Daily Current Affairs : 22-July-2023
In recent years, the Indian government has been focusing on improving crop production forecasting and drought assessment to enhance the agricultural sector’s resilience and ensure food security in the country. Two vital initiatives that have been put into action for this purpose are the FASAL (Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, Agro-meteorology, and Land-based observations) and NADAMS (National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System) projects. These projects are operationalized by the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), an attached office of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. Let’s explore the significance and implementation of these projects in more detail.
FASAL: Forecasting Agricultural Output
FASAL is a groundbreaking project that leverages space technology, agro-meteorology, and ground-based observations to generate crop forecasts at various levels, ranging from district to state and national. The project focuses on nine major crops, including rice, wheat, rabi pulses, rapeseed & mustard, rabi, jowar, cotton, jute, tur, and sugarcane. By accurately predicting crop production, FASAL brings several benefits to the agricultural sector and the nation as a whole.
Improved Crop Estimation Surveys: With FASAL’s advanced forecasting techniques, the accuracy of crop estimation surveys has significantly improved. This, in turn, enables better planning and resource allocation for the agricultural sector.
Disaster Management and Relief: Timely and accurate crop forecasts are invaluable in anticipating and mitigating potential agricultural disasters, such as crop failure due to adverse weather conditions. The government can proactively arrange relief measures to support affected farmers and regions.
Crop Insurance: FASAL’s precise crop forecasts also play a vital role in the implementation of crop insurance schemes. Insurance companies can utilize this information to determine fair premiums and settle claims efficiently.
Farm Level Advisories: Farmers are the backbone of the agricultural sector, and they greatly benefit from FASAL’s farm level advisories. With access to reliable forecasts, farmers can make informed decisions regarding crop choices, irrigation, and resource management, leading to increased productivity and profitability.
NADAMS: Monitoring Agricultural Drought
NADAMS is another critical initiative that provides near real-time information on agricultural drought prevalence, severity levels, and persistence at various administrative levels, ranging from states to districts and sub-districts. Given the vulnerability of certain regions to drought situations, NADAMS has been established in 17 states of India, which are predominantly agriculture-based.
Timely Drought Assessment: By monitoring drought conditions in real-time, NADAMS equips authorities with the necessary information to act swiftly and effectively during drought emergencies. This helps in minimizing the negative impact of drought on agriculture and rural livelihoods.
Data-Driven Policy Formulation: The data collected through NADAMS aids policymakers in understanding the severity of drought situations in different regions. This knowledge is crucial for devising targeted interventions and resource allocation to support drought-affected communities.
Enhanced Water Management: NADAMS enables better water management practices, including water conservation and efficient irrigation techniques, especially in regions prone to recurring droughts.
Important Points:
FASAL – Forecasting Agricultural Output:
- FASAL stands for Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, Agro-meteorology, and Land-based observations.
- It is operationalized by the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), a part of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
- FASAL generates crop forecasts for 9 major crops in India, including rice, wheat, rabi pulses, rapeseed & mustard, rabi, jowar, cotton, jute, tur, and sugarcane.
- Benefits:
- Improved accuracy in crop estimation surveys.
- Effective disaster management and relief planning.
- Supports crop insurance implementation.
- Provides farm-level advisories to farmers.
NADAMS – National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System:
- NADAMS is used for agricultural drought assessment and monitoring.
- It provides near real-time information on drought prevalence, severity levels, and persistence at different administrative levels.
- Currently covers 17 states in India that are predominantly agriculture-based and prone to drought situations.
- Benefits:
- Enables timely drought assessment and response.
- Data-driven policy formulation for targeted interventions.
- Supports better water management practices.
Significance of FASAL and NADAMS:
- These projects enhance India’s agricultural sector’s resilience and ensure food security in the country.
- They leverage space technology, agro-meteorology, and ground-based observations to provide accurate and reliable information.
- Timely and accurate crop forecasts aid in disaster management, crop insurance, and farm-level advisories.
- NADAMS data helps policymakers understand drought severity and allocate resources effectively.
- The projects contribute to improved water management and conservation in drought-prone regions.
Why In News
In addition to its efforts in Crop Production Forecasting and Drought Assessment through initiatives like FASAL and NADAMS, the government is actively collaborating with agricultural experts and employing cutting-edge technology to ensure the timely dissemination of accurate data, empowering farmers to make informed decisions and mitigate the impact of climate change on their crops.
MCQs about FASAL and NADAMS Projects
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What is the purpose of the FASAL project in India?
A. Disaster management and relief planning
B. Timely drought assessment
C. Improved water management practices
D. Crop production forecasting and estimation
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What does NADAMS provide near real-time information about?
A. Seismic activity
B. Prevalence and severity of agricultural drought
C. Rainfall patterns
D. Crop yield estimation
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Which government department is responsible for operationalizing FASAL and NADAMS projects?
A. Department of Space
B. Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
C. Ministry of Earth Sciences
D. Indian Meteorological Department
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How do farmers benefit from the FASAL project?
A. Real-time earthquake alerts
B. Improved water management techniques
C. Timely farm-level advisories
D. Access to drought-resistant crop varieties
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