India Signs Financing Agreement with World Bank for US$ 308.40 Million for National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project-II

India Signs Financing Agreement with World Bank for US$ 308.40 Million for National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project-II

The Financing Agreement for World Bank (IDA) assistance of US$ 308.40 million for National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project-II (NCRMP-II) was signed between Government of India and the World Bank here today. 

The objective of NCRMP-II is to reduce vulnerability to cyclone and other hydro-meteorological hazards of coastal communities in the States of Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and West Bengal; and increase the capacity of the State entities to effectively plan for and respond to disasters. The primary beneficiaries of NCRMP-II will be coastal communities in the target states benefitting from cyclone risk mitigation infrastructure and early warning systems. The project will also finance technical assistance for strengthening of multi-hazard risk management at the national level and improving the quality of available information on multi-hazard risks for decision making across the country.

NCRMP-II has four components which are: (i) Early Warning Dissemination Systems; (ii) Cyclone Risk Mitigation Infrastructure; (iii) Technical Assistance for Multi-Hazard Risk Management; and (iv) Project Management and Implementation Support.

The project is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs through National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). At the State level, it is executed by the respective State Disaster Management Authorities. 

Green Climate Fund

Green Climate Fund

The Government has established the National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC) with a budget provision of Rs. 350 Crores for the year 2015-16 and 2016-17, with an estimated requirement of Rs. 181.5 Crores for financial year 2017-18. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has been appointed as National Implementing Entity (NIE) under the NAFCC.

NABARD has been accredited by Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board as one of the National Implementing Entity (NIE) for GCF in India. According to the GCF Board document, NABARD as one of the NIEs of the Green Climate Fund is responsible for management and oversight of project implementation, which includes the origination and preparation of a funding proposal, the subsequent management of the necessary stages of the implementation process until its conclusion (project management) on behalf of GCF, and reporting obligations. Other institutions meeting the GCF requirements and standards have also applied for accreditation as NIE for GCF in India. This information was given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, in Lok Sabha today. 

Clean Development Mechanism

Clean Development Mechanism

The National Clean Development Mechanism Authority (NCDMA) has accorded Host Country Approval (HCA) to 2, 940 projects. These projects are in the sectors of energy efficiency, fuel switching, industrial processes, municipal solid waste, renewable energy and forestry which spread across the country (covering all states/UTs in India), out of which 1,578 projects from India have been registered under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The NCDMA receives projects for approval under the modalities and procedures of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) as developed by the Executive Board of CDM of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It approves CDM projects that meet the national sustainable development priorities and comply with the statutory and regulatory frameworks.

The Government regularly undertakes capacity-building initiatives and supports CDM projects through workshops, seminars and other activities in collaboration with the industry associations and project proponents in the private and public sector. Several bilateral and multi-lateral funding agencies are also involved in the exercise. CDM Tool Kit was developed in 2007 to promote CDM activities. However, after the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ended in 2012, CDM market has been dormant due to lack of demand by developed countries. This information was given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, in Lok Sabha today. 

Use of Clean Fuel

Use of Clean Fuel

The Government is aware that imposing Bharat-IV norms across India and subsequent imposition of Bharat-V and/or VI norms will greatly help in providing a cleaner environment. The universalisation of Bharat Stage (BS)-IV norms will reduce sulphur content of the fuel to 50 ppm and the implementation of BS-V / BS-VI emission norms will further reduce the sulphur content to 10 ppm and will improve the ambient air quality. Presently BS-IV norms have been implemented in 63 cities covering 15 States including Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR).

The steps taken by the Government to expedite the process of transition to cleaner fuels in the country, inter alia, include:

• Introduction of emission standards for flex fuel ethanol (E 85) and ethanol (ED 95) vehicles by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,

• Introduction of 5% ethanol gasoline fuel blends across the country by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG),

• Constitution of working group on bio-fuels and Hydrogen Corpus Fund by MoP&NG,

• Introduction of alternative fuels like CNG, LPG and bio-diesel (B20),

• Progressive tightening of the emission norms, along with supply of commensurate fuel quality

Endangered Species

Endangered Species

India ranks among the top ten species rich nations in the world and is known for its rich biological diversity and high endemism. Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) under the Ministry carry out surveys and documentation of biological resources including threatened and important species of the country. Survey and exploration of different geographical areas of the country has resulted in a repository of about three million National Reference Collections of plant specimen.

