Elevated Construction Initiated: Maharashtra Section

Physical construction activity has commenced in the elevated portion of the bullet train corridor in Maharashtra, covering a stretch of 135 km from Shilphata near Mumbai to Zaroli village on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border. This segment presents engineering challenges, including the construction of mountain tunnels, steel bridges, and river crossings.

Engineering Marvels: Complicated Infrastructure

The Maharashtra section of the project boasts intricate engineering feats, including six mountain tunnels, 36 crossings comprising steel bridges and river bridges over the Ulhas, Vaitarna, and Jagani rivers. Notably, the Vaitarna river hosts the longest river bridge spanning 2.32 km, showcasing the project’s scale and complexity.

Strategic Connectivity: Three Bullet Train Stations

Integral to the project’s success are the three bullet train stations strategically located in Thane, Virar, and Boisar. These stations, situated within the Mumbai metropolitan region, serve as vital transportation hubs, catering to the commuting needs of thousands of individuals daily.

Progress Update: Ongoing Works

As construction gains momentum, cleaning and grubbing operations are underway for 78 km, while geotechnical investigations are progressing steadily, reaching the halfway mark. Notably, open foundation construction is underway at multiple locations, demonstrating steady progress across the corridor.

Enhanced Connectivity: Transformative Impact

Once operational, the bullet train is poised to revolutionize travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, slashing the travel time from nearly six hours to a mere three hours. This enhanced connectivity is set to unlock economic opportunities and foster regional development along the corridor.

Project Timeline: Overcoming Challenges

While the project initially faced delays in land acquisition, the successful completion of this phase marks a significant breakthrough. Despite uncertainties surrounding the overall completion date due to land acquisition challenges in Maharashtra, progress continues unabated.

Future Outlook: Ambitious Targets

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Railways projects the full opening of the 352 km Gujarat section by 2027, with a 50 km stretch from Surat to Bilimora anticipated to open by August 2026. These ambitious targets underscore the government’s commitment to advancing high-speed rail connectivity in India.

Conclusion: A Path to Progress

The completion of land acquisition for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project signifies a crucial step forward in India’s pursuit of modernizing its transportation infrastructure. As construction progresses and challenges are overcome, the nation edges closer to realizing its vision of high-speed rail connectivity and inclusive growth.

Empowering Women: Financial Relief

The reduction in LPG cylinder prices reflects the government’s commitment to supporting the well-being of families and empowering women. By making cooking gas more affordable, the initiative strives to enhance the quality of life for women and their families while fostering a healthier environment.

Extension of Ujjwala Yojana Subsidy

In a complementary move, the government also extended the subsidy of ₹300 per LPG cylinder to women beneficiaries under the Ujjwala Yojana for the upcoming fiscal year starting April 1. This extension of financial support further underscores the government’s dedication to uplifting women and ensuring their economic security.

Upholding Women’s Contributions

Prime Minister Modi took to social media to extend his greetings on International Women’s Day, acknowledging the strength, courage, and resilience of women across various domains. He emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering women through multifaceted initiatives spanning education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology, and more.

Government’s Dedication to Women’s Empowerment

Mr. Modi highlighted the government’s decade-long achievements, demonstrating its unwavering dedication to women’s empowerment and recognizing their significant contributions to society. This commitment resonates through policies and initiatives designed to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women in India.

Conclusion: A Step Towards Empowerment

Prime Minister Modi’s announcement of reducing LPG cylinder prices and extending subsidies under the Ujjwala Yojana reflects the government’s proactive efforts to alleviate financial burdens on households, especially women. As India celebrates International Women’s Day, these measures stand as a testament to the nation’s commitment to women’s empowerment and holistic development.

Shift in Dynamics: Embracing a Subscription-Based Model

A noteworthy shift is observed in the enrollment pattern, with 42% of farmers opting for crop insurance without availing loans from banks. This transition towards a subscription-based model reflects the increasing awareness and voluntary participation of farmers in securing their agricultural investments.

