30-December-2023: National Transit Pass System, Darjeeling Orange Farmers Face Crisis, 85% Subsidy on Farm Drones for Women SHGs

30 December 2023

• Union Jal Shakti Minister Announces 85% Subsidy on Farm Drones for Women SHGs

  Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, during a public gathering in Jajjal and Sandoha villages as part of the Centre's Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, commended the novel initiative by the Central government to integrate drone technology into the agricultural sector, foreseeing it as a catalyst for further empowering women in the field. He also expressed that employing drones for spraying farm chemicals and seed sowing will lead to a significant reduction in cost inputs.

• Darjeeling Orange Farmers Face Crisis Amidst Tax Hurdles and Market Floods

  The Darjeeling orange is in a dilemma. Traders in Siliguri, central to the fruit trade, are experiencing significant losses due to a sharp decline in production. With production diminishing to a mere 20%, the future of this iconic fruit, remains uncertain, raising concerns about its continued existence. Every year from November to January, North Bengal witnessed a bustling trade in oranges, contributing crores of rupees to the regional economy.

• Bhupender Yadav Launches National Transit Pass System for Seamless Timber and Forest Produce Transport Across India

  Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Labour and Employment Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the National Transit Pass System (NTPS) pan-India, on December 29, 2023. This marks a significant step toward improving the ease of doing business and boosting transparency in the forestry industry. The NTPS aims to facilitate the seamless transit of timber, bamboo, and other forest produce across the country, replacing the current state-specific transit rules with a unified and online 'One Nation-One Pass' regime.

• 'Boosting Marketing Support Crucial for Local Farmers,' Says IAS Rakesh Ranjan at NABARD Agri Expo

  The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) concluded a three-day agricultural exhibition at Dilli Hatt, INA from December 27-29, 2023, centered around the theme 'Nurturing Collective Growth in Agriculture'. The event, supported by the Government of India's flagship scheme of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), aimed to elevate collective initiatives within the farming sector.