AMIGOS IAS Daily Current Affairs (13^th August 2024)

Clean Plant Programme (CPP)

GS 3: Economy: Horticulture

Why is it in the news?

• The Clean Plant Programme (CPP), first introduced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her interim Budget speech in February 2023, has recently received approval from the Union Cabinet. This initiative aims to boost the production and quality of fruit crops in India.

More about the news

About Clean Plant Programme (CPP):

• The Clean Plant Programme (CPP) is an Indian Government initiative under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, designed to enhance the availability of disease-free, high-quality planting material for horticultural crops, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
• The programme seeks an allocation of Rs 1,765 crore, with half of this amount coming from the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) budget and the other half sourced as a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• This programme will be implemented by the National Horticulture Board in association with Indican Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• The concept of CPCs is modelled after successful projects in countries such as the US, Israel, and the Netherlands.

How the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) Works?

• The CPP primarily operates through three main components designed to help farmers access virus-free, high-quality planting material.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: It involves the development of nine Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) which will provide essential services such as disease diagnostics and therapeutics including tissue culture labs, create mother plants for nurseries, and quarantine all domestic and imported planting materials intended for commercial propagation and distribution.

• Enhancement of infrastructure: The programme focuses on enhancing infrastructure by establishing large-scale nurseries to efficiently multiply the clean planting material. The mother plants obtained from CPCs will be propagated in these nurseries and then distributed to farmers.
• Certification and Legal Framework: A robust regulatory and certification system will be implemented under the Seeds Act of 1966, ensuring accountability and traceability in the production and sale of planting materialS.

What is the need for the CPP?

• India, being the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after China, has seen significant growth in the area and production of horticulture crops.
• From 2013-14 to 2023-24, the area under these crops increased from 24 million hectares to 28.63 million hectares, while production rose from 277.4 million metric tonnes to 352 million metric tonnes.

• As a major importer and exporter of fresh fruits, India exported fresh fruits worth $1.15 billion and imported fruits worth $2.73 billion in the financial year 2023-24.
• The rising consumption of fruits has led to increased demand for planting materials of foreign apples and exotic fruits like avocado and blueberry.
• The import process for these plants has traditionally been cumbersome, with imported plants requiring a two-year quarantine period.
• The CPCs are expected to reduce this period to six months, thus facilitating easier access for farmers to disease-free and genuine planting material.
• The CPC supports broader goals like Mission LiFE and the One Health approach by advancing sustainable practices, reducing reliance on imported materials, and positioning India as a global leader in fruit production and export.

Conclusion:

The Clean Plant Programme (CPP) is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing India’s horticulture sector by improving fruit quality, sustainability, and export capabilities, while promoting inclusive growth and involving women farmers to solidify India’s global leadership in the fruit trade

Additional Information:

Key Benefits of the Clean Plant Programme (CPP):

• For Farmers:
• Increased Crop Yields: The CPP provides virus-free, high-quality planting material, aiming to boost crop yields.
• Enhanced Income Opportunities: Improved produce quality leads to better market prices and increased income for farmers.
• For Nurseries:
• Propagation: Streamlined certification processes and infrastructure support will enable nurseries to efficiently produce clean planting material.
• Sustainability: Enhanced facilities will support growth and sustainability within the nursery sector.
• For Consumers:
• Superior Produce: The initiative ensures that consumers receive fruits that are virus-free and improved in taste, appearance, and nutritional value.
• For Exports:
• Global Market Strengthening: By providing higher-quality, disease-free fruits, India will enhance its position as a leading global exporter, expanding market opportunities and increasing its share in the international fruit trade.

About Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH):

• MIDH, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme initiated in 2014-15 aimed at the holistic growth of the horticulture sector. MIDH covers a wide range of crops including fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, bamboo, and cocoa.

