POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. PREVENTIVE DETENTION LAW

TAGS:GS-II-POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT:Recently, the supreme court said that preventive detention laws in India are a colonial legacy with great potential to be abused and must be used only in the rarest of rare cases.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is preventive detention?

• Preventive detention is when a person is held in police custody only on the basis of a suspicion that they would conduct a criminal act or cause harm to society. The police have the authority to hold anyone they suspect of committing a criminal offence.
• The police have the ability to make arrests without a warrant or a magistrate’s authorization in certain cases. Preventive detention was undoubtedly an important part of the colonial legal system in India.
• Surprisingly, the framers of the Indian Constitution, who had been the most oppressed by the preventive detention legislation, did not fail to provide the statutory validity to the same in independent India.
• The word detention simply means when any person is arrested or taken into custody. It can be legal as well as illegal. But when it comes to the security of the state and benefit of the society, there comes a new term which is Preventive Detention.

There are commonly two types of detentions:

• Punitive detention, which means detention as a punishment for the criminal offence. It occurs after an offence is actually committed, or an attempt has been made towards the commission of that crime.
• On the other hand, preventive detention means a person’s incarceration in advance to prevent any further possibility of the commitment of crime or its engagement. Preventive detention is, therefore, an action taken on the basis of apprehension that the person in question might do some wrongful act.

HEALTH ISSUES

2. CHAGAS DISEASE

TAGS:GS-II-HEALTH ISSUES- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: The World Health Organization (WHO) is observing World Chagas Disease Day April 14, 2023 to raise awareness about this little-known disease that affects millions every year, especially the poor population and people in Latin America.

THE EXPLANATION:

• In 2019, the 72nd World Health Assembly dedicated this day to the disease. This year’s theme is “time to integrate Chagas disease into primary health care”.

What is Chagas disease?

• Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis, is a communicable parasitic disease that has infected 6-7 million people and claims around 12,000 lives every year across the globe.
• It is caused by the parasite protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasites are mainly transmitted by a family of bugs called ‘triatomines’, also known as the ‘kissing bug’. These blood-sucking bugs transmit the disease from infected to healthy individuals through bites and by defecating on them.
• The systemic, chronic disease manifests as fever, headaches, rashes and inflammatory nodules, nausea or diarrhoea and muscle or abdominal pain. A majority of the patients (70-80 per cent) show an asymptomatic clinical course throughout their lives, making early detection challenging. It is often referred to as the “silent and silenced disease”.
• An individual can also contract this disease through congenital transmission (pregnant woman to their baby), blood transfusions, organ transplantation, consumption of uncooked food contaminated with faecal matter of infected bugs or even accidental laboratory exposure. The disease, however, cannot propagate by casual contact with infected humans or animals.
• The disease is named after physician Carlos Chagas who first detected it in a Brazillian child in 1909.

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

3. NEW FROG SPECIES FOUND IN MEGHALAYA SIJU CAVE

TAGS: GS-III- ENVIRONMENT- SPECIES IN NEWS

THE CONTEXT: Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of frogs from deep within the Siju cave in the South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The ZSI team named the new cascade species Amolops siju after the cave from where this discovery was made, according to a press note by the researchers. Siju is a four-kilometre-long natural limestone cave.
• Cascade Frogs are named so because of their preference for small waterfalls or cascades in flowing hill streams.
• The genus Amolops is one of the largest groups of ranid frogs (family Ranidae) with currently over 70 known species that are widely distributed across northeast and north India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, through Indochina, to the Malaya Peninsula.
• The discovery of new species from a cave is very rare. This is the second time such a discovery has been made in India — the first being the discovery of the Micrixalus spelunca in 2014 from a cave in Tamil Nadu
• The specimens of Amolops siju were collected in January 2020 during a cave expedition by the ZSI team. The tissue samples of the specimen were subjected to molecular studies to ascertain their specific identity from the other known species of cascade Amolops frogs.
• Based on the morphological, molecular and spatial data, the team concluded this frog from the Siju cave was new to science and decided to name the new species after the cave.
• Although the specimens were collected 60-100 metres from the cave entrance and the dark zones beyond 100 m of the cave entrance, the team did not find any troglobitic or cave-adapted modification, suggesting that this species of frog is not a permanent resident of the shelter.

