23-November-2022: PM Kisan, Nurture.farm, Agri-tech Startup, Goat Manure, ICAR, COP27

23 November 2022

• nurture.farm Launches 'Kavach Bhav Guarantee' to Protect Farmers Against Market Price Fluctuations

  The Kavach Bhav Guarantee product aims to help farmers get fair value for their produce and minimize financial losses in case of price fluctuations. While it is difficult to predict the mandi prices for different crops as these prices depend on a large number of variables, nurture.farm has created a risk cover mechanism through which the farmer is compensated for the fluctuations in prices of their end produce. The advantages of the Bhav Guarantee product offering include an index-based trigger, shorter disbursal window, and direct transfer of the compensation amount to the farmer's bank account.

• “J&K has Enormous Potential to Become Agri-tech Startup Hub:" Jitendra Singh

  "The bamboo grown in Jammu can be converted into several useful products, including incense sticks," said Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh. Fruits such as apples and strawberries can extend their shelf lives by establishing cold-chain facilities and implementing technological interventions. "Non-timber forest produce (NTFP) such as guchis, mushrooms, and other medicinal plants are plentiful in Jammu and Kashmir. Good quality honey and NTFPs can be found in the Chenab valley or the Pir Panjaal region (Rajouri, Poonch). These, however, are not adequately marketed.

   

• Goat Manure: Advantages, Disadvantages, and How to Make Organic Compost at Home

  Different kinds of animal manure contain varying amounts of macronutrients, therefore they must be properly composted for use and applied at various rates to avoid harming plants by applying too much of one nutrient or another. Goat manure is much easier to spread and work with because it has a far lower odor than other types of manure and is much drier also.  The primary source of side income that can be produced on a goat farm is compost made from manure. Animal and plant wastes are called manures and are utilized as a source of plant fertilizer. As the manure breaks down, nutrients are released. These are complex organic compounds that are derived from plant, animal, and human residues and contain plant nutrients.

• Farmers Urge Government to Increase PM Kisan Amount & Provide DBT for Fertilizer Subsidy

  Farmers groups on Tuesday (22 November) proposed several measures including increasing financial assistance to farmers under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, DBT for fertilizer subsidy, and a policy to forbid the import of agricultural commodities where landed costs are less than the minimum support price announced by the government. During the pre-Budget consultations organized by the finance ministry with the experts in agriculture and agro-food processing industry, farmers requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to examine all government schemes by the beneficiaries for ensuring the optimum delivery of funds.

• Western Sydney University to Work With ICAR to Increase Research on Climate-Smart Agriculture

  The University has signed agreements with 7 state agricultural universities, with the goal to increase research on climate-smart agriculture and improve India's food security. Thought leaders including Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities, Dr. Sharad K. Jain, Former Director of the National Institute of Hydrology in Roorkee, Anuj Agarwal, Chief Operating Officer of the ICICI Foundation, Srivalli Krishnan, Senior Program Officer - Global Development of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Karlene Maywald, South Australian Water Ambassador, signed the agreement in New Delhi at Western Sydney University’s SDG Forum.

• COP27: Danfoss Highlights the Massive Gap Between Energy Demand and Supply from Renewables

  A new whitepaper from Danfoss, the engineering company controlled by the Danish family, highlights the sharp rise in global energy demand and makes the case that, absent urgent action to reduce energy demand, the development of renewable energy sources will not be enough to meet the needs of a growing population. Danfoss said it aims to provide actionable policy proposals for urgent action that governmental, business, and community leaders must take into consideration before, during, and after COP27 as the world leaders discussed during COP27 in Egypt.