Under MIDH, several key measures are being undertaken:

• Plantation Infrastructure Development: Establishing nurseries and tissue culture units to produce quality seed and planting material.
• Area Expansion: Creating new orchards and gardens for various crops, with or without integration (e.g., drip irrigation).
• Rejuvenation: Revitalizing old, unproductive orchards.
• Protected Cultivation: Setting up poly-houses, greenhouses, shade net houses, and walk-in tunnels, along with micro irrigation facilities.
• Promotion of Organic Farming: Encouraging organic practices, certification, and establishing vermi compost units.
• Creation of Water Resources: Developing community tanks, on-farm ponds, and water harvesting systems.
• Pollination Support through Beekeeping: Producing bee colonies, honey bee hives, and related equipment.
• Horticulture Mechanization: Providing power tillers, tractors, and plant protection equipment.
• Human Resource Development: Conducting awareness programs, farmer training, exposure visits, and study tours.
• Post-Harvest Management (PHM) Infrastructure: Setting up cold storage, pack houses, ripening chambers, reefer vehicles, processing units, and food processing facilities in North Eastern States.
• Marketing Infrastructure: Developing static and mobile vending carts, retail outlets, rural markets, wholesale markets, and direct market platforms.

Other Key Government schemes revolutionising Horticulture Sector:

• National Horticulture Mission (NHM): Launched in 2005, NHM promotes holistic growth in the horticulture sector, focusing on enhancing production, improving nutritional security, and providing farmer income support through activities like area expansion, orchard rejuvenation, and post-harvest management.
• Enhanced Support for Horticulture Under PMFBY: The PMFBY caps premium contributions for farmers at 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial and horticultural crops, highlighting the government’s commitment to protecting horticultural crops through targeted insurance solutions.
• Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (HCDP): The HCDP promotes integrated, market-led development of horticulture clusters by leveraging geographical specialization, aiming to optimize productivity, increase exports of focus crops, and enhance global competitiveness of Indian horticulture products.
• Post-Harvest Infrastructure Development Scheme: This scheme addresses post-harvest losses by supporting the establishment of modern facilities such as pack houses, ripening chambers, cold storage units, and processing facilities, aiming to reduce wastage, extend shelf life, and improve returns for farmers.
• Soil Health Card Scheme: Benefiting horticultural farmers, this scheme provides soil health cards with crop-wise nutrient and fertilizer recommendations based on soil sample testing, enabling better soil management, improved yields, and reduced input costs.
• Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH): HMNEH focuses on developing horticulture in North Eastern and Himalayan regions by promoting crops suited to local agro-climatic conditions, aiming to enhance farmers’ livelihoods and support sustainable horticulture practices.

The latest revelation by Hindenburg on the SEBI chief

GS 3: Economy: SEBI

Why is it in the news?

• New York-based Hindenburg Research has recently accused SEBI Chairman Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch of a conflict of interest affecting SEBI’s investigation into insider trading and other violations by the Adani Group.
• Hindenburg’s new allegations are supported by documents, including emails and records showing the Buchs’ investments in Adani Group-related entities through offshore funds.
• The research firm claims that these investments, made via Bermuda and Mauritius-based funds, indicate potential bias and collusion, which may have facilitated the Adani Group’s financial misconduct. However, both Madhabi Puri Buch and the Adani Group have denied these charges.

More about the news

• The allegations include the Buchs’ hidden stakes in offshore funds linked to Adani Group and concerns about their professional engagements.
• Specifically, Hindenburg highlights the Buchs’ investments in the Bermuda-based Global Dynamic Opportunities Fund (GDOF) and the Mauritius-based IPE Plus Fund 1.
• The short seller also links these investments to stock manipulation by Adani associates and a conflict of interest due to Madhabi Buch’s role at SEBI.
• Furthermore, Hindenburg accuses her of delaying divestment from her consulting firm, Agora Partners, until 2022, after her appointment as SEBI Chairperson.
• Another point of contention is Dhaval Buch’s appointment at Blackstone in 2019, a move Hindenburg claims was influenced by SEBI’s regulatory changes beneficial to Blackstone, particularly in real estate investment trusts (REITs).
• However, the Buchs have defended their actions, stating their investments were made before Ms. Buch joined SEBI and that they redeemed their stakes in the funds when a key figure associated with Adani left his position. They also assert that Blackstone’s dealings were unrelated to Dhaval Buch’s role.
• The current status of SEBI’s investigation into the Adani Group’s actions is that it is ongoing. The Supreme Court had previously instructed SEBI to probe whether the losses attributed to Hindenburg’s earlier report involved legal infractions and to complete investigations into two specific allegations.
• SEBI has issued a show cause notice to Hindenburg and completed one investigation while nearing completion of the other. Moreover, the Supreme Court has ruled against transferring the investigation to other agencies but will consider extraordinary circumstances if there is wilful inaction.

