CURRENT AFFAIRS - 13/04/2024

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CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13/04/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 13/04/2024

IISc researchers design novel hydrogelto remove microplastics from water

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

Microplastics, tiny plastic debris, present a significant threat to human health and the environment.

They can enter our bodies through drinking water, increasing the risk of illnesses.
Microplastics are pervasive, found even in remote areas like polar ice caps and deep ocean trenches, endangering aquatic and terrestrial lifeforms.

Key Highlights

The Sustainable Hydrogel
- Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a sustainable hydrogel to combat microplastic pollution.
- Led by Professor Suryasarathi Bose from the Department of Materials Engineering, the team designed a unique hydrogel comprising three layers of polymers: chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyaniline.
- This three-layer polymer architecture forms an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN).
- Role of Nanoclusters in Degradation
  - The hydrogel matrix is infused with nanoclusters of a material known as copper substitute polyoxometalate (Cu-POM).
  - These nanoclusters serve as catalysts, enabling the hydrogel to degrade microplastics using UV light irradiation.
  - This combination of polymers and nanoclusters results in a robust hydrogel capable of adsorbing and degrading substantial amounts of microplastics.
- Addressing Detection Challenges
  - Detecting microplastics presents a significant challenge due to their minute size.
  - To address this, the researchers incorporated a fluorescent dye into the microplastics, allowing them to track the adsorption and degradation process.
  - This enables monitoring of microplastic removal under different conditions such as pH levels, temperatures, and microplastic concentrations.
- Efficiency and Durability of the Hydrogel
  - The hydrogel demonstrates high efficiency, removing approximately 95% and 93% of two different types of microplastics in near-neutral pH conditions (∼5).
  - Additionally, the material’s durability was tested under various temperatures, confirming its stability.
  - The combination of the three polymers contributes to its strength and resilience.

What are Microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that measure less than 5 millimeters in size.
They can be either intentionally manufactured at a small scale, known as primary microplastics, or they can result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, termed secondary microplastics.
- Primary Microplastics:
  - These are purposefully produced small plastic particles used in various products such as cosmetics, personal care items, and industrial abrasives.
  - Examples include microbeads in exfoliating scrubs, microfibers from synthetic clothing, and pellets used in manufacturing processes.
- Secondary Microplastics:
  - These are the result of the degradation and fragmentation of larger plastic items like bottles, bags, and packaging materials due to environmental factors such as sunlight, wind, and wave action.
  - These larger plastic items break down into smaller pieces over time, eventually becoming microplastics.

What is a hydrogel?

A hydrogel is a three-dimensional network of hydrophilic (water-loving) polymer chains that are capable of absorbing and retaining large amounts of water.
These materials are known for their ability to swell in water while maintaining their structural integrity.
Hydrogels can be synthesized from natural or synthetic polymers, and they are used in a wide range of applications due to their unique properties.
Applications of Hydrogels:
- Biomedical Engineering: Hydrogels are widely used in biomedical applications, including drug delivery systems, wound dressings, tissue scaffolds for regenerative medicine, and contact lenses.
- Personal Care Products: Hydrogels are used in various personal care products such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, and skincare formulations due to their absorbent properties.
- Agriculture: Hydrogels can be incorporated into agricultural soils to improve water retention and nutrient uptake by plants, leading to enhanced crop growth and productivity.
- Environmental Remediation: Hydrogels are used in environmental applications for the removal of pollutants from water and soil, as well as for the controlled release of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture.
- Electronics and Sensors: Hydrogels are utilized in electronic devices and sensors for their ability to conduct ions and respond to mechanical and chemical stimuli, enabling applications such as biosensors and actuators.

Data for better education, a brighter future for students

(General Studies- Paper II0

Source : The Hindu

The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023, released in mid-January, has drawn significant attention as customary.

One of the focal points of the ASER 2023 report is the examination of foundational skills among 14-18 year olds.
This age group’s learning outcomes have garnered particular attention due to their implications for education and overall outcomes for India’s adolescents and youth.

