Agriculture Research in India, “One district – One Product”, North-Eastern Region emerge as an Economic powerhouse, Genetics could help diagnose type-1 diabetes in Indians
1. Prime Minister reviewed the progress of agriculture research in India
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reviewed the progress of agriculture research, extension and education in India through video conference.
- Since 2014,based on the research at various centers of ICAR, new varieties of field crops (1434), Horticulture crops (462) and Climate resilient varieties (1121) have been developed.
- Molecular breeding techniques have been used to develop varieties which are tolerant to multiple stress.
- HD 3226 of wheat and ArkAbed of Tomato are resistant to seven diseases and four diseases respectively.
- To meet the requirement for commercial processing verities with processing traits like ArkVises, ArkAlesha and ArkYoji have been developed.
- PM appreciated the efforts towards developing varieties focusing on specific requirements of agro-climatic zones and exhorted the need for developing forward and backward linkages to assure better returns to farmers.
- Karan -4, a sugarcane variety has enhanced sugar recovery and has replaced traditionally grown varieties in Uttar Pradesh.
- PM highlighted that avenues for enhancing bio ethanol from sugarcane and other crops needs to explored.
- In an effort to bolster ‘Kuposh Mukt Bharat’ (India free from Malnutrition) 70 bio fortified varities with enhanced Iron, Zinc and Protein content have been developed.
- Bhagwa, a variety of Pomegranate is rich in Iron, Potassium, Vitamin C and Anti-oxidants.
- Poshan Thali and Nutria-gardens are being promoted through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
- Pilots were conducted in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh involving 76 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and 450 model farms.
- Anganwadi Workers and women from rural areas are being trained in raising nutria – gardens to ensure balanced diet.
- Poshan Thali comprises of rice, local dal, seasonal fruit, leafy green vegetable, tubers, other vegetables, milk and other components like sugar, jiggery and oils.
- 100 Nutri Smart villages are to be created by 2022.
- ICAR has developed geo-referenced Organic Carbon Map of India , identified 88 bio control agents and 22 Bio pesticides which can promote organic agriculture.
- There is a need to create awareness regarding inclusion of millets like Jowar, bajra, ragi and several other minor millets in diet to ensure healthy diet.
- Climate change stress like heat waves, droughts, cold waves, submergence due to heavy rains cause huge losses and are threat to agricultural livelihoods.
- Integrated farming systems have been developed to buffer farmers from such climate stress induced losses.
- Traditional varieties cultivated by farmers over generations are being screened for stress tolerance and other favorable traits.
- While reviewing the contributions of ICAR in developing new breeds of cattle, sheep and goats, Prime Minister highlighted the need for research on indigenous breeds of dogs and horses that focused mission mode approach be adopted for vaccination drives for Foot and Mouth disease.
- ICAR introduced Magic seeder in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi to address the problem of stubble burning after the harvest of paddy crop.
- There is a reduction of 52% in burning events in 2019 in comparison to 2016.
- Ease of access to farm equipment and transport facility from field to markets shall be ensured.
- In this regard, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperatives and Farmers Welfare launched an app – Kisanrath.
- However, the traditional knowledge of Indian communities should be coupled with technology and skill sets of youth and Agriculture graduates to translate the full potential of Indian Agriculture in transforming rural areas.
Way Forwards:
- There is a need to adopt organic and natural farming practices on a cluster based approach.
- The study of grasses and local fodder crops should be undertaken to understand their nutritive value.
- The need to study use of sea weeds for their impact on soil health apart from exploring commercial applications in nutraceuticals.
- PM highlighted the need to orient Agricultural Education and research systems based on agro climatic requirements to meet the demands of the Farmers.
- The systems are to be geared towards enhancing farmer’s incomes while meeting International standards.
- The start-ups and agri-enterprenues need to be promoted to ensure innovation and use of technology in Agriculture and allied sectors.
- PM highlighted the need to leverage information technology to provide information on demand to the farmers.
- He directed that Hackathons may be organized twice a year to solve identified problems and meet design needs for tools and equipement that can reduce drudgery if farming activity, given that a large number of farm workers are women.
2. “One district – One Product” approach for Rural sector
- A new dimension is going to be added to farmers’ groups with the creation of ten thousand new Farmers’ Producer Organizations (FPOs).
- Around 86% farmers in the country are small and marginal farmers, who will strengthen the rural economy through these FPOs, which will not only help in agricultural progress, but also create new avenues for the development of the country.
- In the beginning, the minimum number of members in the FPOs would be 300 in the plains and 100 in the North-East and hilly areas.
- The FPOs which are being formed for the benefit of small, marginal and landless farmers, will be managed in such a way that these farmers get access to technological inputs, finances, and better markets and prices for their crops, so as to fulfil the target of doubling farmers’ incomes by the year 2022.
- The FPOs will help to reduce the cost of production and marketing.
- Also It will help to improve production in the agricultural and horticultural sectors.
- This will also help to increase employment opportunities.
- In the Budget 2020-21, there is a proposal to adopt cluster approach for horticultural produce through “One district – One Product” scheme so as to give a fillip to value addition, marketing and exports.
- This is a central scheme, whose total budget is Rs. 6,865 crores.
- All FPOs will be provided professional support and handholding for 5 years.
