Project Mausam: Maritime Routes and Cultural Landscapes

• Mausam’ is the initiative of the Ministry of Culture to be implemented by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as the nodal agency with research support from the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and National Museum.
• This project aims to explore the multi-faceted Indian Ocean ‘world’ – collating archaeological and historical research in order to document the diversity of cultural, commercial and religious interactions in the Indian Ocean.
• The main objective of the project is to inscribe places and sites identified under Project Mausam as a trans-national nominations for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
• Mausam has now been extended up to 31st March 2023.
• The unique idea of this project to showcase a Transnational Mixed Route (including Natural and Cultural Heritage) on the World Heritage List has been well appreciated during the Project Launch by India at the 38th World Heritage Session at Doha, Qatar on 20th June 2014.
• The Director General of UNESCO appreciated India’s initiative in launching this unique project and ambassadors of several countries including China, UAE, Qatar, Iran, Myanmar, and Vietnam expressed great interest in this multifaceted cultural project.

About the Project

• Focusing on monsoon patterns, cultural routes and maritime landscapes, Project ‘Mausam’ is examining key processes and phenomena that link different parts of the Indian Ocean littoral as well as those that connect the coastal centres to their hinterlands.
• Broadly, Project ‘Mausam’ aims to understand how the knowledge and manipulation of the monsoon winds has shaped interactions across the Indian Ocean and led to the spread of shared knowledge systems, traditions, technologies and ideas along maritime routes.
• These exchanges were facilitated by different coastal centres and their surrounding environs in their respective chronological and spatial contexts, and simultaneously had an effect on them.
• The endeavour of Project ‘Mausam’is to position itself at two levels:
  1. At the macro level, it aims to re-connect and re-establish communications between countries of the Indian Ocean world, which would lead to an enhanced understanding of cultural values and concerns;
  2. At the micro level, the focus is on understanding national cultures in their regional maritime milieu.

Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)

• Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI), a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), launched in 2010-11, is being implemented in seven eastern states namely Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
• Under the programme, assistance is being provided to the farmers for organizing cluster demonstrations on rice and wheat, seed production and distribution, nutrient  management and soil ameliorants, integrated pest management, cropping system-based training, asset-building such as farm machinery & implements, irrigation devices, site-specific activities and post-harvest & marketing support, etc.
• Under the programme, the Government of India allocates funds to the State and further allocation to the district is made by the respective State Government.
• BGREI programme is intended to address the constraints limiting the productivity of “rice-based cropping systems” in eastern India. Under these systems, the other crops like wheat, coarse-cum-Nutri cereals, pulses & oilseeds are already covered.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

• The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana was introduced with an aim to provide support to the agricultural sector in achieving 4% annual agriculture growth.
• RKVY scheme was launched in the year 2007 and was later rebranded as Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation (RAFTAAR) to be implemented for three years till 2019-20 with a budget allocation of Rs 15,722 crore.
• In a meeting held on 29th May 2007, the National Development Council (NDC), resolved the idea of launching a Central Assistance Scheme (RKVY) concerned of the slow growth in the Agriculture and allied sectors.
• The NDC also aimed at the reorientation of the agricultural development strategies in order to meet the needs of farmers.
• The scheme provided considerable flexibility and autonomy to States in planning and executing programmes for incentivising investment in agriculture and allied sectors.
• The scheme facilitated decentralized planning in the agricultural sector through the initiation of the State Agriculture Plan (SAP) and District Agriculture Plans (DAPs).
• The scheme was based on the agro-climatic conditions ensuring the availability of appropriate technology and natural resources thus providing accommodation for the local needs.

Objectives of RKVY RAFTAAR

• Risk mitigation, strengthening the efforts of the farmers along with promoting agri-business entrepreneurship through the creation of agri-infrastructure.
• Providing all the states with autonomy and flexibility in making plans as per their local needs.
• Helping farmers in increasing their income by encouraging productivity and promoting value chain addition linked production models.
• To reduce the risk of farmers by focusing on increasing the income generation through mushroom cultivation, integrated farming, floriculture, etc.
• Empowering the youth through various skill development, innovation, and agri-business models.