Key Highlights

Scope of the Beyond Basics Survey
- The ASER 2023 Beyond Basics survey was conducted in 28 rural districts across 26 states of India.
- While the sample is not nationally representative, it offers insights into district-level trends regarding the activities, abilities, including digital abilities, and aspirations of 14-18 year olds.
Concerning Findings on Reading Abilities
- The report reveals that 26% of 14-18 year olds surveyed cannot read a standard two-level text in their regional language.
- Also, basic calculations using ASER data suggest that 57% of the 14-18 year olds surveyed who do not possess basic reading skills are enrolled in standard 10 or below, while another 28% of these children are not enrolled in school, college or a vocational institution.
- This finding underscores significant challenges in foundational literacy skills among adolescents.
- Understanding Foundational Learning Trajectories
  - The ASER report notes that learning outcomes tend to plateau and even decline in the upper grades if foundational skills are not acquired during primary education.
  - So, the survey points out that children who lack foundational skills in primary grades are unlikely to acquire them in later grades without targeted interventions.
- Attendance Challenges in Secondary Grades
  - The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) 75th round in 2017-18 highlighted concerning attendance rates in rural India’s secondary grades (standards nine and 10), which were recorded as low as 60%.
  - This data suggests that even among 14-18 year olds who are unable to read fluently, a significant portion enrolled in school may not be attending regularly.
  - Need for Comprehensive Approaches
    - Merely focusing on school-based reading improvement programs may not yield transformative results if the underlying issue of low attendance remains unaddressed.
    - Encouraging and empowering children to return to school and develop reading habits is crucial for sustainable progress in literacy.
  - Insights from ASER 2022
    - Among those who struggle to read standard two level text fluently, nearly half demonstrate the ability to read a standard one level text, indicating potential for improvement with proper guidance and support.
    - Challenges Beyond Decoding Skills
      - Many children face challenges beyond simply recognizing letters or decoding words.
      - They require guidance, practice, encouragement, and motivation to cultivate reading habits.
      - However, negative experiences such as ridicule and embarrassment may deter them from embracing reading, leading to a dislike or aversion towards it.
    - Role of Reading Materials and Books
      - The availability of reading materials and books is crucial for nurturing reading habits and abilities.
      - ASER 2022 and the State of Elementary Education in Rural India Report highlight that only a small fraction of rural households possess reading materials beyond school textbooks.
    - Importance of Community Libraries
      - Community libraries have the potential to create enriching environments that promote reading, creativity, and critical thinking.
      - However, the establishment of libraries alone is not sufficient.
      - Effective management led by committed individuals is essential to foster an interest in reading and attract individuals of all ages and abilities to these spaces.
      - Creating Supportive Environments
        
        To truly impact literacy outcomes, efforts must extend beyond school-based interventions to encompass initiatives that nurture reading culture in homes and communities.
        
        This includes creating supportive environments that guide, support, and motivate readers of all ages and backgrounds.
      - Youth Aspirations and Career Perspectives
        
        ASER 2023 sheds light on the aspirations and perspectives of 14-18 year olds regarding their future careers.
        
        The survey includes quantitative inquiries into educational and work aspirations, as well as role models, alongside focus group discussions in three districts to delve deeper into children’s thoughts.
        
        Over 60% of surveyed children express a desire to obtain at least a college education, with a higher percentage of girls aspiring for college compared to boys.
        
        Work aspirations vary, with joining the police or defense forces being prominent among boys, while becoming a teacher or doctor is popular among girls.
        
        ASER highlights that a significant portion of surveyed youth with work aspirations lack familiarity with professionals in their desired fields, emphasizing the need for guidance and exposure to relevant role models.
        
        Perceptions of Vocational Education
        
        Focus group discussions conducted in three districts reveal varying perceptions of vocational education among 14-18 year olds.
        
        While Sitapur and Dhamtari exhibit negative attitudes towards vocational education, associating it with job insecurity, Solan offers a positive perspective.
        
