Bihar

• 12 Oct 2023

ASHA worker Kalpana Kumari and volunteer Lalita Kumari received the Award.

Why In News?

On October 10, 2023, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani felicitated two women ASHA workers from Bihar, Kalpana Kumari and Volunteer Lalita Kumari at a function held in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• Bihar-based ASHA worker Kalpana and volunteer Lalita Kumari have done excellent work in providing referral services and management of severely malnourished children.
• Activist Lalita Kumari is from Bhagalpur and ASHA worker Kalpana Kumari is a resident of Khagaria.

Seed Hubs will be Built in 10 Districts of Bihar

Why In News?

On October 11, 2023, Bihar Agriculture Department approved the setting up of seed hubs in 10 districts of the state. Wheat, pulses and oilseeds seeds will be produced in these districts.

Key Points:

• In the first phase, farming will be done in 3125 acres for certified seed production. The Assistant Director (Cultivation) of the concerned district will select the village or Panchayat for the Seed Hub.
• The work of seed production here will be done by the farmers or farmer groups of the selected village under the supervision of the Agriculture Department.
• For this, the department has decided to give 80 percent subsidy on seeds to the farmers. Apart from this, if needed, farmers will be provided help (revolving fund) for three years. The amount received as assistance will have to be returned to the farmers.
• It is noteworthy that in the fourth agricultural road map, a target has been set to make the state self-reliant in seed production. Therefore, a target has been set to create 100 seed hubs in the next five years, out of which ten seed hubs will be created in the Rabi season.
• 683.75 quintals of seeds will be distributed in this. Through this, a target has been set to produce 16375 quintals of seeds. Next year, seed hubs will be created in new villages or panchayats.
• District wise crops have been determined as follows - wheat, gram and moong in Gaya, wheat, lentils and moong in Vaishali, wheat, mustard and moong in Bhagalpur, wheat, lentils and moong in Nalanda, wheat and rye in Begusarai, Samastipur. A seed hub will be created for wheat, lentil and moong in Patna, wheat, mustard and moong in Patna, wheat, lentil and moong in Nawada, wheat, lentil and moong in Darbhanga and seed hub for wheat, lentil and moong in Purnia.
• The area of the seed hub will be a minimum 125 acres for wheat and 62.5 acres for pulses and oilseeds.