All India Radio New Summary
- Soil health cards printed in the local dialect of the area
Current News:
Prime Minister reviewed the progress of two agriculture sector related schemes, Soil Health Cards and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
- Prime Minister emphasized that soil health cards should be printed in the local dialect of the area, so that the farmers are able to read and understand them easily.
- He also said, appropriate checks should be undertaken for variation, both within a sampling grid and across different soil testing labs which will help ensure quality in the reports.
- Encouraging the rapid adoption of latest technology, soil testing should eventually be possible through hand-held devices. He urged officials to explore the possibility of involving start-ups and entrepreneurs in the exercise.
- 16 States and Union Territories have completed the first cycle of Soil Health Cards distribution and the remaining states are likely to complete it within weeks.
- On Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, in the Kharif season of 2016 and Rabi season of 2016-17, claims of over 7700 crore rupees have already been paid and over 90 lakh farmers have been benefited.
- Latest technology including smartphones, remote sensing, satellite data and drones are being used for speedy data collection with regard to crop insurance claims.
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture(NMSA) is implemented with the objectives to make agriculture more productive, sustainable and climate resilient; to conserve natural resources; to adopt comprehensive soil health management practices; to optimize utilization of water resources;
Soil Health Management (SHM) is one of the most important interventions under NMSA.
SHM aims at promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through
- judicious use of chemical fertilisers including secondary and micro nutrients in conjunction with organic manures and bio-fertilisers for improving soil health and its productivity;
- strengthening of soil and fertiliser testing facilities to provide soil test based recommendations to farmers for improving soil fertility;
- ensuring quality control requirements of fertilisers, bio-fertilisers and organic fertilisers under Fertiliser Control Order, 1985;
- up gradation of skill and knowledge of soil testing laboratory staff, extension staff and farmers through training and demonstrations;
- promoting organic farming practices
What is soil health card?
The soil health card studies and reviews the health of soil or rather we can say a complete evaluation of the quality of soil right from its functional characteristics, to water and nutrients content and other biological properties. It will also contain corrective measures that a farmer should adopt to obtain a better yield.
How does it help the farmers?
With the issue of the card, the farmers will get a well-monitored report of the soil which is chosen for cultivation of crops.
- The farmers will be guided by experts to come up with solutions to improve the quality of the soil.
- Regular monitoring will help the farmers to get a long-term soil health record and accordingly can study and evaluate the results of different soil management practices.
- This card can become most helpful and effective when filled out regularly by the same person over a period of time.
- The idea is not to compare the varied soil types but to find out methods to improve soil fertility, to access the different types of soil and their ability to support crop production in spite of their limitations and as per their abilities.
- The soil card will help the farmers to get an idea on the crop-wise recommendations of nutrients and fertilizers required in each type of soil. This can help in increasing the crop yield.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana:
- Under this scheme there will be a uniform premium of only 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops. In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium to be paid by farmers will be only 5%. The premium rates to be paid by farmers are very low and balance premium will be paid by the Government to provide full insured amount to the farmers against crop loss on account of natural calamities.
- There is no upper limit on Government subsidy. Even if balance premium is 90%, it will be borne by the Government.
- President presented Colors to Ladakh Scouts
President visited the country’s far-flung district Ladakh today.
- He presented the Colours to Ladakh Scouts at a ceremonial parade in Leh.
- The President complimented the Ladakh Scouts for their exceptional valour and sacrifice while upholding the sovereignty of the nation in the Ladakh region, especially in the Siachen Glacier.
- The President also released a documentary film on Maha Vir Chakra awardee Colonel Sonam Wangchuk.
- Later, he laid the foundation stone for the Buddha Park for World Peace at Leh’s Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre
- Digital police portal under Crime and Criminal Tracking Network
The Home Minister launched a digital police portal under Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems Project (CCTNS).
- The portal is a smart policing initiative to provide services to citizens and aid efficient police investigation.
- The portal is a platform for citizens to file online crime-related complaints and also request for antecedent verification.
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems Project (CCTNS)
- CCTNS is a project under Indian government for creating a comprehensive and integrated system for effective policing through e-Governance.
- The system includes nationwide online tracking system by integrating more than 14,000 police stations across the country.
- The project is implemented by National Crime Records Bureau.
- A repository of Indian food cuisines
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FSSAI, will soon develop a repository of Indian food cuisines containing nutrient value in the items.
- 200 recipes have been added so far in the repository.
- A dedicated online portal named FOODCASTwill be launched to disseminate these recipes among the people.
- Second Constitution Amendment Bill has been rejected by the Nepal parliament
In Nepal, the much-awaited Second Constitution Amendment Bill has been rejected by the parliament as it could not get required two-third majority.
- The bill required 395 votes for two third majority.
- Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), which was formed in April this year after the merger of six Madesh-centric parties, had been demanding constitution amendment on various issues including language, delineation of provinces and citizenship.
- While ruling Nepali Congress, CPN-Maoist Centre and other coalition partners were in favour of the amendment, the main opposition-CPN-UML and some other parties were opposing it.
- 200 Terrorists have been killed in air strikes by Russian forces on the outskirts of Syrian City
In Syria, 200 terrorists have been killed in air strikes by Russian forces on the outskirts of Deir al-Zor city.
- Islamic State terrorists are concentrating around Deir al-Zor after being pushed out of the south of Raqqa and Homs provinces.