The Indian flora accounts for about 11.4% of the total recorded plant species of the world. As per BSI, India has about 47, 791 species of plants comprising Virus/Bacteria (1, 071), Algae (7, 309), Fungi (14, 936), Lichens (2, 434), Bryophytes (2, 531), Pteridophytes (1, 274), Gymnosperms (77) and Angiosperms (18, 159) already identified and classified so far.

Studies conducted by ZSI have recorded over 96,000 species of animals from India. Among these, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed 18 species of amphibians, 14 fishes, 13 bird species and 10 mammals as critically endangered; 310 species as endangered, including 69 fishes, 38 mammals and 32 amphibians. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has been enacted for protection of wild animals, birds and plants against hunting and commercial exploitation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products. The National Biodiversity Act, 2002, also ensures protection of threatened plant species and their habitats. Under the provisions of Biodiversity Act 2002 the threatened species are identified state wise. MoEF has already issued notifications to this effect for 14 states viz., Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Orissa, Meghalaya, Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Tripura. 

Production of Fruits and Vegetables

Production of Fruits and Vegetables

The details of major fruits and vegetables producing countries in the world and India’s position may be seen at Annexure-I.

The details of demand and production of fruits and vegetables during the last three years may be seen at Annexure-II.

The details of quantum of fruits and vegetables exported to foreign countries during the last two years are given at Annexure-III.

To boost  the  production  and productivity of vegetables and  fruits  in the country Government  is  implementing Horticulture Mission for  North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH)   including  Uttarakhand   and   National  Horticulture  Mission  (NHM)   in   the remaining  states  under  Mission  for   Integrated  Development of   Horticulture (MIDH). These  schemes  provide  support  for production of  planting material, high  yield variety vegetable   seed    production,  vegetable  cultivation,  rejuvenation  of   senile  orchards, protected  cultivation,  creation  of water  resources, creation of infrastructure  to prevent post   harvest   losses  of   horticultural  crops   and  for  adoption  of  Integrated  Nutrient Management (INM)/Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Annexure-I

Major Fruit Producing Countries in the World
Country	2013
	Production (Million Tonnes)
China	154.364
India	82.632
Brazil	37.774
USA	26.986
Spain	17.699
Mexico	17.553
Italy	16.371
Indonesia	16.003
Philippines	15.887
Turkey	15.341
Others	276.06
World total	676.67

Major Vegetables producing Countries in the World
Countries	2013
	Production    (In Million tonnes)
China	583.32
India	121.02
USA	34.28
Mexico	13.24
Italy	13.05
Spain	12.7
Turkey	28.28
Iran	23.65
Russian Federation	15.49
Egypt	19.59
Others	271.07
World	1135.69

Source: FAOSTAT Website (http://faostat3.fao.org/home/E) as on 1st July 2015

Annexure-II

Demand and Production of Fruits and Vegetables during the Last Three Years

Year	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Total Demand (F & V) (‘000 tons)	222750.5	229707.1	235528.2	239794.9
Production (F &V) ('000 tons)	232749.0	243471.0	251874.0	257119.6 *
* Provisional
Source:
Production:- Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.
Demand: - NSSO Report No 541  66th Round  Survey  (July 2009 - June 2010)

Annexure-III

Export of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
		Qty. In Tonnes
Year	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Fresh Vegetables	2343881	2291751	2019342
Fresh Fruits	534619	525224	484373
Total	2878500	2816975	2503715

            Source: APEDA website

Indian Council of Agricultural Research Vision-2050

Indian Council of Agricultural Research Vision-2050

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is constantly upgrading its research agenda to meet the future challenges and prepared a 'Vision-2050'. The details on ICAR Vision, Mission, Guiding Principles and Focus Area of Research in this Vision Document are given in Annexure-I. The document is available on ICAR website (http://www.icar.org.in).

