Current Affair 1:

Ground Water Resource Assessment Report 2023

 

Ground Water Resource Assessment is carried out at periodical intervals jointly by State Ground Water Departments and Central Ground Water Board under the guidance of the respective State Level Committee on Ground Water Assessment at State Levels and under the overall supervision of the Central Level Expert Group (CLEG).

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is the apex organization of the Ministry of Jal Shakti dealing with ground water and related issues.

Such joint exercises have been taken up earlier in 1980, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2020 and 2022. From 2022, the exercise is being carried out annually.

Now report:

As per the 2023 assessment report, the total annual ground water recharge for the entire country is 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM), marking an increase of 11.48 BCM compared to the previous year (2022) and annual ground water extraction for the entire country is 241.34 BCM.

Further, out of the total 6553 assessment units in the country, 736 units have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’.

Current Affair 2:

Agroforestry in India

 

News:

The Government is cognizant that blending of farming and forestry has number of advantages.  Therefore, keeping in view the importance of Agroforestry, a land use system that integrates trees and shrubs on farmlands and rural landscapes to enhance productivity, profitability, diversity and ecosystem sustainability, natural resource management system through integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production and builds social institutions; the Government has formulated the National Agroforestry Policy-2014.

The policy envisages encouraging and expanding tree plantation in complementarity and integrated manner with crops and livestock to improve productivity, employment, income and livelihoods of rural households, especially the smallholder farmers.

As recommended in the National Agroforestry Policy; Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) was launched in the year 2016-17 to encourage tree plantation on farm land with the aim of “Har Medh Par Ped”, along with crops/ cropping system to help the farmers get additional income.

Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) was implemented from 2016-17 to 2021-22. Presently, the restructured Agroforestry Component is being implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and focuses on Quality Planting Material.

Agroforestry is known to have the potential to mitigate the climate change effects through microclimate moderation, conservation of natural resources and creation of an additional source of livelihood and income opportunities.

The scheme is implemented with objectives to encourage and expand tree plantation in a complementary and integrated manner with crops to improve productivity, additional income generation and improved livelihoods of rural households, especially the small farmers.

Assistance being provided under the Agroforestry Component of RKVY:

Current Affair 3:

Cyber Surakshit Bharat Training Programme

 

News:

Read:

Current Affair 4:

Seed Cooperative Society

 

Ministry of Cooperation has set up Bhartiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited under the Multi- State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002.

The BBSSL will undertake production, procurement & distribution of quality seeds under single brand through cooperative network to improve crop yield and develop a system for preservation and promotion of indigenous natural seeds.

The BBSSL has provision of two kinds of members, as per details given below:

Ordinary Members: The following shall be eligible to become ordinary member of the BBSSL: -

1. Any multi-State co-operative society or any co-operative society;
2. The National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) established under the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962 (26 of 1962);
3. Any other corporation owned or controlled by the Government;
4. Such class or classes of persons or associations of persons as may be permitted by the Central Registrar having regard to the nature and activities of the Society.
5. No individual shall be eligible to become ordinary member of the BBSSL.

Nominal or associate member:

The Society may, in the interest of promotion of its business, admit any other person as nominal member or associate member in accordance with the provisions of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act on payment of a non- refundable fee of ₹1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only).

 

Any company created or incorporated under the Companies Act/Producer Companies Act, except a Government Company, can only become an Associate or Nominal Member.

Watch this small video: https://youtu.be/gg_jXpZjYeY

 

<< Previous Next >>