RKVY – RAFTAAR

• A component, the Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development programme has been launched under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in order to promote innovation and agri-entrepreneurship by providing financial support and nurturing the incubation ecosystem.
• These start-ups are in various categories such as agro-processing, artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, farm mechanisation, waste to wealth, dairy, fisheries etc.
• The following are the components of this scheme:

1. Agripreneurship Orientation – 2 months duration with a monthly stipend of Rs.  10,000/- per month.  Mentorship is provided on financial, technical, IP issues etc.
2. Seed Stage Funding of R-ABI Incubatees – Funding up to Rs. 25 lakhs (85% grant & 15% contribution from the incubator).
3. Idea/Pre-Seed Stage Funding of Agripreneurs – Funding up to Rs. 5 lakhs (90% grant and 10% contribution from the incubatee).

National Biopharma Mission

• Towards strengthening the emerging biotechnology enterprise in India, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has initiated the Cabinet-approved National Biopharma Mission entitled: “Industry-Academia Collaborative Mission for Accelerating Discovery Research to Early Development for Biopharmaceuticals – Innovate in India Empowering biotech entrepreneurs & accelerating inclusive innovation”.

The approved objectives of the Mission are enlisted below :

1. Development of products from leads that are at advanced stages in the product development lifecycle and relevant to public health.
2. Strengthening and establishing shared infrastructure facilities for both product discovery validation and manufacturing
3. Developing human capital by providing specific training to address the critical skills gaps in researchers, and nascent biotech companies across the product development value chain, including in business plan development and market penetration.
4. Creating and enhancing technology transfer and intellectual property management capacities and capabilities in public and private sector.

In alignment with the approved objectives the specific targets for the Mission, over a period of five years, include:

• Development of 5 biopharma products – Vaccines, biotherapeutics, medical devices and diagnostics;
• establishment of shared infrastructure and facilities such as GLP Validation and Reference Lab, and CMC facilities;
• Med-Tech validation facility;
• Consortia for translational and interdisciplinary research, process development, development of cell lines and expression systems;
• Clinical trial networks;
• Setting up and establishing of technology transfer offices in public and private sectors, and imparting training for technical and non-technical skill development.

Other Features

• The Mission is to support small and medium enterprises so that they can overcome the risks involved in the early stages of product development.
• To promote entrepreneurship, the Mission is to support enhanced industry-academia inter- linkages and provide mentoring and training for academia, innovators and entrepreneurs to translate knowledge into products/technologies.
• Domestic manufacturing is being promoted through the supported shared national facilities such as GLP Analytical Facilities; CMC facilities for Clinical Trial Lot Manufacturing; Cell Line Repositories; Setting up of Clinical Trial Networks and supporting translational research consortia.

To promote innovation for inclusiveness, the Mission is to strengthen the ecosystem for affordable product development through the following:

• Development of vaccine candidates for Cholera, Influenza, Dengue, Chikungunya and Pneumococcal disease, Rabies and COVID-19;
• Biosimilar products for Diabetes, Psoriasis, Cancer;
• Diagnostic kits; Med Tech Devices for Imaging, Pumps for dialysis and MRI scanners;
• Supporting shared facilities for Biopharmaceutical development (10), Med Tech device development (9) and Vaccine Development (2);
• Establishment of hospital-based and field site-based Clinical Trial Networks for clinical trials of vaccines and bio-therapeutics;
• Supporting Translational Research Consortia (TRC) for infectious diseases to accelerate vaccine development efforts;
• Support for 7 Technology Transfer Offices for promoting entrepreneurship;
• Imparting training to address the critical skill gaps among the nascent biotech companies in areas such as Product development, intellectual property registration, technology transfer and regulatory standards

Delivery of Seeds in India

• The States are primarily responsible to ensure the production, availability and distribution/ supply of quality seeds to the farmers through its Department of Agriculture, state farms, State Seeds Corporation, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Cooperatives and Private Seed Companies etc.  
• The Government of India supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing breeder seeds for seed chain and coordinating seeds requirement and availability through the mechanism of Zonal Seeds Review Meetings prior to each sowing season and weekly video conferences.
• As reported by States, 483.66 lakh qtls. of certified / quality seed is available against the requirement 443.16 lakh qtls. during current year 2020-21.

