18th March 2021, Artificial photosynthesis, soil fertility, mechanization, bumper harvest, farmers protest, corona pandemic

18 March 2021

• Artificial photosynthesis to improve air quality

  Indian scientists have developed an integrated catalytic system which working on the principles of photosynthesis will consume sunlight to generate solar energy. It will also convert Carbon dioxide into Carbon mono oxide. This will purify the air by reducing Carbon dioxide present in the air and the by-product Carbon mono Oxide can be used as fuel.

• Governments schemes to improve soil fertility

  Under the SHC (Soil Health Card) and SHM (Soil Health Management) schemes the Government is aiding and training the farmers in improving the quality of the soil that the farmers work on. The soil is analyzed for its contents and then suggestions in terms of fertilizers (organic or inorganic) and  other methods to improve the soil quality are suggested.

• Selected farmers funded for mechanization

  The government is funding the purchase of machines for selected farmers. The criteria for selection is the land that has potential for agricultural growth. Government spent over RS 6100 Crores in the last three financial year to provide the right machines to these farmers.

• Australia expecting second bumper harvest of wheat

  Australia had bumper harvest of wheat last year and are expecting bumper harvest again this year. This has been possible due to good moisture levels in the soil. Australia is among the top five suppliers of the grain.

• Protesting farmers to be vaccinated

  The farmers protesting on the Haryana side of the border are to be vaccinated, for protection against Corona, as ordered by the Chief Minister of the state. The location and timings for these vaccinations are being finalized.

• No solution for polluted Yamuna

  Yamuna river is heavily polluted by drains in Delhi, hence it's waters get heavily polluted even before crossing Delhi. Only monsoon provides some respite with fresh water, but even this water is not clear enough for use by humans. Delhi Government  has launched a number of initiatives to solve this problem, but none have succeeded.

• Rainwater harvesting campaigns in India

  India either gets excessive or too less rain every monsoon or seasonal rains. Government has taken a number of initiatives which have been implemented with the help of State governments for Rainwater harvesting. Rain harvesting structures are being raised according to the climate and soil of the regions of these states.

• India aims at self sufficiency which will reduce imports

  India is aiming to achieve self sufficiency in agricultural sector and reducing dependency on imports. India will be able to do this by producing these goods and hence there will be no need for imports. India every year depends on imports of pulses, oils, fruits and spices among other agricultural items. Government has launched a number of schemes to increase the production of these items in India.

• Australia invites fruit pickers from abroad

  South Australia has invited 1200 fruit pickers from South Pacific region. The reason for this is that not enough locals are responding to the advertisements and hence these foreign workers are being invited to Australia for these tasks. They all will be tested for Corona and put in quarantine for the prescribed period.

• Meghalaya Governor shows support for agitating farmers

  Meghalaya Governor, Satya Pal Malik, has declared that he fully supports the agitating farmers. He is a BJP member and believes that government will loose support in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan if it continues its policy of ignoring the farmers.