ONS Edition 1

Article: NABARD proposes to establish ‘Climate Chair’ at Kerala Agricultural University (Hindu, 9th December 2024)

Article Summary: Together with the College of Climate Change and Environmental Science and NABARD, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) hosted a workshop on disaster risk mitigation and climate-smart agriculture. Considering the devastating effects of climate change on farming and associated industries, the gathering emphasized the importance of finding long-term solutions and switching to renewable energy sources. A 'climate chair' at KAU was suggested by NABARD, who also promised complete backing for climate-related research. Climate change mitigation initiatives and carbon emission reduction calculations in Kerala were analyzed by environmental specialists.

Article: Addressing Agricultural Challenges (Daily Excelsior, 9th December 2024)

Article Summary: Scientists and politicians in the agricultural sector must act quickly to solve the problems that have recently been brought to light in President Droupadi Murmu's speech at the Odisha University of Agricultural and Technology's 40th convocation. Several factors, including rising populations, resource depletion, and climate change, pose serious risks to agricultural output. Pesticide and chemical fertilizer overuse have degraded soil quality, contaminated water sources, and damaged the environment for generations to come. Food security is becoming more complicated as farm sizes decrease. It is necessary to have a comprehensive approach that combines sustainable behaviors with scientific innovation. Scientists in the field of agriculture need to take the initiative to find solutions to these critical problems. New developments in integrated pest control, agroforestry, and organic farming can lessen the industry's reliance on chemical inputs and lessen the negative impact they have on the environment. Preserving food security will depend critically on research on climate-resilient crops. Environmental protection, including the preservation of soil and water, is more important than ever. Revitalize damaged land using methods like biofertilizers, cover crops, and crop rotation. To combat the increasing depletion of this essential resource, it is crucial to emphasize water conservation measures like micro-irrigation and rainwater collection. These approaches need to be supported by scientists and policymakers who can guarantee their scalability and economic viability for farmers. A tribute to India's resiliency and inventiveness is the country's outstanding increase in agricultural output during the previous decade. The ability of the upcoming crop of Indian scientists, businesspeople, and politicians to make agriculture a viable and lucrative industry is crucial to the country's agricultural future. Because of the many points of intersection between data science, biotechnology, environmental science, and agriculture, it is essential to foster interdisciplinary partnerships.

Article: China to boost Punjab's agriculture with robotic technology (The Express Tribune, 09th December 2024)

Article Summary: The Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, has inked an MoU with AI Force Tech of China to collaborate on the research, development, and production of robotic equipment to boost agricultural productivity in the province. The goals of the MoU are to solve problems experienced by farmers, increase productivity, and modernize Punjab's agricultural industry. During her tour of cutting-edge robotic farming equipment, Nawaz emphasized her dedication to bringing cutting-edge technology to the agricultural industry. A group from AI Force Tech will visit Punjab at the invitation of the Chief Minister, and the state will also welcome a new robotic agricultural equipment production unit from the company. Starting on Monday, Nawaz will be visiting several institutions in China, including hospitals and schools, during her eight-day visit. Six high-ranking Communist Party of China officials, as well as Pakistan's ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi and his wife, greeted her with open arms. Nawaz thanked the Chinese people for their support, saying it has the ability to catapult Punjab to new economic heights.

Article: Africa’s worsening food crisis — it’s time for an agricultural revolution (Down To Earth, 09th December 2024

Article Summary: According to the United Nations' State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 study, undernourishment is at 20.4% across the globe, with food insecurity being the highest in Africa. Since 2015, this number has increased consistently. The postcolonial plans and concepts that governed Africa's food production and efforts to decrease malnutrition are at the core of the problem, which is exacerbated by climate change and violence. According to the author of the new book "Decolonising African Agriculture: Food Security, Agroecology and the Need for Radical Transformation," donors and decision-makers should shift their attention away from commercial agricultural production in order to alleviate food insecurity. The book argues that agricultural development should not be seen as just a means to support other industries through commercialization of farming, but rather as an opportunity to embrace an agroecological approach that harnesses farmer knowledge and natural ecological processes to increase yields while decreasing the use of fertilizers and other harmful inputs. It is critical to move towards a more decolonial strategy since conventional methods have failed in many countries and circumstances. Agroecology, which means "farming with nature," is an alternative method that is less reliant on colonial power. It incorporates both scientific studies and the common wisdom of farmers through field experiments. More sustainable and less expensive options can be found through it, and it can also show how to generate more with less expensive external inputs. The agroecological methods commonly used in African farming systems, such as agroforestry and polycropping, are known to reduce pest infestations and improve soil fertility. A growing number of African civil society organizations see agroecology as a viable solution to the continent's spiraling food problem. Donors and African government officials, however, have been slower to see the light about the necessity of a new strategy. A few encouraging developments include the European Union supporting a handful of experimental agroecology programs and the recent shift in Senegal's agriculture minister, Papa Abdoulaye Seck, toward a more agroecology-oriented vision for the future.