 The steps taken/being taken for making available quality seeds to the farmers are as under:

• The Government of India is providing financial assistance for production and distribution of seeds of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of different crops to the States and implementing agencies through various ongoing crop development programmes/ schemes viz. National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India (BGREI), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Sub-Mission on Seeds & Planting Material (SMSP) etc.
• The states are encouraged by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare (DAC&FW) to develop a Seed Rolling Plan in advance as per the estimated requirement of seeds in their state, so that the seeds of required variety could be made available at right time to the farmers. DAC&FW also ensures fixation of uniform breeder seeds price in consultation with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for minimization of foundation and certified seed costs.
• Indian Institute of Seed Science, ICAR is also coordinating the production of quality seed in the country through the network of 63 cooperating centres under National Seed Project of ICAR. Single window system for effective planning and implementation of seed production programme and computerized seed sale outlets has been established to guarantee ease in accessibility of quality seeds to farmers at all centres.

In some states quality seed is being made available at every village within the reach of farmers and farmer is facilitated to purchase seed of choice from the desired outlets. Similarly, procurements centres at villages have been established to facilitate procurement by the marketing department. Moreover, some states have well established mandis and generally the seed dealers and other agri-input dealers also have shops in these mandis avoiding involvement of middlemen

Process of Setting up Cold Storage

• The government does not set up cold storage of its own. However, Government is implementing various schemes under which financial assistance is provided for setting up cold storage for storage of agricultural produce including perishable horticulture produce throughout the country.

1) Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

• Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) under which financial assistance is provided for various horticulture activities including setting up of cold storages.
• The component is demand/entrepreneur driven for which Government assistance in the form of credit linked back ended subsidy is available at the rate of 35% of the project cost in general areas and at the rate of 50% of the project cost in hilly and scheduled areas.
• Under MIDH, cold storages are sanctioned by State and Central level Committees constituted for this purpose under operational guidelines of MIDH.
• The cold storages upto a capacity of 5000 MT are eligible for assistance under MIDH.
• The powers for sanction of projects up to project cost of Rs.500 lakh including setting up of cold storage have been delegated to State Level Executive Committee (SLEC).
• Projects with a project cost of more than Rs. 500 lakh and upto a capacity of 5000 MT are approved by the Empowered Monitoring Committee (EMC) of DAC&FW on recommendation of SLEC.
• For seeking assistance for setting up of cold storage under MIDH, promoter is required to submit the proposal to the concerned State Horticulture Mission.

2) Capital Investment Subsidy for Construction /Expansion /Modernization of Cold Storages and Storages for Horticulture Products

• Besides, National Horticulture Board (NHB) is implementing a scheme namely “Capital Investment Subsidy for Construction/Expansion/Modernization of Cold Storages and Storages for Horticulture Products”.

1. Under the scheme, credit linked back-ended subsidy at the rate of 35% of the capital cost of the project in general areas and 50% in case of North East, Hilly States & Scheduled areas for construction/expansion/modernization of cold storage and CA storage of capacity above 5000 MT and up to 10000 MT is available.
2. In case of North East region, the units with capacity above 1000 MT are also eligible for assistance.
3. The Scheme is demand/ entrepreneur-driven.

3) Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure

• Further, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) is implementing a Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure as one of the component of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana with the objective of reducing post-harvest losses of horticulture and non-horticulture produce and providing remunerative price to farmers for their produce.
• Under the scheme, Ministry provides financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid at the rate of 35% for general areas and 50% for North East States, Himalayan States, ITDP areas and Islands for storage and transport infrastructure and at the rate of 50% and 75% respectively for value addition and processing infrastructure subject to a maximum grant-in-aid of Rs. 10 crore per project for setting up integrated cold chain projects including irradiation facility without any break from the farm gate to the consumer.
• The integrated cold chain and preservation infrastructure can be set up by individuals, groups of entrepreneurs, cooperative societies, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), NGOs, Central/State PSUs, etc.
• Standalone cold storages are not covered under the Scheme.
• The organization desiring to set up a cold chain project has to apply against EOI issued from time to time.

One District One Product (ODOP) approach under PM FME Scheme

• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) under the Centrally Sponsored Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PM FME Scheme), provides financial, technical and business support for upgradation of existing micro food processing enterprises.
• The scheme adopts One District One Product (ODOP) approach to reap the benefits of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products.
• The objectives of the scheme are to build capacity of two lakh micro enterprises through increased access to credit, integration with organized supply chain by strengthening branding and marketing, increased access to common services, strengthening of institutions, research & training in the food processing sector.
• ODOP for the scheme has a framework for value chain development and alignment of support infrastructure.
• This scheme is being implemented for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crores.
• ODOP for 707 districts of 35 State/UTs have been approved by the MOFPI.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through One District One Focus Produce (ODOFP) for 728 districts of 36 States/UTs converge resources towards ODOP from ongoing centrally sponsored schemes such as Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), schemes of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• State Level Up-gradation Plan (SLUP) by all States/UTs is based on Agriculture production of ODOPs, industrial scenario, market availability etc.  It enables the States to identify their product clusters, market linkages, stakeholders, the requirement of skill development for beneficiaries, infrastructure support, financial linkages etc.
• The scheme envisages strengthening backwards and forward linkages, provision of common facilities, incubation centres, training, research and development (R&D), marketing and branding.
• The enhanced capacity of processing and value addition in agriculture and allied sector products will lead to a better price realization for the farmers.
• The identified products have the potential for both domestic demand and export and will be promoted in a cluster approach through the converged resources of the Government of India.

