making India the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to land near the Moon’s southern polar region.
• The landing site was named "Shiv Shakti Point" (Statio Shiv Shakti).
• This was followed by the deployment of the Pragyan Rover, which conducted experiments on the lunar surface.
• Theme: The theme for NSD 2024 was "Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga," reflecting how space technology is impacting everyday life in India.

India’s Space Saga

• First Satellite: India's space journey began in 1975 with the launch of Aryabhata, its first satellite, designed to study Earth’s atmosphere and radiation belts.
• Space Missions: As of January 2024, ISRO has completed 123 spacecraft missions and 95 launch missions.
• International Partnerships: India's space diplomacy has expanded with initiatives like the Artemis Accord, showcasing India’s growing role in the global space industry.
• Space Economy: India ranks as the 8th largest space economy globally, despite relatively limited resources compared to other major spacefaring nations.

Achievements of ISRO

• Visionary Leadership: Vikram Sarabhai, known as the "Father of Indian Space Program," laid the foundation of ISRO, emphasizing a bottom-up approach to achieve large-scale goals.
• Cost-Effective Missions: ISRO has focused on simplifying complex systems, reducing costs while maintaining strict quality control. For example, more than 30% of the components used in Chandrayaan-1 were later reused in other missions.
• Indigenous Technology Development: A significant focus has been on developing indigenous technology to reduce imports and promote self-reliance, exemplified by the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• Partnerships and Collaborations:
• Historical partnerships, such as the launch of Aryabhata by the Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket, laid the groundwork for future collaborations.
• Recent collaborations include the NASA-ISRO SAR Mission (NISAR) and astronaut training for the Gaganyaan mission in Russia.
• Engaging Private Players: ISRO has actively engaged local industries for designing, manufacturing, and testing of critical components. Many elements of Chandrayaan-3 were supplied by domestic industries.

Why Does India Invest in Space Missions?

• National Security and Self-Reliance:
• India’s NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), its regional navigation system, reduces dependence on foreign systems like the US GPS.
• Satellite systems help in border monitoring, military tracking, and intelligence gathering.
• Socio-Economic Benefits:
• Satellites provide services for crop mapping, natural disaster monitoring, and telemedicine in remote areas.
• Telecommunication technologies have connected rural areas, improving healthcare and education.
• Space Diplomacy: Projects like the South Asia Satellite enhance India’s regional influence and cooperation in space.
• Scientific Research: Missions like Chandrayaan-3 contribute to scientific knowledge by performing experiments on the Moon’s surface.
• Revenue Generation: The Indian space sector has generated $60 billion in revenue over the last decade (2014-2023) with a relatively modest investment of $13 billion.
• Multiplier Effect: For every dollar invested in the space sector, the Indian economy benefits from a multiplier effect of $2.54, demonstrating the substantial return on investment.

India's Space Diplomacy

India has increasingly utilized space diplomacy as a tool to foster international relations and cooperation. Space diplomacy involves leveraging space science and technology to achieve foreign policy goals, strengthen national space capabilities, and contribute to global peace and development.

Recent Developments in Space Diplomacy

• India-Nepal MoU for Munal Satellite:
• India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the launch of Nepal’s Munal Satellite, showcasing space as a means for strengthening diplomatic ties.
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) will use its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to deploy the satellite, underscoring India’s leadership in space technology in the region.

Key Aspects of Space Diplomacy for India

• Global South Cooperation:
• India has made strides in building space capabilities among Global South nations, promoting shared use of technology and space resources.
• By offering assistance in satellite development, launch services, and capacity building, India is fostering closer ties with developing nations that benefit from space technologies for communication, resource management, and disaster monitoring.
• National Security:
• Space diplomacy plays a crucial role in national security. For example, the India-US Space Situational Awareness Agreement enables India to access the U.S. radar and sensor network, which helps protect India's space assets from space debris and other risks.
• International Cooperation and Capacity Building:
• India is actively involved in capacity building by training scientists and engineers from other countries through programs like UNispace Nanosatellite Assembly & Training by ISRO (UNNATI). This initiative enhances the technical capabilities of foreign professionals in space science, contributing to global space knowledge.
• Partnerships like NASA-ISRO SAR Mission (NISAR) further bolster international collaboration.
• Commitment to Conflict-Free Outer Space:
• India is committed to ensuring that outer space remains conflict-free and used for peaceful purposes. The country has consistently advocated for responsible behavior in space, discouraging the weaponization of space and promoting transparency.

Challenges Facing India's Space Diplomacy

• Limited Private Participation: The role of private companies in India's space diplomacy is still underdeveloped, especially in comparison to global players like the USA and China.
• Few Deep Space Exploration Missions: India's space diplomacy could benefit from more deep space exploration missions, expanding its role in international space exploration efforts.
• Lack of Multilateral Space Partnerships: Although India has strong bilateral collaborations, multilateral space cooperation—particularly through international consortia or agreements—remains limited.

Conclusion

The success of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) serves as a powerful example for countries worldwide and various organizations within India. It illustrates that collaborative efforts and meticulous planning can lead to remarkable achievements in challenging fields like space exploration.

The Indian Space Policy-2023 is set to further enhance this legacy by facilitating greater integration of the private sector into the space domain. By fostering public-private partnerships, the policy aims to leverage innovative technologies and entrepreneurial spirit to achieve new milestones in space exploration, satellite deployment, and other related activities.

As India continues to make significant strides in its space endeavors, it not only strengthens its own position as a global player in the space sector but also inspires other nations and organizations to pursue ambitious goals through teamwork, innovation, and strategic planning. The ongoing commitment to space diplomacy and sustainable practices will ensure that India remains a beacon of progress and cooperation in the international space community.