Additional Information:

What are offshore funds?

• Offshore funds are mutual fund schemes that invest in equities of a foreign country or fixed income securities of foreign countries often used as tax havens. They are also referred to as foreign funds or international funds.
• Offshore mutual funds, like other mutual funds, are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and must comply with their guidelines.

About Insider Trading:

• Insider trading, also known as insider dealing, is an unethical practice of buying or selling of securities such as equity and bonds by the insiders of a company, which includes the employees, directors, executives and promoters.
• To ensure fair trading and protect common investors, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has prohibited firms from buying back their own shares from the secondary market.

Zika outbreak

GS 3: Science and Technology: Viruses

About the news

• Since the Zika outbreak began on June 20, with the first case reported in Pune, confirmed cases have been steadily increasing.
• By the first week of August, Maharashtra had reported 88 confirmed cases, with Pune city alone accounting for 73. Pregnant women are particularly affected, comprising half of the reported cases.
• Zika virus infections can lead to serious complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and, more critically, microcephaly and other neurological impairments in newborns.
• A January 2023 meta-analysis published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas found that 6.6% of babies born to infected mothers had microcephaly, with additional risks including functional neurological abnormalities, premature birth, and low birth weight.
• There is also a notable risk of sexual transmission from infected men, necessitating awareness and preventive measures.
• It is concerning that the Pune-based ICMR lab only intensified testing after media reports revealed delays due to the Pune Municipal Corporation’s decision to send samples elsewhere.
• Recent outbreaks, such as Nipah in Kerala and Chandipura virus in Gujarat, underscore the urgent need for states to enhance their capacity for high-quality virus testing and sequencing.
• Efficient and timely testing is crucial for swift public health responses to curb outbreaks. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the benefits of decentralized testing and sequencing, a strategy that should be applied to all dangerous pathogens.

Additional Information:

About Zika Virus:

• It is a mosquito borne flavivirus, primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes (Aedes aegyptis and Aedes albopictus)
• It was named after the Zika Forest in Uganda where it was first identified in a monkey in 1947, which later reported in humans in 1952 in Tanzania and Uganda.
• Structure: It has a single-stranded RNA genome thus has the high potential to accumulate mutations (Genomic studies suggested that Zika has 2 lineages – Africa & Asia).
• The African lineage primarily affects monkeys and apes as hosts, with humans as secondary hosts, while the Asian lineage primarily affects humans.
• Symptoms: Most infections in humans are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms including fever, maculopapular rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, fatigue etc.
• Transmission:
• by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.
• It can be transmitted from infected mother to foetus during pregnancy resulting in child born with Microcephaly and congenital malformations (Guillain-Barré syndrome/Zika syndrome).
• It can also spread through sexual contact, Blood transfusion and organ transplantation
• Treatment: Currently, there is no vaccine for Zika virus, and treatment is symptomatic, focusing on hydration, pain relief, and antihistamines, while controlling the spread requires comprehensive vector surveillance and management of Aedes mosquitoes.

Government Measures:

• National Guidelines for Zika virus disease under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.
• National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme-For prevention and control of vector borne disease control
• Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram– An Initiative under National Health Mission for the surveillance of Microcephaly.

UPSC Civil Services Prelims PYQ:

Q. Consider the following statements: (2015)

1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue.

