APCNF Program in Andhra Pradesh Wins Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity in 2024
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The Government of Andhra Pradesh's Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) initiative has won the esteemed Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity 2024. This acknowledgment highlights the program's critical function in promoting sustainable agriculture and building global resilience to climate change.
Acknowledgment on an International Level
The announcement was made on July 11 at a ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal, when the jury's head and former German federal chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, announced the winners. International specialists were present at the occasion, along with dignitaries such as the Portuguese president and other government representatives. Dr. Rattan Lal, a renowned soil scientist from the United States, and SEKEM, an Egyptian organization that promotes biodynamic farming, split the EUR 1 million prize with the APCNF program. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation gave the prize to recognize their joint efforts in developing sustainable farming practices through research and useful applications.
The Effects of APCNF
A state-wide program called Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) was introduced in 2016 to help smallholder farmers in the region switch from conventional, chemical-intensive farming to natural farming methods. Techniques like using organic residues, minimizing tillage, reintroducing native seeds, and diversifying crops to incorporate trees are all part of this shift. The program, which is run by the Farmers Empowerment Corporation, or Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS), has registered over a million farmers on 500,000 hectares in Andhra Pradesh, making it the largest agroecology program in the world in terms of participation.
Overall Advantages
In addition to improving soil health, the APCNF program lowers carbon emissions, conserves biodiversity, and lessens deterioration of the land and water. Participating farmers gain instant access to lower expenses, more consistent harvests, higher revenues, and better health outcomes; this supports smallholders' economic sustainability and, in particular, the empowerment of women farmers.
Food Security Across the Globe and Climate Resilience
Initiatives like APCNF show a scalable strategy for sustainable agriculture in the face of growing climate problems endangering global food security and ecosystem stability. The program, which emphasizes ecosystem protection and climate resilience, is a ray of hope, demonstrating how small actions may have a worldwide impact on interconnected environmental concerns.
Conclusion:
The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity 2024 emphasizes how important cooperative, cutting-edge farming methods are to ensuring a sustainable future. The honoring of APCNF and the other distinguished recipients highlights the significance of fusing traditional knowledge with cutting-edge agricultural research to produce significant global solutions. As APCNF's influence and reach grow, it creates a model for sustainable development initiatives around the world, encouraging other areas to embrace comparable all-encompassing strategies for environmental stewardship and agriculture.
NITI Aayog Releases SDG India Index 2023-24
Significant progress has been made by India in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at both the national and subnational levels, as evidenced by the recently released SDG India Index 2023–24. India's aggregate score increased to 71 from earlier evaluations. The study highlights noteworthy accomplishments in important areas like economic growth, biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction, and climate action.
Advancement Throughout States:
Based on their SDG ratings, the report divides states and Union Territories into Front Runner and New Entrant categories:
Leading States: 32 states and the District of Columbia had ratings between 65 and 99, indicating impressive advancements. There were noticeable advances in states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
New Entrants: States with significant score improvements, showing accelerated efforts towards achieving SDGs, such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, and others, moved into the Front Runner group.
Results by Objectives
The SDG India Index 2023–24 identifies particular objective accomplishments:
A higher score of 67 for Goal 13 (Climate Action) indicates a greater adoption of renewable energy sources and improved preparedness for disasters.
Goal 1 (No Poverty): Increased from 60 to 72 due to the successful execution of social welfare programs like Ayushman Bharat and PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana).
Important Interventions
India has advanced significantly as a result of several marquee initiatives, including:
The housing, sanitation, and clean energy targets have benefited greatly from the implementation of the PM Awas and Ujjwala Yojanas.
The well-being of society and economic prosperity have been supported by increased financial inclusion and the creation of digital infrastructure.
Institutional Framework NITI Aayog has helped promote competitive federalism and localize SDGs through its proactive involvement. This strategy creates an environment that is favorable for accomplishing the SDGs by incorporating sustainable development into national and subnational policy.
Observing Up Front
To assess progress and direct policy decisions toward fulfilling the 2030 Agenda, the SDG India Index is an essential instrument. The emphasis is still on environmental sustainability and inclusive growth, making sure that the benefits of development are fair and long-lasting for all societal groups.
Collaboration between governmental bodies, corporations, civic society, and the general public is essential as India moves forward to achieve the SDGs. The SDG framework offers a solid foundation for worldwide.
Jharkhand intends to build the first physically challenged university in eastern India in Ranchi.
The Jharkhand government is aggressively pursuing the founding of eastern India's first university specifically for physically challenged students in Ranchi, which would be a huge step towards inclusive education. This large-scale project is to provide specialized academic programs and the required assistance to specifically address the educational needs of students with impairments.
The University's Vision
Jharkhand's Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Champai Soren, revealed the plan for this innovative university. Soren, a former state chief minister, underlined the significance of establishing an inclusive and open learning environment.
He gave the go-ahead for authorities to begin working on a thorough proposal that would define the structure and procedures of the university.
Personalized Instruction and Assistance
Minister Soren emphasized the necessity of adapted curricula and educational facilities created to satisfy the particular needs of students with disabilities during a recent meeting with government authorities. He outlined the university's objectives to supply resources and equipment for adaptive learning that meet the wide range of needs of its student body.
The Navothan Scholarship Program
The 'Navothan Scholarship Scheme' was also suggested by the Department of Higher and Technical Education in addition to the university initiative. The government plans to fully repay Jharkhand's highly brilliant orphaned and physically challenged kids' course fees under this scheme, up to a maximum of Rs 10 lakh annually. A stipend of Rs 48,000 will also be given to these students each year to help with living and food costs.
Plans for Growth
The expansion of Jharkhand's educational infrastructure was another topic of discussion during the summit. In-depth discussions were held regarding plans to build new universities in Giridih, Sahebganj, Deoghar, Khunti, Gumla, and Jamshedpur. These proposals demonstrate the government's dedication to expanding access to higher education across the state.
Dedication to Inclusive Growth
The plan to construct the first physically challenged students' university in eastern India in Ranchi highlights Jharkhand's dedication to inclusive development and fair educational opportunities. The administration of Chief Minister Hemant Soren is still giving top priority to programs that advance access to high-quality education for all members of society. Jharkhand reiterates its commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where all students, regardless of physical ability, can succeed academically and make a significant contribution to society as it gets ready to launch this ground-breaking educational initiative.
The founding of this specialized institution not only represents a turning point in the accessibility of education but also establishes a standard for other areas to prioritize inclusive education in their development plans. Jharkhand hopes to establish a model institution that would inspire future generations to value equality, diversity, and educational empowerment with the help of community members and stakeholders.