             

The steps taken for providing new technologies to the farmers across the country include setting up of 642 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and 652 Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMAs) at district level. In addition the farmers are provided information through Focused Publicity Campaigns, Kisan Call Centres (KCCs), Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) of entrepreneurs,  Agri Fairs and exhibitions, Kisan  SMS Portal , DD Kisan TV Channel and Community Radio Stations.

       

Besides, assistance to State Governments is provided for boosting the agriculture production under various schemes of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation viz. National Mission of Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET), Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation (ISAC), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC), Agriculture Technology Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).

   

In addition to generation of new technologies, the large network of ICAR Institutes and Agricultural Universities across the country also provides information to farmers regarding techniques and best practices for getting higher production through various outreach and extension education programmes.

The project-wise details are as follows:

·         Farmers FIRST: The objectives of the 'Farmer FIRST' initiative is to move beyond the production and productivity and to privilege the complex, diverse & risk prone realities of the farmers through enhancing farmers-scientists contact with multi stakeholders participation for technology development and application. The project has been conceptualized with focus on Enriching Farmers –Scientist interface; Technology Assemblage, Application and feedback; Partnership and Institutional Building and Content Mobilization.

·         ARYA: The ICAR has initiated a program on “Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) in selected districts through KVKs with an objective for entrepreneurial development of Youth in Rural Areas to take up various Agriculture, allied and service sector enterprises for sustainable income and gainful employment. The identified youth are trained on entrepreneurship development skills by providing a basket of options to start agriculture ventures for self employment.

·         Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav:   The “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” has been conceptualized in which scientists of ICAR and Agricultural Universities will identify villages in the vicinity of the Institutions for providing advisories and consultations to farmers for increasing farm productivity and production.  

Annexure-I

[Part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha USQ No.3663 for 11-08-2015]

Details on ICAR Vision, Mission, Guiding Principles and Focus Area of Research of ICAR Vision- 2050 

ICAR Vision: Lead India to attaining sustainable food, nutritional, environmental and livelihoods security through agricultural research and education.

ICAR Mission: Harness the power of science and innovation for food security, food safety, farmer prosperity and enhance natural resources base to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development 

Guiding Principles: The guiding principles for Future Research and Education that will provide direction to ICAR for determining its future research and education investment priorities and strategic framework are :

·         Provide leadership in ensuring national food and nutritional security, farmers’ prosperity, consumer health and enhancing the natural resource base of agriculture for future generations.

·         Ensure strategic competitive advantage of Indian agriculture to enable access to the existing and emerging markets, and address the emerging challenges.

·         Leverage the advances in other sciences, engineering and social science to enhance agricultural research.

·         Nurture scientific excellence and promote interdisciplinary, systems-based, knowledge-intensive, problem-solving research.

·         Promote economic opportunities for the rural community and society.

·         Promote complementary partnerships for value addition in agriculture and accelerate innovation.

·         Respond proactively to farmers, consumers, partners and policy makers.

·         Promote ethical conduct, scientific integrity and accountability of performance and decisions.

·         Promote organizational transformation to an efficient, effective, and responsive innovation system.

·         Support higher education and create educational environments that foster continuous learning.

Focus Areas of Research

·         Genetic potential enhancement of agricultural commodities.

·         Agricultural productivity, efficiency and profitability improvement.

·         Resilience to climate change and abiotic and biotic stresses.

·         Improve Nutritional food, and health security.

·         Risk management against climate change and market stressors.

·         Agricultural value chains.

·         Sustainability of natural resources base of agriculture.

·         Valuation of ecosystem services.

·         Agricultural markets, policies, and institutions.

·         Bio-security, especially emerging from gene piracy and cross-border vector borne diseases.

·         New products and uses(e.g, bio-energy, new crops, synthetic foods, special foods)