Widespread Coverage: Extending Protection Across Landscapes

The ambit of the heavily-subsidized crop insurance scheme has expanded significantly, encompassing over 60 million hectares of agricultural land in the fiscal year 2023-24, marking a substantial 21% rise from the previous fiscal year. This broad coverage underscores the scheme’s efficacy in reaching farmers across diverse agro-climatic regions.

Empowering Farmers: Delivering Substantial Returns

Since its inception in 2016, the PMFBY has disbursed claims amounting to approximately ₹1.56 trillion to farmers, against a cumulative premium contribution of ₹31,139 crore. This translates to an impressive claim-premium ratio, with farmers receiving approximately five times the premium paid, thereby offering substantial returns on their investment.

Affordable Premiums: Promoting Accessibility and Inclusivity

Under the PMFBY, farmers enjoy the benefit of affordable premiums, fixed at just 1.5% for rabi crops and 2% for kharif crops of the sum insured, with a slight increase to 5% for cash crops. This equitable premium structure promotes accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that farmers from diverse socio-economic backgrounds can avail themselves of crop insurance protection.

Expanding Footprint: Welcoming Back States

The recent decision by Telangana to rejoin the PMFBY, along with discussions in Jharkhand to reintegrate into the scheme, reflects a growing recognition of the scheme’s efficacy in mitigating agricultural risks. Despite initial exits by certain states due to cost concerns, the scheme’s demonstrable benefits are prompting a reevaluation of participation strategies.

Continued Support: Sustaining Financial Backing

With an allocation of ₹15,000 crore for the fiscal year 2025, the PMFBY continues to receive robust financial support from the central government, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the interests of farmers. This sustained funding underscores the scheme’s pivotal role in bolstering agricultural resilience and promoting rural prosperity.

Shared Responsibility: Collaborative Efforts for Farmer Welfare

The PMFBY operates on a shared premium model, with contributions from both the central and state governments, ensuring collective responsibility in safeguarding farmer interests. Additionally, initiatives like universalization of the crop insurance scheme by certain states exemplify collaborative efforts aimed at promoting farmer welfare and mitigating agrarian risks.

Global Significance: A Landmark in Crop Insurance

Ranked as the third-largest insurance scheme globally in terms of premium, the PMFBY stands as a testament to India’s commitment to agricultural resilience. By shielding farmers from unforeseen adversities, this pioneering initiative reaffirms the nation’s dedication to nurturing its agrarian backbone and fostering rural prosperity.

Boosting Agricultural Economy: Holistic Development Program

At the core of PM Modi’s agenda lies the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ program, slated to take place at Bakshi Stadium. Here, he will inaugurate the ‘Holistic Agriculture Development Programme’ with an investment of ₹5,000 crore, aimed at revitalizing the agricultural landscape of the Union territory. This initiative is poised to empower local farmers and foster sustainable growth in the agri-economy.

Elevating Tourism Infrastructure: Transformative Projects

In addition to agricultural initiatives, PM Modi will spearhead projects valued at over ₹1,400 crore in the tourism sector. Among these, the ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ stands out, promising to enhance the cultural and religious heritage of Srinagar. Furthermore, innovative campaigns such as the ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll’ and the ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign’ are set to ignite enthusiasm for tourism promotion on a national and global scale.

Ensuring Security and Preparedness: Vigilance Measures

Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, stringent security measures have been put in place to safeguard the event and attendees. Bakshi Stadium is adorned with the national tricolour, symbolizing unity and patriotism. Surveillance efforts, including the use of drones, CCTV cameras, and intensified foot patrolling, underscore the commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for the high-profile event.

Amidst Allegations and Expectations: Political Dynamics

The visit has sparked a flurry of reactions, with National Conference leader Omar Abdullah raising concerns about alleged coercion of government employees to attend the rally. Despite such assertions, the BJP anticipates a massive turnout, underscoring the significance of PM Modi’s presence in the Valley. Meanwhile, the composition of a pro-Modi song by a young singer from Anantnag district highlights the diverse sentiments prevailing in the region.

