General Studies- II
Topic- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Soil Health Card scheme
Context
Soil Health Card scheme of Central Govt: A success story
About
- According to the National Productivity Council (NPC), the Soil Health Card scheme has led to a decline of 8-10% in the use of chemical fertilizers and also raised productivity by 5-6%.
- Under the Phase-I (2015-17) of the scheme, 10.74 crore cards were distributed.
- while under the Phase-II (2017-19), 11.69 crore cards have been distributed.
- A pilot project, ‘Development of Model Villages’ is also being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in the financial year 2019-20.
About Soil Health Card (SHC)
- Soil Health Card (SHC) is a Government of India’s scheme promoted by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
- Implemented through the Department of Agriculture of all the State and Union Territory Governments.
- It was introduced on December 5, 2015.
Objective of SHC
- A SHC is meant to give each farmer soil nutrient status of his/her holding.
- Advice him/her on the dosage of fertilizers and also the needed soil amendments, that s/he should apply to maintain soil health in the long run.
What is a Soil Health Card?
- SHC is a printed report that a farmer will be handed over for each of his holdings.
- It will contain the status of his soil with respect to 12 parameters, namely:
- N,P,K (Macro-nutrients);
- S (Secondary- nutrient);
- Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo (Micro – nutrients); and
- pH, EC, OC (Physical parameters).
- Based on this, the SHC will also indicate fertilizer recommendations and soil amendment required for the farm.
How can a farmer use a SHC?
- The card will contain an advisory based on the soil nutrient status of a farmer’s holding.
- It will show recommendations on dosage of different nutrients needed.
- Further, it will advise the farmer on the fertilizers and their quantities he should apply, and also the soil amendments that he should undertake, so as to realize optimal yields.
- SHC will be made available once in a cycle of 3 years.
- The SHC given in the next cycle of 3 years will be able to record the changes in the soil health for that subsequent period.
Soil sample and testing
- Soil samples will be drawn in a grid of 2.5 ha in irrigated area and 10 ha in rain- fed area with the help of GPS tools and revenue maps.
- Soil Samples are taken generally two times in a year, after harvesting of Rabi and Kharif Crop respectively or when there is no standing crop in the field.
- Soil Samples will be collected by a trained person from a depth of 15-20 cm by cutting the soil in a “V” shape.
- It will then be transferred to soil test laboratory for analysis.
What is a soil test laboratory?
- It is a facility for testing the soil sample for 12 parameters.
- This facility can be static or mobile or it can even be portable to be used in remote areas.
- At the STLs owned by the Department of Agriculture and by their own staff.
- At the STLs owned by the Department of Agriculture but by the staff of the outsourced agency.
- At the STLs owned by the outsourced agency and by their staff.
- At ICAR Institutions including KVKs and SAUs.
- At the laboratories of the Science Colleges/Universities by the students under supervision of a Professor/ Scientist.
Significance of SHC
- The scheme provides for the analysis of soil composition by the State Governments once in every two years so that remedial steps can be taken to improve soil nutrients.
- Farmers can track their soil samples and also obtain their Soil Health Card report.
- While the Soil Health Management Scheme has turned out to be a blessing for the farmers, it is also creating jobs for the agrarian youth.
- Under the scheme village youth and farmers up to 40 years of age are eligible to set up Soil Health Laboratories and undertake testing.
- A laboratory costs up to Rupees Five Lakhs, 75% of which can be funded by the Central and State Governments.
- The same provisions apply to Self Help Groups, Farmers’ Cooperative Societies, Farmers Groups and Agricultural Producing Organisations.
General Studies- II
Topic– Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave
Context
Lucknow Declaration Adopted at the 1st India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave, 2020.
About
- The first India-Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave held in Lucknow on February 06.
- Lucknow Declaration Adopted at the 1st India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave coinciding with DefExpo-2020.
Highlights of Lucknow Declaration
- The first ever India Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave held during the 11th edition of the biennial defence exhibition DEFEXPO INDIA 2020 at Lucknow, India on 6th February 2020.
- India’s contribution to defence and security in the African continent through setting up of Defence Academies and Colleges, deployment of training teams in several African countries, were acknowledged and appreciated.
- The ‘Lucknow Declaration’ states that-
All the signatories “commit to continue our collaboration in the fields of peace and security including conflict prevention, resolution, management and peace building through exchange of expertise and training, strengthening regional and continental early warning capacities and mechanisms, enhancing the role of women in peace keeping and propagating the culture of peace”.
Terrorism
- The declaration said the signatories ‘condemn, in the strongest terms, the growing threat of terrorism and acknowledge that it constitutes a major threat to peace and security in the region’.
- all countries to take resolute action in rooting out terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and eliminating financing channels and halting cross-border movement of terrorists.
Cooperation
- The declaration also stated that all member countries ‘encourage enhanced cooperation between India and Africa on the evolving concept of Indo-Pacific’
- Welcome the AU (African Union) vision for peace and security in Africa that coincides with India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region)”.
For Prelims
International Gandhi Awards for Leprosy
Highlights
- President of India Presented International Gandhi Awards for Leprosy.
- Dr N.S. Dharmashaktu received the award under the individual category.
- The Leprosy Mission Trust under the institutional category.
- Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation has instituted the award titled “International Gandhi Award” in 1986.
- Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation is a pioneering organisation established in 1951.
India International Seafood Show
Highlights
- 22nd edition of India International Seafood Show (IISS) 2020 was organized in Kochi.
- The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), under Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in association with the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) was the organizer.
- Theme for 2020 is: “Blue Revolution- Beyond Production to Value Addition”.
- It is biennially (occurring every two years) event Held.
- It is one of the oldest and largest seafood events in the world.
- The 21st edition of IISS was held in Goa in January 2018.
