The Center launched a new AI-based monitoring system for pest management
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The central government has unveiled the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS), an AI-powered platform designed to help farmers manage pests by connecting them with agricultural scientists and experts through mobile phones. .
Promotion of scientific pest management
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has highlighted that the NPSS aims to reduce farmers' dependence on pesticide retailers and encourage a scientific approach to pest control.
The system uses AI to analyze data, giving farmers timely advice on pest management.
Benefits for farmers and the environment
NPSS, expected to help around 14 crore farmers, enables users to send photos of infected crops to experts for quick identification and advice.
Union Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi emphasized that this system will help in the precise use of pesticides, improve pest control, increase crop yields, and preserve soil health. This technology has been successfully tested and will be promoted in the states.
Why did the Prime Minister of Japan leave the post?
On August 14, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), ending his term earlier than expected.
Constant challenges during Kishida's tenure
Kishida, who took office in October 2021, has struggled with low approval ratings and has faced controversies, including the LDP's ties to the Unification Church and a fundraising scandal.
The scandal has affected his position despite pressure to disband his faction and disband other factions. Although prosecutors chose not to indict him or other senior LDP leaders, Kishida's popularity remains low, with 74% of respondents opposing his continued leadership.
Leadership contenders and prospects
With Kishida gone, potential successors are gearing up for leadership elections. The candidates include Shigeru Ishiba, LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi, Digital Minister Taro Kono, Economic Security Minister Sane Takaichi, and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.
The new leader will have to address Japan's economic issues before the next national election and boost the LDP's electoral prospects.
Digital platform powered by drone mapping ready to revive solar energy scheme
Delay in PM-Kusum Yojana
The Rs 34,000 crore PM-Kusum scheme aimed at promoting solar energy in agriculture is running behind its targets.
The scheme, launched to install 100 GW of solar power on farmers' land, install 1.4 lakh solar pumps and connect 3.5 lakh grid-connected farm pumps to solar power, has seen limited progress, generating only 256 MW of electricity by June 2023. plants and 3.97 lakh solar pumps have been installed. The deadline has been extended to 2026.
Challenges of Land Availability
A major obstacle is the difficulty in acquiring suitable agricultural land for solar projects. Unlike utility-scale projects in regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan, agricultural land requires pooling of multiple parcels, making project development complex.
Innovative solutions in Rajasthan
In response, Rajasthan, in partnership with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), is using drone technology to map land parcels, helping facilitate solar installations. As a result of this approach, 12.3 MW has been installed in the state and there are plans to expand it further.