Transformational Leadership: Reshaping Jammu and Kashmir’s Narrative

Senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh lauded PM Modi’s transformative leadership, heralding a paradigm shift from terrorism to tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. The comprehensive development initiatives spearheaded by the Prime Minister signify a bold vision for the region’s future, characterized by progress, prosperity, and peace.

As PM Modi embarks on this historic journey, his visit holds the promise of ushering in a new era of growth and opportunity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive development and prosperity.

Crop Protection Advancement: Minimizing Herbicide Spray Drift

The herbicide applicator, designed to draw crops inside a protective hood while spraying herbicides outside, marks a groundbreaking advancement in crop protection techniques. By precisely directing herbicides at weeds while safeguarding crops within the protective hood, the apparatus minimizes herbicide spray drift, thereby mitigating the risk of phytotoxicity-induced crop damage.

Enhancing Farming Efficiency: Minimizing Crop Damage

Farmers employing pre- and post-emergence herbicides stand to benefit significantly from this innovative solution. By providing a means to control weed plants with minimal crop damage, the herbicide applicator offers a practical and efficient approach to weed management in agricultural settings. The incorporation of protective hoods ensures that crops remain shielded from potentially harmful herbicide spray droplets, thus safeguarding their health and vitality.

Research and Development Success: Collaborative Efforts

The development of the herbicide applicator is the culmination of extensive research conducted by a team of dedicated scientists and post-graduate scholars. Led by scientists Sheeja K. Raj, Jacob D., and Shalini Pillai P, along with scholars Dhanu Unnikrishnan, Anitrosa Innozent, Krishnasree Radhakrishnan, and Seethal Rose Chacko, the project exemplifies the collaborative spirit and innovative prowess of KAU’s Agronomy Department.

Practical Implementation: Addressing Real-World Challenges

The practicality and effectiveness of the herbicide applicator lie in its ability to address real-world challenges faced by farmers. By combining cutting-edge technology with agricultural expertise, KAU has devised a solution that not only enhances farming efficiency but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices. The utilization of protective hoods ensures that herbicides are applied precisely, targeting weeds while minimizing the risk of unintended crop damage.

Future Prospects: Advancing Agricultural Innovation

The patent grant for the herbicide applicator underscores KAU’s commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and supporting the needs of farmers. As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, solutions like the herbicide applicator pave the way for enhanced productivity, profitability, and sustainability in farming practices. With ongoing research and development efforts, KAU remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation, driving positive change in the sector.

Unchanged DAP Rates, New Grades Introduced

Highlighting its dedication to stability and continuity, the Cabinet has maintained the price of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) at ₹1,350 per bag of 50 kg, providing a sense of assurance to farmers who rely on this crucial fertilizer. Moreover, the inclusion of three new fertilizer grades under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme marks a proactive step towards reducing import dependence and promoting self-sufficiency in fertilizer production.

Boosting Agricultural Productivity and Self-Reliance

The substantial increase in subsidy for phosphatic fertilizers, from ₹20.82 to ₹28.72 per kg for the April-September 2024 kharif season, reflects the government’s strategic approach to enhancing agricultural productivity. By incentivizing the use of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers, farmers will be empowered to optimize crop yields and contribute to India’s food security objectives.

Continued Affordability and Accessibility

With the subsidy in place, critical fertilizers like DAP and muriate of potash will remain accessible to farmers at affordable rates, ensuring continuity in agricultural operations without undue financial burden. The stability in pricing coupled with the introduction of new fertilizer grades underscores the government’s proactive measures to address the evolving needs of the agricultural sector.

Empowering Farmers, Strengthening Agriculture

By maintaining subsidy rates for essential fertilizers and introducing new grades under the NBS scheme, the government is actively empowering farmers and bolstering the agricultural ecosystem. This initiative not only supports farmers in maximizing their yields but also fosters self-reliance in fertilizer production, aligning with the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Ensuring Sustainable Agricultural Practices

The Cabinet’s decision to enhance subsidies for P&K fertilizers underscores its commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By incentivizing the use of nutrient-rich fertilizers, the government aims to enhance soil fertility, mitigate environmental degradation, and foster long-term agricultural sustainability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Cabinet’s approval of a substantial subsidy package for P&K fertilizers reflects its unwavering dedication to the welfare of farmers and the growth of the agricultural sector. With measures in place to maintain affordability, introduce new grades, and promote self-sufficiency, the government is poised to catalyze agricultural growth and propel India towards a brighter, more resilient future.