4. WHAT IS CRAB NEBULA?

TAGS: GS-III- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY- PRELIMS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, scientists have mapped the iconic Crab Nebula’s magnetic field in greater detail than ever before using NASA’s latest X-ray telescope.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The Crab Nebula is the remnant of a massive stellar explosion, or supernova, that occurred in the year 1054 and left behind a dense object called the Crab Pulsar with a mass about twice that of Earth’s sun. This nebula is one of the most thoroughly studied cosmic objects, but new observations suggest that it’s far more complex than scientists had thought.
• In the 1970s, Weisskopf, now an emeritus astronomer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and his colleagues measured X-ray polarization from the Crab Nebula to understand its extreme environment and found that Crab has an average polarization of about 20%.
• The findings indicate that the X-rays in the Crab Nebula originate from the outer magnetic field region, known as the “wind” region. However, the exact location and mechanism of this process are yet to be determined.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN NEWS

5. A-HELP(ACCREDITED AGENT FOR HEALTH AND EXTENSION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION) PROGRAMME

TAGS: GS-II-GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

THE CONTEXT:Recently, the ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme was launched in the State of Uttarakhand. It is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and the Ministry of Rural Development.

THE EXPLANATION:

• ‘A-Help’ are community-based women activist groups who do tasks like assisting veterinarians in local departmental activities, helping cattle rearers to get loans for entrepreneurship development, filling applications.
• Under the A-Help scheme envisaged by the Government of India, women have been selected to strengthen livestock related activities in remote rural areas. They help in implementing various schemes and providing information to the farmers at the ground level.
• Under this,trained A-Help workers will contribute significantly in prevention of various infectious diseases in animals, artificial insemination, animal tagging and animal insurance under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

VALUE ADDITION:

About Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• The “Rashtriya Gokul Mission” aims to conserve and develop indigenous breeds in a focused and scientific manner.
• The potential to enhance the productivity of the indigenous breeds of India through professional farm management and superior nutrition is immense, for this it is essential to promote conservation and development of indigenous breeds.
• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is a focussed project under National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development.
• The Mission will be implemented with the objectives to:
• Development and conservation of indigenous breeds
• Undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle breeds so as to improve the genetic makeup and increase the stock;
• Enhance milk production and productivity;
• Upgrade non descript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi
• Distribute disease-free high genetic merit bulls for natural service.

THE CONTEXT: One of the biggest announcements in the Union Budget 2019–20 was to promote zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF) on a massive scale. Terming it as “going back to basics,” the finance minister made a strong pitch for the implementation of ZBNF. However, there have been mixed results and responses ever since. The following article intends to analyse the efficacy of ZBNF in doubling farmers’ income in India.

ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING (ZNBF): KEY FACTS

• Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZNBF) means raising crops without using any fertilizers and pesticides or any other external materials. The word Zero Budget refers to the zero cost of production of all crops.
• ZBNF guides the farmers towards sustainable farming practices thus helps in retaining soil fertility, to ensure a chemical free agriculture and ensure low cost of production (zero cost) and thereby enhancing the farmers income.In short, ZBNF is a farming method that believes in growing crops in tune with nature.
• The concept was promoted by agriculturist & Padma Shri awardee Subhash Palekar, in the mid-1990s as an alternative to the Green Revolution’s methods driven by chemical fertilizers and pesticides and intensive irrigation.
• Government has been promoting organic farming under the dedicated scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) which encourages all kinds of chemical-free farming systems including Zero Budget Natural Farming.

FOUR PRINCIPLES OF ZBNF

• Jeevamrutha: A composition of cow dung and cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour, water and soil is applied on the farmland.
• Bijamrita: It is a mixture of neem leaves and pulp, tobacco and green chillies prepared for insect and pest management, that can be used to treat seeds.
• Acchadana (Mulching): It protects topsoil during cultivation and does not destroy it by tilling.
• Whapasa: It is the condition where there are both air molecules and water molecules present in the soil. Thereby, providing water to maintain the required moisture-air balance.

NEED TO IMPLEMENT ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING IN INDIA

