DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

July5,2024

AGRICULTURE(MAINS)

Climate-Resilient Farming
Context
● CRA reduces hunger and poverty in the

The Union government has planned to face of climate change for forthcoming

introduce a framework to promote generations.

climate-resilient agriculture in 50,000 ● The practice of climate-resilient

villages located in climatically- agriculture sustains agricultural

vulnerable districts. production from the local to the global

level in a sustainable manner.
About
4 R’s of Sustainability
What is Climate Resilient Agriculture?
● Reduce: Elimination of waste and
● Climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) is reduction of levels of consumption
an approach that includes sustainably ● Reuse: Use of a material or equipment
using existing natural resources again and again up to the maximum level
through crop and livestock production ● Recycle: Recycle of waste
systems. ● Rethink: Stop and think about how will
● It aims to achieve long-term higher your decisions impact the environment.
productivity and farm incomes under
climate variability.
Principles used in Sustainable Farming
● Conservation of Water
● Promotion of Biodiversity of Local Plant
and Animal life
● Reduction of Agricultural Waste and
Runoff
● Promotion of Soil Health and Fertility
● Carbon Capture to Fight Climate
Change
● Promotion of Energy-Efficient Steps
● Decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
● Creation of Habitats for Beneficial
Insect Species and Pollinators
Sustainable Farming Practices
Renewable Energy Sources
● Sustainable farming emphasizes the use
of renewable resources of energy such as
wind and solar energy.
● Solar Panels can be used to power
electric fences and wind turbines can be
used to capture energy. Running rivers
also provide a source of hydroelectric
power.
● The government of India provides Solar
Pumps under the PM-Kusum Yojana to
farmers.
Natural Pest Management
● It is also termed integrated pest
management. This technique of farming
avoids artificial and chemical pesticides
and allows natural predators to control
pest populations.
● Birds such as Sparrows, lizards and
insects can all play a role in keeping
pests at bay.
Hydroponics and Aquaponics Farming
Technique
● These are two innovative farming
techniques which can change the way
crops are grown by removing the need
for soil.
● Hydroponics Technique: In this
technique, nutrients are directly
 provided to the plant through the water
that the roots are grown in.
● In hydroponics farming systems, root
systems are placed directly in a
specialized mineral solution, or
sometimes they are grown in gravel. The
nutrients which are needed by the plant
are added to the irrigation water.
● Aquaponics Technique: Aquaponics
combines raising aquatic animals with
the growing of hydroponic crops.
● The water from the animal waste which
contains nutrients is used to nourish the
plants. Then the same water is recycled
back into the system to be used once
again by the fish.
Crop Rotation
● Crop rotation is an important aspect of
organic farming and has serious
sustainability benefits.
● It is the practice of growing different
crops in each season, with the new crops
being used to replenish the nutrients
the previous crops used. This practice
has been practised by humans for
thousands of years.
● Pest Control: This farming practice also
plays a role in pest control. Since certain
pests are attracted to certain plants,
changing plants alternatively prevents
pest populations from growing too fast
or getting out of control.
Polycultures
● Polycultures refers to growing multiple
crops which complement each other in
the same field.
● By growing multiple varieties farmers
can better utilize available resources.
This agriculture technique improves
resilience and promotes soil health.
Permaculture
● Permaculture is a deliberate system of
growing perennial crops such as fruit
trees, nut trees and shrubs.
● This technique aims to build a local
ecosystem that mimics the way these
species would be found in the wild.
● Permaculture aims to reduce waste,
reduce inputs and maximize growing
efficiency and crop yields.
Biodynamic Farming
● Biodynamic Farming is the practice of
raising livestock alongside plants and
crops. The system manages the farm as
one intertwined system where the needs
of each species support the other.
● It promotes soil health and resilience, as
they mimic the way plants and animals
exist naturally.
● It emphasizes the importance
reducing the use of off-site inputs such
as importing soil fertility by generating
the necessary health and soil fertility
for food production onsite.
● This is achieved through
implementation of practices such as
composting, application of animal
manure from farmed animals, cover
cropping or rotating complementary
crops.
Urban Agriculture
● The practice of urban agriculture has
exploded in recent years,
advancements in farming practices
making at-home agriculture more
accessible than ever before.
● It involves various practices such as
rooftop gardens, community gardens,
indoor hydroponic farms and even
warehouse farms where food can be
produced on huge scales.
Agroforestry
● Agroforestry is the practice of planting
trees and shrubs amongst crops, to create
a favourable microclimate that maintains
of favourable temperature and soil
humidity.
● At the same time, it protects the crops
from wind or heavy rain. Trees play an
important role in his type of farming
the practice.
● They stabilize soils, minimize nutrient
runoff and improve soil structure thus
sustainably increasing the soil’s
productivity.
Mulching
● The practice of mulching involves the
covering of the top layer of soil by
with organic wastes. It aims to reduce the
growth of weeds and conserve soil.
● It forms a natural weed suppressant
which can eliminate the need for
herbicides and the most stubborn weeds.
● Wood chips, straw or grass clippings
which are used as mulch also improve
nutrient retention in soils and encourage
the activity of soil microorganisms.
● It helps to create a healthy aerated soil
structure and reduces the need for tillage
as soils are less compacted.
Current Step by Government to
Introduce Sustainable Agriculture
Framework
● Central Government aims to promote
climate-resilient agriculture in 50,000
villages located in climatically-
vulnerable districts.
● It is part of a national programme on
climate-resilient agriculture. The
government plans to promote climate-
resilient crop varieties in these 50,000
villages spread across 310 districts.
● Among these districts, Uttar Pradesh
accounted for the most districts (48),
followed by Rajasthan (27).
● Climate-resilient crop Varieties which
have been produced by the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research will be
introduced in these villages.
● Both abiotic stress-tolerant varieties and
biotic stress-tolerant varieties have been
produced by the ICAR.
● The framework may include measures
such as promoting less water-intensive
crops, conserving water sources in the
respective areas and monitoring fertilizer
inputs.
Conclusion
The Indian Agriculture sector is currently
evolving rapidly with various government
initiatives and changing climate. Climate
change has led to adoption of the Climate
Resilient Agriculture. It has changed the
rhythm of the monsoon coupled with longer
periods of dry spells and uneven distribution
of rainfall across the country. India must
move forward rapidly to check the menace of
climate change by adopting climate-resilient
agriculture. It will help India to achieve
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
such as No Hunger (SDG 2), Sustainable
Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and
Climate Action (SDG 13).
Source: The Indian Express, The Hindu,
Down to Earth.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION (PRELIMS)