Gurugram-based, Eggoz Nutrition, one of India’s leading egg brands, has brought a new-age egg farming business model, ‘Pragati Poultry Model’, into the egg layer sector with the aim of encouraging a healthy egg industry and paving the way for small farmers to begin their venture in this industry without countering any obstacles. Through Pragati Poultry Model, Eggoz aims to simplify egg farming in India. It will assist farmers who want to start a farm but do not have adequate financial and technical support. Eggoz claims that they would offer them comprehensive assistance and instruction on operating the farm successfully.

According to Abhishek Negi, Co-founder of Eggoz, “Usually, the investment required to set up a farm of 10,000 birds is close to INR 1Cr, and it is not feasible for small scale farmers to pump in such investments. We have introduced a small-scale model for farmers with an investment budget of 3-4 lakhs only. We work with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ICICI Foundation to bring capital to interested farmers.”

“For a new farmer, we provide them complete hand-holding and training on how to run the farm. Since poultry feed is not available in small quantities in the last mile for small farmers, we supply feed to all our farmers and provide them purchase guarantee of all the egg produce. Herein farmers do not face any hassles related to working capital which are solved by us,” Uttam Kumar, co-founder of Eggoz said. While inquiring about the other key benefits of Pragati Poultry Model to the farmers, Aditya Singh, co-founder, Eggoz, said, “We buy the entire produce giving them assurance of money and pay digitally directly to their bank accounts. We also help them with pullets – birds that start laying eggs from day one. We track the entire process through Pragati Farmer App and IoT devices to monitor bird health and feed control. Our doctors’ team visits them regularly to tackle their problems.”

Through a fully supported integration approach, Eggoz Nutrition works directly with farmers, guaranteeing that only natural herbal feed is fed to the birds and utilising IoT and tech platforms. Eggoz claims that they never compromised with the quality standards and deliver eggs that are safer and healthier due to the 11 tests they go through.

“The motive behind this business model, the ‘Pragati Poultry Model’, is to promote and produce higher-quality eggs while simultaneously contributing to the improvement of our farmers’ livelihoods. We feel that this business model will increase egg production in India, assisting in the promotion of healthy egg production while also providing more job opportunities for farmers,” Negi said.

As a part of ‘Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari’ campaign, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, organised One District One Product (ODOP)-based workshop on the processing and value addition of walnuts in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. The event was inaugurated by Ashok Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar. The ODOP workshop aimed to set the stage for all food-tech stakeholders to impart, discuss and acquaint the stakeholders with the new emerging trends in food processing and technological innovation in walnut processing in the Kishtwar district.

Speaking on the occasion, Vishesh Paul Mahajan, Director, Horticulture (Planning and Marketing) Jammu and Kashmir highlighted the importance of the micro food processing sector as the growth driver of the Indian economy and through the PMFME scheme the government’s efforts to encourage food processing in India. The workshop witnessed the presence of industry speakers sharing their insights for micro-enterprises and farmers to pave the way in walnut-based products to scale to domestic and global levels.

Addressing the workshop, Dr Brij Paul, SMS (PP) Dept. of Horticulture, Kishtwar spoke about the relevance of the ODOP for the district. Speaking on the occasion Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar appealed to the orchardists and farmers to come forward and lay a proactive role in the implementation of rolled out schemes of the departments so that the income of these farmers is increased. Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar also informed that the district administration is working on the establishment of model ‘Mandi’ in the district. He further informed that 50 Kanals of land alongside the national highway in the district has been identified to establish the mandi which will provide a common platform for the display, sale and marketing of the product and also provide national-level access to farmers. Khalid Malik General Manager, DIC, Kishtwar conducted a session on ‘Potential Opportunities and Technologies for Micro Entrepreneurs’.