- 15% of the FPOs are to be constituted in aspirational districts, and will be formed on priority basis in scheduled tribal areas.
- This is a produce cluster based scheme.
- The FPOs will also boost organic and natural farming.
- However “One district – One Product” approach to increase value addition, marketing and exports.
- FPOs will benefit small, marginal and landless farmers by giving access to technological inputs, finances, and better markets and prices for their crops
3. North-Eastern Region will lead for India to emerge as an economic power house
- North-Eastern Region will take a lead for India to emerge as an economic power with the support of its huge natural and human skill resources in the Post-COVID era.
- He said that women power (Matrashakti) of the North-Eastern (N-E) region is taking a lead in all spheres of economic activity due to successful management of Corona Pandemic.
- Women have excelled in the fight against Pandemic and helped North-Eastern Region to emerge as a Model of Corona Management.
- North-Eastern (N-E) Region has emerged as a Model of Development in the last five years.
- In the last six years, not only developmental gaps were bridged successfully, but North- Eastern Region has also gained Psychological confidence.
- As Bamboo is vital to India’s Post- COVID economy and will provide an opportunity for India to emerge as an economic power house with the support of its Bamboo and other resources.
- Northeast consists 60% of India’s reserve of Bamboo and it is a great advantage.
- Apart from the huge Tourism potential the region will offer in coming season for almost remaining Corona free.
- In this regard, he referred to the amendment in the 100-year-old Indian Forest Act brought about by the Modi government in 2017, as a result of which, home grown bamboo has been exempted from it in order to enhance livelihood opportunities through bamboo.
- There has been a significant development in terms of Road, Rail and Air connectivity, helping facilitate the movement of goods and persons not only across the region but also across the country.
- States Like Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya which had not seen Railways hitherto are now connected with Railways with the national capital.
- Also, a new Film and Television Institute after Pune will come up in Arunachal Pradesh soon.
- Most of the Women Self Help Group members informed the Honourable Minister that the revolving fund received from the North Eastern Region Community Resource and Management Program (NERCORMP) has changed their life for better.
- Apart from the desired impetus given to the projects like Horticulture, Tea, Bamboo, Piggery, Sericulture, Tourism, the SHG members also produced and distributed sanitizer and masks on a large scale.
- They also pooled resources to distribute free rations to the needy during the lockdown period.
Note:
- A ‘red army’ of wise old men and women are helping villages across some hill States in the northeast to keep the novel corona virus away.
- The Mizo society is one of the most cohesive and disciplined societies of the country.
4. Genetics could help diagnose type-1 diabetes in Indians
- Researchers at the KEM Hospital and Research Centre, Pune; CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad; and the University of Exeter in the UK have found that a genetic risk score is effective in diagnosing type-1 diabetes in Indians.
what is this genetic risk score?
The genetic risk score takes into account detailed genetic information that are known to increase the chance of developing type-1 diabetes. The score may be used at the time of diabetes diagnosis to help decide if someone has type-1 diabetes.
Will the European genetic risk score be effective in diagnosing type-1 diabetes in Indians?
This was the question that naturally arises as the bulk of the research in this field has been conducted in European populations. To answer this question, the research team studied people with diabetes from Pune, India, using the genetic risk score. The team analysed 262 people with type-1 diabetes, 352 people with type-2 diabetes, and 334 people without diabetes. All were of Indian (Indo-European) ancestry. The research outcomes compared well with those in Europeans as revealed in the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium Study.
It is widely believed that only children and adolescents get type-1 diabetes and obese and older (typically after 45 years of age) get type-2 diabetes. However, recent findings have shown that type-1 diabetes can occur later in life, while type-2 diabetes is on the rise among younger and thinner Indians.
The two types follow different treatment regime with type-1 diabetes needing lifelong insulin injections but type-2 diabetes often being managed with diet or tablet treatment.
Although based on European data, the researchers found that the test is effective in diagnosing the right type of diabetes in Indians, even in its current form. They have also found genetic differences between the populations, indicating that the test could be further improved to enhance outcomes for Indian populations.
“Diagnosing the right diabetes type is an increasingly difficult challenge for clinicians, as we now know that type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. This task is even harder in India, as more cases of type 2 diabetes occur in people with low BMI. We now know that our genetic risk score is an effective tool for Indians, and can help get people on the treatment they need to avoid life-threatening complications such as diabetic keto acidosis and to achieve the best health outcomes”, said Dr Richard Oram, of the University of Exeter Medical School.
- The new genetic tool will be a great help in this. It will help decide the contribution of failing pancreatic B-cells against reduced action of insulin due to excess fat and smaller muscle mass in the body of Indians (‘thin-fat Indians’).
- Referring to the finding that nine genetic areas (called the single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) that correlated with type-1 diabetes in both Indian and European populations, Dr G R Chandak, Chief Scientist leading the study at CCMB, remarked: “It’s interesting to note that different SNPs are more abundant among Indian and European patients. This opens up the possibility that environmental factors might be interacting with these SNPs to cause the disease.”
- Given the genetic diversity of the population of India, the study’s results need to be validated in other ethnic groups of the country too.
- As more than 20 per cent of people with type-1 diabetes below the age of 15 years of age are in India, developing a genetic test kit to reliably detect type-1 from type-2 diabetes holds a lot of significance for the country.
