Media Monitor
Agriculture Industry
Punjab: Paddy-wheat to timber, strategic shift to agroforestry pays dividendsedit
The New Indian Express – Online
For five years, 13,039 farmers across Punjab have been into agroforestry, which has emerged as one of the viable alternatives for diversification from the paddy-wheat cycle. In half a decade, 1.50 crore saplings have been planted, for which farmers have been given financial assistance through direct benefit transfer via Aadhar-linked accounts. Each farmer received the aid based on saplings planted by him in his fields. Survival of saplings was ascertained by geo-tagging. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare began the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) in 2016-17 under the umbrella of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture. The mission’s focus is to enhance the income of farmers and also diversify land use from ...
Monsoon + Indian Agriculture
Southwest monsoon revives after a second break phaseedit
The Economic Times – Online
After a second break phase, the southwest monsoon has revived. Monsoon winds have gained strength over north, central, and southern parts of the country, bringing above normal rain NSE -3.66 % since Thursday. The coming weeks will be crucial in making up the 8% shortfall in rain, primarily caused due to the first break phase that lasted for three weeks and only ended by July 10. Till August 21, 33% of India by acreage was yet to receive adequate rainfall, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Stubble Burning
Stubble burning: Air quality commission asks states to follow protocol developed by ISROedit
Hindustan Times – Online
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) asked Delhi and its neighbouring states to adopt a protocol developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for estimation of crop residue burning fire events. The protocol developed by the ISRO estimates these events using satellite data. The CAQM asked the governments of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to develop a time-bound comprehensive action plan in collaboration with stakeholder agencies responsible for monitoring and reporting of events related to agriculture residue burning. The CAQM is responsible for executing plans to prevent and control air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region and adjoining areas.