• Soil degradation: The excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to soil degradation, which has negatively impacted the soil’s fertility and health. ZBNF promotes natural farming techniques that help to restore soil health and fertility.
• Chemical contamination: The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to contamination of the soil and water sources, posing a threat to public health. ZBNF avoids the use of chemicals, thus reducing contamination of the environment.
• High input costs: Traditional farming methods require a high input of resources such as water, seeds, and chemical fertilizers, which can be expensive for small-scale farmers.
  • National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data indicates more than 50 per cent of all farmers are in debt due to increased cost of farm inputs like fertilizers and chemical pesticides.
• Climate change: Agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which are the primary cause of climate change. ZBNF promotes carbon sequestration in the soil and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Biodiversity loss: Modern farming practices have led to a loss of biodiversity, as they often involve the use of monoculture crops and the destruction of natural habitats. ZBNF promotes crop diversity and the preservation of natural habitats, which can help to conserve biodiversity.
• Farmer distress: Farmers in India face several challenges, including low income, debt, and crop failure. ZBNF can help to reduce farmers’ expenses and increase their income by promoting natural farming techniques that are cost-effective and yield better results.
  • The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data shows that almost 70% of agricultural households spend more than they earn and more than half of all farmers are in debt.
  • In States such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, levels of indebtedness are around 90%, where each household bears an average debt of ₹1 lakh.
• Food security: India is facing a challenge of providing food security to its growing population. ZBNF can help to increase crop yields, thus improving food security in the country.
• Doubling Farm income: To achieve the Central government’s promise to double farmers’ income by 2022, one aspect being considered is natural farming methods such as the ZBNF which reduce farmers’ dependence on loans to purchase inputs they cannot afford.

CASE STUDY

• Andhra Pradesh launched ZBNF in September 2015 under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), Govt. of Andhra Pradesh is conducting experiments to generate the scientific evidence of the ZBNF in collaboration with University of Reading, UK World Agro forestry Centre, Nairobi, FAO & resource NGOs/Civil Society Organizations like Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Hyderabad.
• In June 2018, Andhra Pradesh rolled out an ambitious plan to become India’s first State to practice 100% natural farming by 2024.
• A study – “Life Cycle Assessment of ZBNF and Non-ZBNF in Andhra Pradesh” – reports the following benefits:

        o   ZBNF processes require 50–60 per cent less water and less electricity (than non-ZBNF) for all the selected crops.

      o   ZBNF reduces methane emissions significantly through multiple aeration. It also has the potential to avoid residue burning by practicing mulching.

GOVERNMENT STEPS FOR PROMOTING ZBNF

• Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP): It is a sub-mission under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). BPKP aims at promoting traditional indigenous practices, which give freedom to farmers from externally purchased inputs. It focuses on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of cow dung–urine formulations; and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs either directly or indirectly.
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):Under the PKVY scheme, several organic farming methods like zero budget natural farming (ZBNF), natural farming, vedic farming, rishi farming, cow farming, homa farming, etc. are included wherein states adopt any model of organic farming including ZBNF depending on the farmer’s choice.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): According to the RKVY scheme, organic farming or natural farming model components are considered by the respective State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC). Under this scheme, the government provides financial assistance to states to promote organic farming, including ZBNF.
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): The NMSA is a scheme that aims to promote sustainable agriculture practices in India. Under this scheme, the government provides financial assistance to farmers to adopt sustainable agriculture practices, including ZBNF.
• ICAR through its Plan Scheme ‘Network Project on Organic Farming (NPOF)’ is undertaking research in 20 centers covering 16 states to develop location-specific organic farming package of practices for crops and cropping systems. Organic farming package of practices for 51 crops/cropping systems have been developed to provide technical backstopping to the line departments’ schemes implemented in the country.
• The Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER), promotes 3rd party certified organic farming of niche crops of north east region through Farmer Producer Organisations(FPOs) with a focus on exports. Farmers are given assistance of Rs. 25000/ha for three years for organic inputs including organic manure and bio-fertilizers etc. Support for formation of FPOs, capacity building, post-harvest infrastructure up to Rs. 2 Crores is also provided under the scheme.
• 100 percent assistance is provided to State Governments/ Government agencies through Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) under Soil Health Management Scheme for setting up of mechanized fruit/ vegetable market place, waste/ agro-waste compost production unit to the extent of Rs.190.00 Lakh/unit (capacity of 3000 tonne/annum of finished compost). Similarly, for individuals/private agencies, assistance up to 33 percent of cost, limited to Rs. 63 lakh/unit as capital investment is provided for the purpose.
• The farmers are encouraged to use organic inputs by providing financial assistance through a number of other schemes. For example, under the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) and National Food Security Mission (NFSM), financial assistance at 50 per cent subsidy to the tune of Rs. 300/- per ha is provided for the use of organic inputs.

