conducting regular socio-economic surveys. The Minister added that this will help government to formulate plans for the farmers especially the small and marginal farmers. Mr Singh said that it is imperative to remove regional disparity so as to achieve economic and social development and regional disparity cannot be removed until the related statistics are provided.
He further said that statistics play a vital role to formulate the schemes related to agriculture, agricultural products and other arenas. For instance, to implement crop insurance scheme, its product estimation is required on Panchayat and at village level. Mr Singh requested the state government that they should take an active initiative to strengthen their methodology in the perspective of agricultural statistics.
GOVT MULLS ACTION PLAN FOR BOVINE BREEDING, INCREASING MILK PRODUCTION
On the sideline of the visits to the facilities of ICAR-NDRI and NBAGR, Karnal( Haryana), the Secretary for Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Devendra Chaudhary interacted with the scientists. Mr Chaudhary on 25th June 2016 also had interactive discussion on“ National Bovine Genomic Centre for Indigenous Breeds” and National Action Plan on bovine breeding.
The Secretary stressed the scientists to work towards enhancement of productivity in indigenous breeds of cattle, as more than 80 % of indigenous animals are with small & marginal farmers and landless labours yielding 3kgs of milk per day. He also discussed the National Action Plan for bovine breeding with the all States at length from 20 to 23 and 27th June 2016 in New Delhi. All the States agreed to implement National Action Plan that envisages enhancing productivity of indigenous cattle to 5 kg / per animal / day and AI coverage from the present level of 25 % to 70 % by 2019-20? It was also mentioned that an amount of Rs 3700 crores will be required by States to implement this NAP.
BIG DATA ANALYTICS IN AGRICULTURE: TRAINING PROGRAM HELD AT ICAR-NAARM
A 10-days training programme on big data analytics in agriculture was organized at Indian Council for Agricultural Research( ICAR)- National Academy of Agricultural Research Management( NAARM), Hyderabad during 13-22 June 2016.
This programme was sponsored by Department of Science and Technology( DST), Government of India wherein forty participants including scientists, business managers, professionals, young entrepreneurs and students from different parts of the country have taken part. The programme was intended to train the participants in Big Data Analytics with applications in agriculture. The valedictory function was held on June 22, 2016 with Prof D Janakiram, Head, Dept. of Computer Science, IIT, Chennai as the chief guest.
The Joint Director, Dr R Kalpana Sastry mentioned that the Academy took lead in Big Data Analytics in Agriculture in the country which will benefit in strengthening agriculture research system. The Director, Dr D Rama Rao congratulated the Programme Directors Dr S Ravichandran and Dr N Sivaramane for successful completion of the programme. The coordinators acknowledged the support given by Dr K R Murali Mohan, Head, Big Data Initiatives, DST, New Delhi.
SCIENTISTS SHOULD FOCUS ON FARMER-ORIENTED RESEARCH: MINISTER
During his visit to the ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi recently, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers welfare, Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan highlighted the need for a much effective target oriented research to help the farmers.
In an interface meeting with Kochi based institutes under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Dr Balyan urged the scientists to focus on farmer-oriented research activities to improve the agriculture sector of the country. Long-term planning was required to formulate developmental projects aimed at boosting the agriculture and fish production in the country, he added. The Minister appreciated the contributions of ICAR-CMFRI in the development of sea cage farming and seed production technology for species such as cobia, silver pompano and orange spotted grouper.
INDO-EU‘ WATER4CROPS’ PROJECT – A BOON TO WATER-SCARCE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
Review meeting on the completion of 4 years of € 9 million Indo-EU‘ Water4crops’ project was held from 15-17th of June, 2016 at New Delhi. Co-funded by Indian government through its Department of Biotechnology( DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology along with the European Union, this project integrates biotreated wastewater reuse with enhanced water-use efficiency to support the Green Economy in EU and India.
The minister of State for the Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Mr Y S Chowdary, chaired the inaugural session of the Review and Planning Meeting on the completion of 4 years of project on June 15 at New Delhi.
As a result of this initiative, the chemical and biological oxygen demand in waste waters has reduced by 30-92 %. Moreover, crop yield evaluations have shown increased yields of the order of 14 to 40 % for crops like okra, brinjal and chilly irrigated with treated wastewater as compared to fresh water. In addition to increased yields, the secondary treatment of waste water for agriculture leads to more tertiarytreated potable water being available for domestic use.
agriculture
ANIL MADHAV DAVE JOINS AS INDIA ' S NEW ENVIRONMENT MINISTER
Mr Anil Madhav Dave, Member of Parliament representing Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha since 2009, took oath on July 05 as Minister of State at the Rashtrapati Bhavan( President ' s House). Mr Dave has been allocated the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change( Independent Charge) by the Prime Minister of India.
Best known as a social worker and engaged currently with the conservation of the Narmada river, Mr Dave has been a member of the Committee on Water Resources, member of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. From March 2010 to June 2010, he has also been a member of the Parliamentary Forum on Global Warming and Climate Change. His huge experience can come handy as far as overall handling of the ministry is concerned.
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