2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

NASA’s Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore could be stuck in Space till 2025

GS 3: Science and Technology: Space

About the news

• NASA’s astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore face an extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to a technical issue with their spacecraft. Initially set to return to Earth by early 2024, they now may remain in space until February 2025.
• Although this unprecedented delay poses no immediate danger, the ISS can comfortably support them. Currently, the station hosts seven astronauts, and it has never been without crew since November 2000. If they return in February, Williams and Wilmore will have the longest unscheduled stay in space.
• Williams and Wilmore arrived at the ISS in June aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which encountered multiple technical problems. Although the spacecraft had earlier flights, it faced new issues upon docking, leaving the astronauts stranded without a return vehicle.
• NASA and Boeing are working to resolve these issues, but if Starliner remains unusable, the earliest return would be via a SpaceX vehicle scheduled for September 2024. 
• Cargo spacecraft, like Cygnus, deliver supplies and take waste back to Earth but cannot transport humans. The ISS can handle up to eight spacecraft simultaneously.
• Extended space missions are not unusual, with astronauts spending up to 438 days on space stations like Russia’s Mir or the ISS. Williams and Wilmore are expected to exceed 250 days on their current mission.
• Past astronauts have faced significant health challenges during extended stays, including bone density loss, muscle deterioration, and potential brain and heart issues.
• NASA’s ongoing studies on these impacts aim to improve understanding and preparedness for future long-duration missions. Astronauts aboard the ISS undergo daily exercise routines to mitigate these effects.

Additional Information:

About Starliner Mission:

• Objective: The Starliner Crew Flight Test aimed to transport NASA astronauts to the ISS and validate the spacecraft’s capability for safe crew transport to and from low-Earth orbit.
• Craft Description: The CST-100 Starliner, developed by Boeing with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, can carry up to seven passengers or a combination of crew and cargo, is reusable up to ten times, and has a six-month turnaround time.
• Significance: The Starliner represents Boeing’s contribution to NASA’s space missions following the Space Shuttle Program’s retirement in 2011, complementing SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft which began cargo deliveries in 2012 and crew transport in 2020.
• Issues Faced: The Boeing Starliner encountered multiple issues, including helium leaks in the propulsion system before and during the trip, and further complications after docking, which raised safety concerns for the return journey and are being addressed by ground engineers.

About International Space Station:

• The International Space Station (ISS), a multi-nation modular space station, was launched in 1998 and its main construction was completed by 2011.
• Modular design allows adding or removing modules for greater flexibility.
• Orbiting in Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of approximately 430 kilometers, it passes over 90% of the Earth’s population.
• It is a collaboration between 15 countries and five space agencies: NASA (US), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada).
• It serves as a large laboratory in space, hosting astronauts for extended periods to conduct microgravity experiments aimed at advancing medicine, technology, science, and our understanding of Earth and the universe.
• The station is divided into two sections:
• The Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) – Operated by Russia,
• The United States Orbital Segment (USOS) – Operated by the US as well as many other nations.
• The ownership & use of the space station is established by intergovernmental treaties & agreements.
• The ISS, operational for 25 years, typically accommodates seven astronauts and has the capacity to house more if necessary. The station, larger than a six-bedroom apartment, includes sleeping quarters, bathrooms, and a gym.

UPSC Civil Services Mains PYQ:

Q. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (2019)

Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS)

