GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

Agriculture and allied sectors are central to the Indian economy. Keeping this in mind, the Indian government, quite rightly, is promoting technology-enabled sustainable farming, including natural, regenerative and organic systems, during its G20 presidency.

Need to focus on Seeds:

• To achieve global dominance- India needs to fulfil its goal of increasing profitability in agriculture along with increasing its share of export in the world market.
• To achieve SDG goals- India’s performance in achieving the SDGs, especially goals one, two and three, ones linked to agriculture, are yet to reach desired levels.
• To meet nutritional security- To ensure that we meet the targets for food and nutrition security, and the population’s well-being in a sustainable manner, it’s crucial to focus on the quality of the seeds that we use.

Technological Advancement made in Seed Industry:

• Genetic advancement - Seed technology used today combines genetic advancement with applied technologies to provide quality-enhanced seeds with the ability to withstand a range of biotic and abiotic stressors.
• Priming and enhancement technologies- Priming and enhancement technologies are emerging as an essential package of practices to ensure that seeds perform well under a wide range of growing conditions.
• Film coating technology- Film coating technology is applied to organic and inorganic cultivation to improve seed handling, precision planting and use as carriers of pesticides and nutrients.

Way Ahead:

• Supportive regulatory guidelines- As in the case of any technology, supportive regulatory guidelines will go a long way in the adoption and popularisation of seed technologies.
• Consultations with stakeholders - Necessary guidelines should be formulated by concerned departments with extensive consultations with stakeholders for registration and use of bio-stimulants.
• Required Modification- Modifications are needed to include coated/pelleted seed under the Certified Seed (CS) category, as at present coated seeds can be sold only as truthfully labelled (TL) seed.

Context:

Recently the updated numbers for quadrennial Tiger counts came to light, which urged for adoption of a changed strategy of conservation. Now, it is necessary for government to improve the Tiger habitat that sustains tigers to increasing their numbers.

Highlights of the Report:

• Released by: The Wildlife Institute of India and the National Tiger Conservation Authority are responsible for the quadrennial ‘Tiger Census’.
• Regional growth in population: Madhya Pradesh, for the second time in eight years, reported 785 tigers, or about a fifth of the national count. The State reported a 50% rise in tigers since the last census.
• Lesser increment: Bihar has less than 10% of M.P.’s tigers which is a cause of concern.

Strategy derived from counts:

• Implementing nation-side strategy: Like Madhya Pradesh which has perfected the approach of actively moving both tigers and their prey is to be a role model for all.
• Increasing Prey population: Strategy must involve tracking, darting and capturing animals, keeping them in temporary enclosures until they reach sufficient numbers and then releasing them into their new habitat.
• Forest conservation Act: Forest Conservation Act will give more leeway for large parcels of forest land to be diverted for industrial concerns. These would mean more dependence on the practice of moving prey around to maintain numbers.

Changing India’s conservation ethos:

• Shifting to Prey-predator balance: It is harder to maintain connected forest landscapes and ensure man and beast stay within their confines, thus to restore the predator-prey balance is important.
• Harness the scientific expertise: Drawing on scientific expertise will support in implementation of active prey management policies.
• Concentrate on habitat conservation: Rather than to focus on increasing numbers, there is need to maintain the proper habitat for their survival.