• 21 Jun 2024

Agri Startups with E-Commerce Platforms

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to connect the state's agriculture commodity startups with central government promoted e-commerce platforms like ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) and e-NAM (National Agriculture Market).

Key Points

• The state government has instructed the agriculture department to link Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) with ONDC and e-NAM using a specialized farmer producer cell, which will be formed shortly.
  • The startups are also at liberty to join any e-commerce or digital marketing platform.
• The state plans to support an open agriculture market by streamlining licensing procedures for inputs like fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides, as well as licenses for market yards, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and connecting with the ONDC and e-NAM platforms for market access.
  • Around 3,240 FPOs are currently active in Uttar Pradesh as part of the Atmanirbhar Krishak Samanvit Vikas Yojana.
  • Under Atmanirbhar Krishak Samanvit Vikas Yojana, 2,725 FPOs will be formed, which will directly benefit 27.25 lakh shareholder farmers.
• The Uttar Pradesh government has collaborated with industry partners to boost food processing and implement artificial intelligence in agriculture.
  • They also aim to organize the Krishi Bharat global farmers' conference in November 2024 in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
  • Farmers from nations including the US, Germany, Brazil, Italy, Poland, France, Spain, Indonesia, and Kenya are anticipated to attend the four-day event in Lucknow.

ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce)

• The ONDC aims at promoting open networks developed on open-sourced methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols, independent on any specific platform.
• The project to integrate e-commerce platforms through a network based on open-source technology has been tasked to the Quality Council of India.
• Implementation of ONDC, which is expected to be on the lines of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) could bring various operational aspects put in place by e-commerce platforms to the same level.
  • Various operational aspects include onboarding of sellers, vendor discovery, price discovery and product cataloguing etc.
• On ONDC, buyers and sellers may transact irrespective of the fact that they are attached to one specific e-commerce portal.

E-NAM (National Agriculture Market)

• It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities.
• It enables farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers, reducing intermediaries, ensuring fair prices, and enhancing sustainability.

Other Government Schemes to Promote Agri-Export in India

• Operation Greens: Operation Greens is an initiative to stabilise the supply and prices of essential agricultural commodities, including fruits and vegetables.
  • It aims to reduce price volatility, ensure farmers receive remunerative prices, and promote sustainable agri exports.
• Market Access Initiative (MAI): MAI is a program that supports export promotion activities, including participation in international trade fairs, capacity building, and market research. It helps Indian agricultural exporters explore new markets and gain market access.
• Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters (SAMPADA): SAMPADA aims to modernise infrastructure for agro-processing clusters, which helps reduce post-harvest losses, increase the shelf life of agricultural products, and enhance the export competitiveness of Indian agri-products.
• National Horticulture Mission (NHM): NHM focuses on promoting sustainable horticulture practices, including organic farming, precision farming, and water-use efficiency. It supports the production of high-value horticultural products for export.
• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority): APEDA is responsible for promoting the export of scheduled products and provides guidelines for sustainability, quality, and certification requirements for exporters.
• Setting up of Agri Export Zones (AEZs): AEZs are established in different parts of the country to promote the export of specific agricultural commodities.
  • These zones provide a conducive environment for sustainable agri exports through infrastructure development and technology adoption.
• Promotion of Organic Farming: The government has initiated programs to promote organic farming, which contributes to environmental sustainability and increases the export potential of organic products.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

• CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization. It was founded in 1895.
• It works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, Government, and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes.

Campaign to Eradicate Malaria

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched an intensified campaign to eradicate Malaria from the state by 2027.

• This initiative involves thorough investigation and complete treatment of every malaria case.

Key Points

• June is Anti-Malaria Month under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, with 771 malaria cases reported in the state this year.
  • Efforts include improved case reporting, management, and increased epidemiological and entomological investigations, as well as accelerated vector control measures.
• According to the officials, health workers are conducting extensive surveys and tests, and community education on malaria prevention and symptoms is ongoing.
• With the monsoon expected in late June, a critical period for mosquito-borne diseases, extensive activities are planned to prevent malaria.
  • These include insecticide spraying and fogging, and community awareness seminars.

Malaria

• Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito borne blood disease caused by plasmodium parasites.
  • There are 5 Plasmodium parasite species that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species P. falciparum and P. vivax pose the greatest threat.
• Malaria is predominantly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America as well as Asia.
• Malaria is spread by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
  • The mosquito becomes infected after biting an infected person. The malaria parasites then enter the bloodstream of the next person the mosquito bites. The parasites travel to the liver, mature, and then infect red blood cells.
• Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Notably, malaria is both preventable and curable.