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit

Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and
Context
Tajikistan

Recently, EAM Jaishankar attended the ● Reasons for its Formation: The

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation emergence of Extremist Religious

Summit held in Astana capital of Groups after math of collapse of the

Kazakhstan. former Soviet Union and its division into

15 countries led to Ethnic Tensions in
About SCO the region. The group was created for
cooperation on security matters.
● SCO was established on June 15, 2001,
consisting of the members of Shanghai
Five and the induction of Uzbekistan as
a sixth member.
● Current Membership: It has ten
members such as India, Iran, Kazakhstan,
China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and newly
inducted Belarus.
● Origin: The Shanghai Cooperation
● Observer States: Afghanistan and
Organization was initially called
Mongolia hold Observer Status in the
“Shanghai Five”. It was formed in 1996.
organization.

● Founding Members: The founding

members of the organization are China,
Significance of SCO

Asian Security

SCO deals with security issues of Asian

members. Russia and China have stressed its
position as an alternative to a “Western”
international order.

Against the USA’s Influence,

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization

along with the BRICS grouping with
members such as India, South Africa and
Brazil is seen positioning against US
influence in Asia.

Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)

SCOs act as RATs and assist members in the

preparation and staging of counter-terrorism
exercises, analyse key intelligence
information coming in from the member
states, and share information on terrorist
movements and drug trafficking.
 QUESTIONS
1. Discuss the Various Techniques which 1) It aims to fight terrorism and ethnic
violence in the region
are used in Sustainable Farming
Practices. 2) It is the extension of Shanghai Five.

2. Consider the following statements 3) India was one of the founding members
of the organization.
with respect to Sustainable
Agriculture; Which of the following statements is/are
Correct?
1) The Approach consists of sustainably
using existing natural resources through a. One Only

crop and livestock production systems. b. Two Only

2) The approach uses the 4 R’s of c. All Three
Sustainability.
d. None
3) Integrated Pest Management and
Hydroponics are techniques used in Answer: B

Sustainable Agriculture Practices.

Which of the following statements is/are

Correct?

a. One Only
b. Two Only
c. All Three
d. None

Answer: C

3. Consider the following statements with

respect to the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization: