12 August 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

 1. PM releases 109 high yielding, climate resilient and biofortified varieties of crops

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2044302 )

Topic: GS3 – Agriculture

Context

On August 11, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties at the India Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi. This initiative highlights the government’s focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability through advanced crop varieties. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasised the program’s potential for reducing costs and improving environmental impact, marking it as a key example of the lab-to-land approach in agriculture.

Analysis of News:       

Crop Varieties Released

• Total Varieties: 109 varieties of 61 crops
• Field Crops: 34 varieties including cereals (millets), forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fiber, and other potential crops.
• Horticultural Crops: 27 varieties including fruits, vegetable crops, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers, and medicinal crops.

Significance of high-yielding, climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties for India:

• Enhanced Productivity: High-yielding varieties boost crop production, ensuring a more abundant food supply to meet the needs of India’s growing population.
• Climate Resilience: Climate-resilient crops can withstand adverse weather conditions, such as droughts or floods, reducing the risk of crop failures and ensuring stable agricultural output.
• Nutritional Improvement: Biofortified crops are enriched with essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, addressing dietary deficiencies and improving public health, particularly in underserved areas.

What Are Biofortified Crops?

Biofortified crop varieties are crops that have been enhanced through breeding or genetic modification to increase their nutritional content.The goal is to improve the levels of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in the crops to address deficiencies in the diet of populations, especially in developing regions.These varieties aim to provide better nutritional value and health benefits, contributing to improved overall public health.

• Economic Benefits: Increased crop yields and reduced losses due to climate stress contribute to higher farmer incomes and lower production costs, enhancing economic stability for rural communities.
• Sustainable Farming: Climate-resilient and biofortified crops promote sustainable agricultural practices by reducing dependency on chemical inputs and fostering natural farming methods.
• Food Security: These innovations play a crucial role in strengthening India’s food security by ensuring reliable and nutritious food sources amid changing environmental conditions.

Practice Question:  Discuss the significance of high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified crop varieties in enhancing food security and agricultural sustainability in India. (150 Words /10 marks)