National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP)

• NVBDCP is the central nodal agency for prevention and control of six vector borne diseases i.e. Malaria, Dengue, Lymphatic Filariasis, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis and Chikungunya in India. It works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

One Family, One Identity Scheme

Why in News?

Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the process of issuing 'Family ID' to each family in the state and instructed for its quick implementation.

• He emphasized that the Family IDs are being issued to ensure government benefits for every family and employment opportunities for at least one member.

Key Points

• Under the "One Family, One Identity" scheme, each family receives a unique ID to create a comprehensive live database of family units in the state.
• This database will improve the management of beneficiary-oriented schemes, timely targeting, transparent operations, and ensure 100% delivery of schemes to eligible people by simplifying access.
  • Approximately 15.07 crore people from 3.60 crore families in Uttar Pradesh are benefiting from the National Food Security Act 2013, using their ration card numbers as their Family IDs.
  • Over 1 lakh families without ration cards have been issued Family IDs.

National Food Security Act, 2013

• Notified on: 10^th September, 2013.
• Objective:
  • To provide for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
• Coverage:
  • 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
  • Overall, NFSA caters to 67% of the total population.
• Eligibility:
  • Priority Households to be covered under TPDS, according to guidelines by the State government.
  • Households covered under existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
• Provisions:
  • 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.
  • The existing AAY household will continue to receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month.
  • Meal and maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after the child birth.
  • Meals for children up to 14 years of age.
  • Food security allowance to beneficiaries in case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals.
  • Setting up of grievance redressal mechanisms at the district and state level.

World's First Asian King Vulture Conservation Centre

Why in News?

Recently, Uttar Pradesh has established the world's first conservation and breeding center for Asian king vultures in Maharajganj district.

Key Points

• The facility aims to improve the population of Asian king vultures, which has been listed as critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list since 2007.
  • The centre is named Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre, where 24x7 monitoring of the vultures is being done.
• Asian king vultures (also called red-headed vulture) are critically endangered due to a loss of their habitats and the excessive use of  diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in domestic animals, which becomes poisonous for vultures.
  • At present the centre has a pair of male and female vultures. Three more females, who are in the aviary, will gradually get their male counterparts. The aviary is 20-feet by 30-feet.
  • The centre aims to ensure the good health of growing vultures and provide them with a pair. Once a female lays an egg, the pair will be left free in their natural environment.

Asian King Vultures

• This is one of the 9 species of Vulture which are found in India.
• It is also called the Asian King vulture or Pondicherry Vulture was extensively found in India but its numbers drastically reduced after diclofenac poisoning.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1

Patna High Court Nullifies Bihar’s Quota Enhancement

Why in News?

• The Patna High Court overturned the Bihar government's decision to raise the reservation quota for backward classes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes from 50% to 65% in government jobs and higher educational institutions in the state.

Key Points

• The Bihar government has released a gazette notification for two reservation bills, namely the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services Amendment Bill, 2023 and the Bihar Reservation Amendment Bill, 2023.
  • These bills will raise the current reservation percentage from 50% to 65%, resulting in the total reservation quota in the state reaching 75% when the additional 10% for the economically weaker sections (EWS) is included.
• The amendments are violative of the Supreme Court verdict passed in the case of Indira Sawhney versus Union of India whereby a maximum ceiling of 50% was laid down.
• The quota hike was also discriminatory in nature and violative of the fundamental rights to equality as guaranteed to the citizens by Articles 14,15 and 16.

Indra Sawhney & Others vs Union of India, 1992

• The Supreme Court while upholding the 27% quota for backward classes, struck down the government notification reserving 10% government jobs for economically backward classes among the higher castes.
• SC in the same case also upheld the principle that the combined reservation beneficiaries should not exceed 50% of India’s population.
• The concept of ‘creamy layer’ also gained currency through this judgment and provision that reservation for backward classes should be confined to initial appointments only and not extend to promotions.

Fundamental Rights

• Article 14: Equality Before Law
  • It says that no person shall be denied treatment of equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
  • The right is extended to all persons whether citizens or foreigners, statutory corporations, companies, registered societies or any other type of legal person.
• Article 15: Prohibition of Discrimination
  • It provides that no citizen shall be discriminated on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
• Article 16: Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment
  • Article 16 of the Indian constitution provides for equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of employment or appointment to any public office.