Dr. Syed Zameer Hussain, Head, Division of Food Sc. & Technology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology – Kashmir (SKUAST-K), conducted a session on ‘Scope and future strategies for processing and value addition of walnuts in J&K, particularly in district Kishtwar’. The One District One Product (ODOP) workshop under Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari campaign is one-of-a-kind initiative by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries along with the support of distinguished industry experts to educate and guide the farmers in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir to make informed decisions in order to scale up their food business in walnut processing in the present scenario.

In addition to the participation of the various eminent guest speakers, the event saw the participation of around 300 farmers, orchardists and government officials from across the UT and also the food processing micro-enterprises.

The Agribusiness Incubator (ABI) of the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, has invited applications from agritech startups under the NIDHI-Seed Support Scheme (NIDHI-SSS). NIDHI-Seed Support Scheme is supported by the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), functioning under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

Under the scheme, ABI-ICRISAT will offer: Incubation services for business development and scaling up activities, Access to its mentor and investor network and Ecosystem service partner packages

“We aim to support technology-driven innovative startups in agriculture and allied sectors that can contribute to our mission of a food secure and resilient drylands. We are looking to engage with early revenue stage startups with product-market fit and clarity on their value proposition. The seed fund will enable them to accelerate their commercialisation activities,” said Aravazhi Selvaraj, Head, ABI-ICRISAT. Startups selected for incubation will be evaluated as per scheme criteria to receive funding up to Rs 50 lakh. The last date for submission of the application is April 30, 2022.

International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), a non-profit non-political international organisation, conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with partners from around the world. ICRISAT helps empower the people of drylands to overcome poverty, hunger and degraded environments through better agriculture.

Krishi Udan Scheme was launched in August, 2020 on international and national routes to assist farmers in transporting agricultural products so that it improves their value realisation. Krishi Udan 2.0 was announced in October, 2021 enhancing the existing provisions, mainly focusing on transporting perishable food products from the hilly areas, north-eastern states and tribal areas. Primarily the scheme was focusing on 25 airports of the north-eastern region, hilly and tribal regions namely Agartala, Agatti, Barapani, Dehradun, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Gaggal, Imphal, Jammu, Jorhat, Kullu (Bhuntar), Leh, Lengpui, Lilabari, Pakyong, Pantnagar, Pithoragarh, Port Blair, Raipur, Ranchi, Rupsi, Shimla, Silchar, Srinagar and Tezu. Subsequently, other 28 AAI airports, namely, Adampur (Jalandhar), Agra, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bareilly, Bhuj, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Goa, Gorakhpur, Hindon, Indore, Jaisalmer, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kanpur (Chakeri), Kolkata, Nasik, Pathankot, Patna, Prayagraj, Pune, Rajkot, Tezpur, Trichy, Trivandrum, Varanasi and Visakhapatnam have been included in the scheme, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Gen. VK Singh said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

Krishi Udan is a convergence scheme where eight ministries and departments namely Ministry of Civil Aviation; Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare; Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying; Department of Fisheries; Ministry of Food Processing Industries; Department of Commerce; Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) would leverage their existing schemes to strengthen the logistics for transportation of agri-produce. There is no budgetary allocation for the scheme, the minister further said.

Under the scheme, facilitating and incentivising movement of agri-produce by air transportation by full waiver of Landing, Parking, Terminal Navigational Landing Charges (TNLC), and Route Navigation Facility Charges (RNFC) for Indian freighters and Passenger to Cargo (P2C) at selected airports of Airports Authority of India, primarily around 25 airports focusing on NER, hilly and tribal regions and 28 airports at other areas have been included, Singh informed the upper house of the Indian parliament.

A total of 108,479 metric tonnes of perishable cargo (International + Domestic) was handled in the financial year 2021-22 (till 28 Feb, 2022) in comparison to 84,042 metric tonnes handled in the financial year 2020-21 at AAI airports. Krishi Udan is an ongoing scheme and is reviewed from time to time in consultation with stakeholders, he said.