• 19 Mar 2024

Rise in Income of Uttarakhand Millet Farmers: Study

Why in News?

According to a study by the Indian Institute of Management, Kashipur, three out of four millet-growing farmers in Uttarakhand have seen a 10-20% increase in their annual income owing to the push to millet farming by the Centre and state government.

• The study is named "Millet Production in Uttarakhand: An Empirical Analysis of its Socio-Economic Impact and Marketability Challenges".

Key Points

• The study conducted on more than 2,100 farmers found that many of them are still not aware of the increased demand for millet-based products, and are still growing it on a smaller scale for personal consumption only.
• According to the study, 75% of farmers in the state who grow millets have seen an increase in income by 10-20% as the Centre and state government continue to push farming of the crop.
  • The study, however, did not specify the number of millet-growing farmers among the 2,100 who were surveyed.
  • It was conducted by four senior professors and five data collectors of the institute over a period of six months.
• The study was conducted to address the marketability challenges of millet production and identify effective strategies to increase its economic presence.
  • The sample size for the survey was collected from the major hilly regions of the state, including Pithoragarh, Joshimath, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli.

Related Initiatives Taken by the Government

• National Millets Mission (NMM): NMM was launched in 2007 to promote the production and consumption of millets.
• Price Support Scheme (PSS): Provides financial assistance to farmers for the cultivation of millets.
• Development of Value-Added Products: Encourages the production of value-added millet-based products to increase the demand and consumption of millets.
• Promoting Millets in PDS: The government has introduced millets in the Public Distribution System (PDS) to make it accessible and affordable to the masses.
• Promotion of Organic Farming: The government is promoting organic farming of millets to increase the production and consumption of organic millets.

Union Minister Lays Foundation Stone of Tribal Culture Centre

Why in News?

Recently, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs; Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Arjun Munda, virtually laid the foundation stone of ‘Centre for Preservation and promotion of Tribal Culture & Heritage’ at Seraikela Kharsawan district, Jharkhand.

Key Points

• The museum is an effort to depict and preserve the rich legacy of the tribal community in the State of Jharkhand, while showcasing the rich tribal way of life and culture.
  • The Union Ministry for Tribal Affairs has approved this initiative by allocating a budget of Rs. 10 crores for the establishment of the Centre.
  • The centre is aimed to be developed in future as a live centre, with space for artisans to demonstrate their skills and to serve as a hub for tourism.
  • It would be showcasing the physical and intangible tribal culture, its history and heritage of the region.
• At another event, he also inaugurated the recently renovated National Unique Tribal Museum, e-Library and ST Girls’ hostel funded by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs at Bharatiya Adim Jati Sevak Sanghathan (BAJSS), in New Delhi.
  • The BAJSS was established in the year 1948 by Amritlal Vithaldas Thakkar, popularly known as Thakkar Bapa, an Indian social worker who worked for the upliftment of tribal people.

Environmental Awareness Event at Kurukshetra University

Why in News?

Recently, the Vice Chancellor of Kurukshetra University (KU) inaugurated the marathon, awareness cum exhibition and extension lecture under the Mission LiFE campaign in KU.

Key Points

• On this occasion the Vice Chancellor also formally inaugurated the activities of the Eco Club and administered the oath of Mission LiFE to everyone.
• Mission LiFE is proving to be a people's movement to make India self-reliant and closer to nature.
  • In 2021, India gave the mantra of environmental lifestyle to the world from the platform of the United Nation.
• The program was organised under the joint aegis of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) India and KU in collaboration with the EIACP (Environment Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Further students will also participate in the Earth Hour program and will be a part of the world campaign.
  • Earth Hour is the WWF’s annual initiative that began in 2007.
  • It encourages people from more than 180 countries to switch off the lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm as per their local time.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

• It is the world’s leading conservation organisation and works in more than 100 countries.
• It was established in 1961 and is headquartered at Gland, Switzerland.
• Its mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.

EIACP (Environment Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme)

• EIACP Programme Centre Resource Partner “Wildlife & Protected Areas”, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun formerly known as ENVIS was established as the 23rd Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Centre in India in September 1997.
• The Programme Centre is a repository of all information, publications and other value added products on its assigned subject area; maintaining a database; conducting various events and activities across the year including mass awareness campaigns and events as directed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Kurukshetra University Announces Rajib Goyal Prizes

Why in News?