Benefits of District-Specific products

Identifying district-specific products would lead to the following benefits to the micro food processing entrepreneurs:

• Increased access to credit by existing Micro Food Processing entrepreneurs, FPOs, Self Help Groups and Co-operatives.
• Integration with organized supply chain by strengthening branding & marketing;
• Support for the transition of existing 2,00,000 enterprises into the formal framework;
• Increased access to common services like common processing facility, laboratories, storage, packaging, marketing and incubation services;
• Strengthening of institutions, research and training in the food processing sector; and
• Empowers SC, ST and Women Entrepreneurs as the scheme lays special focus on SC, ST and women entrepreneurs.
• Increased access for the enterprises, to professional and technical support.

Salient Features

1. Support to Individual Micro Enterprises: Credit-linked capital subsidy @35% of the eligible project cost, maximum ceiling Rs.10 lakh per unit;
2. Support to FPOs/ SHGs/ Producer Cooperatives: Credit linked Grant @35% to support clusters and groups such as FPOs/ SHGs/ Producer Cooperatives along their entire value chain for sorting, grading, storage, common processing, packaging, marketing, testing etc.
3. Support to SHGs for seed capital: Seed capital @ Rs. 40,000/- per member of SHG engaged in food processing for working capital and purchase of small tools.
4. Support for Common Infrastructure: Credit linked grant @ 35% to support FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives, any Government agency or private enterprises for Common infrastructure. The common infrastructure will also be available for other units and public to utilize on hiring basis for substantial part of the capacity.
5. Branding and Marketing Support: Grant upto 50% for Branding and Marketing to groups of FPOs/ SHGs/ Cooperatives or an SPV of micro food processing enterprises.
6. Capacity Building: The scheme envisages training for Entrepreneurship Development Skilling (EDP+): a program modified to meet the requirement of the food processing industry and product-specific skilling.

Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 & 2019

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the former Sultan of Oman, the late Qaboos bin Said Al Said, will be awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2020 and 2019, respectively.

They were selected by the jury, chaired by the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, the leader of the single largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha, Lok Sabha Speaker and founder of Sulabh International.

About the Gandhi Peace Prize:

• The annual award was instituted by the Government of India in 1995 during the commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Usually awarded to those involved in social, economic and political transformation through non-violence.
• The award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a Citation in a scroll, a plaque as well as an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.
• The prize can be given to individuals, associations, institutions or organizations.
• It is open to all persons regardless of nationality, creed, race or sex.

About Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:

• He was known as Bangabandhu. Also regarded as "Jatir Janak" or "Jatir Pita" (both meaning "Father of the Nation") of Bangladesh.
• He was born on 17th March 1920 in Tungipara, India (now in Bangladesh) and passed away on 15th August 1975 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Year 2020 marked the birth centenary of Bangabandhu.
• He was a Bengali leader who became the first prime minister of Bangladesh (1972–75) and later became the president of the same in 1975.
• He began his formal political career in 1949 as a co-founder of the Awami League.
• He played a crucial role in advocating political autonomy for East Pakistan, the detached eastern part of Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
• He was chosen for the Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 in recognition of his outstanding contributions toward social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.

Qaboos bin Said Al Said:

• He has been the Arab world's longest-serving ruler. He ruled Oman for almost half a century.
• In 1970, with the help of the British, Qaboos overthrew his father in a bloodless coup, emerging as the Sultan at age 29.
• He was a visionary leader whose twin policy of moderation and mediation in addressing international issues won him praise and respect across the globe.
• He was also the architect of the special ties between India and Oman as he studied in India and always maintained a special relationship.
• The Gandhi Peace Prize 2019 recognises his leadership in strengthening the ties between India and Oman and his efforts to promote peace in the Gulf region.