GS 3: Science and Technology: Developing New Technology

About the news

• Vehicular traffic today spans roads, airways, water bodies, and even space, making collision avoidance systems (CAS) essential for preventing accidents.
• A CAS uses technologies to help vehicles avoid collisions with others or obstacles. It typically relies on real-time data about the locations of nearby vehicles and the vehicle itself.
• This information is gathered through various instruments, like radar, lidar, and cameras, and used to assist human drivers or autonomous systems in navigating safely.
• For land-based vehicles, CAS helps maintain safe distances between moving cars. For instance, in a scenario with two cars moving in sequence, the system in the rear car monitors the speed and distance from the car in front. If a collision risk is detected, the system can automatically apply the brakes.
• In trains, India’s ‘Kavach’ system serves a similar purpose, integrating onboard computers, trackside components, and communication systems to prevent accidents.
• Kavach involves Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) readers for tracking, real-time communication between locomotives and stations, and automatic braking in emergencies.
• In aviation, collision avoidance systems use transponders and radar to detect and track nearby aircraft. Alerts are issued to pilots if a collision risk is imminent, requiring them to take corrective actions.
• Similarly, ships employ radar and systems like AIS (Automatic Identification System) and LRIT (Long Range Identification and Tracking) to avoid collisions. These systems track and communicate the ship’s location and movement to prevent accidents at sea.
• Satellites have significantly advanced CAS capabilities. For aircraft, the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system uses satellite data to track aircraft positions and movements globally.
• For maritime navigation, satellite-enhanced Automatic Identification Systems (S-AIS) improve tracking of distant ships.
• The Global Positioning System (GPS) and its national equivalents, like India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), enhance CAS by providing precise location data for vehicles and trains, further improving safety and collision avoidance.

Mitra Shakti Exercise 2024

GS 3: Defence: Military Exercise

Why is it in the news?

• The Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army are set to begin the 10th edition of their joint exercise, “Mitra Shakti,” in Maduruoya, Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, starting August 12, 2024 (began 2012).
• This annual exercise is designed to enhance cooperation and coordination between the two armies.

More about the news

• The exercise features participation from 120 soldiers each from the Indian Army’s Rajputana Rifles (Raj Rif) and the Sri Lankan Army’s Gajaba Regiment.
• Both units are elite infantry forces with specialized skills.
• This year’s focus is on joint operations in semi-urban environments, aligning with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which addresses maintaining international peace and security.
• The primary objectives of the exercise include improving operational abilities through shared experiences and best practices, training for counter-terrorism and urban warfare, and strengthening defense ties between India and Sri Lanka.
• The exercise plays a crucial role in promoting regional stability and fostering collaborative efforts to tackle common security challenges, thereby enhancing the military readiness of both nations.

Additional Information:

Other Exercise with Sri Lanka:

About SLINEX (Naval exercise):

• It is an annual bilateral maritime exercise which exemplifies the deep engagement and strengthened cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in the maritime domain.
• SLINEX aims to enhance interoperability, improve mutual understanding and exchanging best practices and procedures for complex maritime operations between both Navies.
• The exercise is being conducted in two phases; the Harbour Phase followed by the Sea Phase.
• The Indian Navy will be represented by INS Kiltan (Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette) and INS Savitri (Offshore Patrol Vessel), while the Sri Lanka Navy will have SLNS Gajabahu (Advance Offshore Patrol Vessel) and SLNS Sagara (OPV) in the exercise.
• SLINEX is in consonance with India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and Prime Ministers’ vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’.

Exercise Udara Shakti 2024

GS 3: Defence:Military Exercise

Why is it in the news?

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) team recently returned to India after participating in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024, which took place from August 5 to 9, 2024, in Kuantan, Malaysia.
• This joint air exercise involved the IAF and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

About the Exercise

• Objective: Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 aimed to enhance interoperability and cooperation between the two air forces by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
• Deployment of Su-30 Fighters: The IAF deployed Su-30MKI fighter jets, while the RMAF fielded Su-30MKM fighters, which are similar in design.
• During the exercise, pilots from both air forces engaged in air combat missions to understand each other’s operational tactics and procedures better.
• The training also included discussions among technical experts on aircraft maintenance, where best practices were identified to improve readiness for future joint operations.

Additional Information:

About Su-30 MKI Fighter Aircraft:

• Sukhoi 30 is a 2-seater, twin-engine multirole superior Fighter Jet manufactured by Sukhoi Aviation Corporation and built under license by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• There are many variants of Sukhoi-30 aircraft, and the variant used by Indian Air Force is Sukhoi 30 MkI.
• Apart from the Russian and Indian Air Force, the other users of Sukhoi-30 aircraft are Algeria, China, Vietnam, Venezuela, Malaysia.
• The Su-30MKI, with a range of 3,000 km and a maximum speed of Mach 2, can sustain a 3.75-hour combat mission with internal fuel.