Recently, Kurukshetra University’s Goyal Award Committee announced the Rajib Goyal prize for young scientists.

Key Points

• The award consists of a medal, citation and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for which four scientists of the country below the age of 45 have been selected in the young scientists category.
• The recipients are:
  • Dr Saptarshi Basu, department of mechanical engineering, Bengaluru, (applied sciences).
  • Dr Sebastian C Peter, JNCASR, Bengaluru, (chemical sciences).
  • Dr Bushra Ateeq, department of biological sciences and bioengineering, IIT Kanpur (Life Sciences).
  • Dr Sanjeev Kumar Aggarwal, Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, (physical sciences).
• Through these awards Kurukshetra University honours the best scientists of the country every year, recognising their significant contributions in the field of science and technology.

Uttar Pradesh Government Invites Private Players to Invest in E-Mobility

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government has invited private players to invest in its e-mobility push. The State has proposed to introduce 50,000 electric buses across 75 districts over the next five years.

Key Points

• The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has floated a tender, inviting bids for the supply, operation, and maintenance of 5,000 e-buses on gross cost contract basis.
• In the first phase, 5,000 e-buses will be deployed during the next financial year 2024-25 itself.
  • Apart from the supply, operation and maintenance of e-buses, the bidder will also take care of the allied electrical and civil infrastructure.
  • They will be permitted to operate on the existing inter-district routes on a revenue sharing model.
• The deployment of e-buses will phase out carbon emitting 12,000 diesel buses from the state public mobility fleet.

Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC)

• It is a public sector passenger road transport corporation which services Uttar Pradesh, India, and adjoining states of North India.
• It operates as a state and interstate bus service and has the largest fleet of buses in North India.
• The corporate office of the corporation is located in Lucknow.
• UP Government Roadways was renamed as Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) on 1 June 1972 under the provisions of the Road Transport Act, 1950. The objectives of this undertaking were:
  • The development of the road transport sector correlated to which would lead to the overall development of trade & industry.
  • The coordination of the road transport services with other modes of transport.
  • To provide an adequate, economical & efficiently coordinated road transport service to the residents of the state.

Bundelkhand to Become New Power House

Why in News?

Recently, 10 solar energy projects have been launched in Bundelkhand, which will generate over 3,000 megawatts of electricity. The entire region is set to become the new energy hub of Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points

• The solar energy production plants will be established in Jalaun, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Banda, Chitrakoot, and Mahoba districts of Bundelkhand. Three solar power units are being set up in Jhansi district alone.
• The Projects are:
  • In Jhansi district, a 600 MW solar plant is being established by Tusco at the cost of Rs 3,430 crore, with the potential to create 300 job opportunities.
    • Fourth Partner Energy Private Ltd will set up a 100 MW solar plant at Rs 1,200 crore, adding more than 1,000 employment opportunities.
    • Sun Source Energy is set to begin a 135 MW open-access solar power project worth Rs 600 crore, with the potential to create 2,000 jobs.
  • A 600 MW solar power plant is being established by Tusco in Lalitpur district at the cost of Rs 3,450 crore, which will create 300 employment opportunities.
    • A 10-15 MW solar power project will be set up by Surya Urja Four Private Ltd at a cost of Rs 150 crore, which will generate employment opportunities for 200 people.
  • Avada Ind Solar Private Ltd will set up a 750 MW solar power project in Banda at a cost of Rs 350 crore.
    • A 15 MW solar power project is also being established by Sunsure Solar Park Private Ltd at a cost of Rs 62 crore.
  • In Chitrakoot, Tusco Ltd will set up an 800 MW solar power project at the cost of Rs 4,700 crore. This will provide employment to 400 people.
    • Shree Cement Private Ltd will set up a solar power plant worth Rs 202 crore.
  • Tusco Ltd is establishing the 155 MW Arjun Sagar Floating Solar Power Project worth Rs 1008 crore in Mahoba, which will create jobs for 78 people.
    • IB Vogt Solar Four Private Ltd will also set up a solar power project in Mahoba at the cost of Rs 80 crore.
  • Other major projects being implemented in Bundelkhand region include:
    • Railway's LBH coach project and track work plant worth Rs 2,840 crore.
    • a private university by Sant Maa Karma Manav Samvardhan Samiti worth Rs 501 crore.
    • stone mining project worth Rs 30 crore, and a gun propellant project worth Rs 20 crore.