ISSUES WITH IMPLEMENTING ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING IN INDIA

• Lack of awareness: Many farmers in India are not aware of ZBNF techniques, and there is a need for widespread education and awareness campaigns to promote the practice. This is particularly true for small and marginal farmers, who may lack access to information and resources.
• Lack of infrastructure: ZBNF requires infrastructure such as seed banks, compost pits, and cow sheds, which may be lacking in many rural areas in India. Building this infrastructure can be a significant challenge, particularly in remote and marginalized communities.
• Limited government support: While the Indian government has launched several initiatives to promote ZBNF, there is a need for more financial and technical support to help farmers adopt the practice. This includes the provision of subsidies, training programs, and access to credit.
  • The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, which was meant to promote organic farming and soil health has been allocated Rs 325 crore only, whereas Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, a flagship Green Revolution scheme had an allocation of Rs 3,745 crore for the financial year 2019-20.
• Resistance from farmers: Some farmers may be resistant to change, particularly if they have been using traditional fertilizer-intensive farming methods for generations which gives good volumes of produce.
• Market barriers: There are market barriers to the adoption of ZBNF, particularly if the demand for organic produce is low. Farmers may need to be assured of a market for their produce before they are willing to adopt ZBNF.
• Question of sustainability: Though limited studies in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have shown a decline in the input costs and improvement in yields, the long terms returns were seen dropping in a few years.
  • At a time when the estimates of the World Bank suggest that the percentage of agriculture workers of total workforce would drop to 25.7% by 2050 from 58.2% in 2001 (MoF 2018), these labor-intensive tasks in ZBNF will definitely pose a challenge to farmers.

BOTTOMLINE:

• Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) has been promoted in India as a sustainable option for doubling farm incomes. However, its effectiveness in achieving this goal depends on several factors, including the scale of implementation, the availability of resources and infrastructure, and the market demand for organic produce.
• ZBNF reduces the cost of inputs, which can increase farmers’ incomes, especially for small and marginal farmers who may not have access to expensive inputs.
• Furthermore, ZBNF can also improve soil health and fertility, increase crop yields, and reduce the risk of crop failure, which can lead to higher incomes. ZBNF can also promote the use of indigenous seeds, which can be more resilient to local conditions, and promote crop diversity, which can help to reduce the risk of crop failure.
• However, there are also some challenges in scaling up ZBNF to achieve the goal of doubling farm incomes. For example, there may be a lack of awareness among farmers, a lack of infrastructure and resources, and a lack of market demand for organic produce. Additionally, ZBNF may require a shift in mindset from farmers who have been using chemical-intensive farming methods for many years.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Promoting Awareness: One of the most crucial steps for the future of ZBNF in India is to create awareness among farmers about its benefits. This can be done through training programs, workshops, and field demonstrations. It is essential to educate farmers about the principles of ZBNF, the advantages of natural farming, and the techniques involved in implementing ZBNF.
• Scaling up ZBNF: To make ZBNF more effective, it is necessary to scale it up to a larger area. It can be done through government schemes and initiatives that provide financial assistance to farmers. The government can also collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to promote the adoption of ZBNF practices.
• Infrastructure and Resource Availability: Availability of resources such as water, seeds, and fertilizers are essential for the successful implementation of ZBNF. The government needs to provide the necessary infrastructure to enable farmers to access resources and inputs. This includes the development of irrigation facilities, seed banks, and the provision of organic inputs.
• Market Linkages: Another critical aspect of the future of ZBNF in India is to establish market linkages for the sale of organic produce. The government can set up a robust supply chain network that connects farmers directly with consumers or through intermediaries. This will help farmers to get better prices for their produce, which will motivate them to continue with natural farming.
• Research and Development: Research and development are essential for the future of ZBNF in India. The government should promote research in ZBNF to develop new techniques and technologies that can improve the productivity and profitability of natural farming. The development of appropriate technologies and farm machinery for ZBNF can help farmers to reduce the drudgery of manual labor and increase productivity.
• Holistic approach for agriculture: In addition to improvising cropping patterns through ZBNF, the GOI also need to bring reforms in policies like MSP, which have brought about a trend of monocropping and fertilizer intensive cropping in India.

THE CONCLUSION: ZBNF can be a sustainable option for doubling farm incomes in India if implemented effectively and at scale. It has the potential to improve soil health, reduce input costs, increase crop yields, and promote sustainable agriculture. However, achieving this goal will require concerted efforts from policymakers, farmers, and other stakeholders to promote the adoption of ZBNF and address the challenges associated with its implementation.

Questions

• Discuss in detail how can the implementation of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in India help in reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and promote the use of natural inputs.
• In the face of multi-dimensional issues like climate change and food security, the concept of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) provides a lasting solution for reviving Indian agriculture. Examine critically.