        Context-driven vocational courses introduced early in schools, such as tourism and hotel management, garner aspirational value and encourage students to pursue related professions through on-the-job training and career-oriented certifications.
        
        Leveraging Technology for Learning
        
        The increasing accessibility of smartphones among youth, highlighted by ASER 2023 and the State of Elementary Education in Rural India Report, presents an opportunity to leverage technology for educational purposes.
        
        While smartphones are primarily used for entertainment and social media, they can be utilized to equip youth with foundational knowledge in their desired professions and connect them with relevant professionals through online courses and modules.
        
        This requires collaborative efforts among educational technology agencies, industries, and professional groups, with schools and colleges playing a pivotal role in guiding students towards suitable platforms and avenues for skill development.

More about the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER)

The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 is a comprehensive citizen-led household survey that focuses on the educational landscape and learning outcomes of children in rural India.
The survey targeted youth aged 14-18 years in rural areas, covering 28 districts across 26 states and reaching a total of 34,745 individuals.
ASER 2023, titled “Beyond Basics,” delves into various aspects of children’s schooling and learning, including their proficiency in reading and math, access to digital devices, and corresponding skill levels.
Key highlights of the ASER 2023 report include:
- Examination of the activities and learning levels of 14-18 year-olds in rural India.
- Detailed insights into reading and math proficiency among youth.
- Assessment of digital device access and skill levels.
- In-depth analysis of the educational needs and challenges faced by India’s young population.
The report is a biennial report published by Pratham, a non-profit organization in India.
- The survey initially focused on children in the age group of 3-16, assessing their enrollment status and basic skills.
- However, in 2017, the survey evolved to include youth in the 14 to 18 age group.

Job number one

(General Studies- Paper II0

Source : The Indian Express

Meta’s decision to establish its first data center in India, located on the Reliance Industries’ Chennai campus, is a significant development.

However, the number of jobs created—approximately 30—falls way short of addressing India’s pressing need for job creation, with McKinsey estimating a requirement of 90 million new non-farm jobs by 2030.

Key Highlights

Challenges in India’s Job Market
- Despite the Indian economy’s promising growth trajectory, characterized by factors like rapid digital adoption, a burgeoning young population, and the attraction of major investments like Tesla’s upcoming factory, there are critical challenges in the job market.
- Currently, only 46.6% of the working-age population is employed, significantly lower than rates in other emerging markets.
India’s Bet on Services
- India has largely focused on service-oriented industries for economic growth, transitioning from call centers in the 1990s to outsourced IT and back-office services in the early 2000s.
- Today, the country boasts a diverse range of technology-enabled service offerings, employing millions of people.
- However, this emphasis on services diverges from the traditional Asian model of development, which prioritizes manufacturing and export-oriented industries.
- Skills Deficit and Job Absorption
  - While high-end services offer potential for skilled employment, India faces a massive skills deficit, with only half of young Indians currently employable.
  - This reality necessitates a reliance on low-skilled services, such as construction, street vending, and household chores, to absorb labor.
  - Despite efforts to promote higher-end services, the predominance of low-skilled jobs underscores the challenges in India’s job market and the need for targeted skill development initiatives.
- Challenges in the IT Sector and Low-Skilled Services
  - The IT sector, long hailed as the jewel in India’s services crown, has experienced its first contraction in 25 years.
  - Automation and artificial intelligence advancements are rendering many IT jobs redundant, leading to cutbacks and slow hiring.
  - Simultaneously, earnings in low-skilled services remain meager, prompting a significant portion of the workforce to prefer staying in villages even after the Covid lockdown.
  - This trend is reflected in the substantial increase of sixty million people in agriculture compared to four years ago, signaling a departure from the conventional narrative of transitioning from farms to factories.
- Reassessment of Development Strategy
  - India’s shift towards a service-oriented economy has marginalized manufacturing, which now contributes only 13% to GDP.
  - This departure from traditional development models underscores the need for a reevaluation of economic strategies.
  - Call for Diversified Job Creation Strategies
    - Given the grim employment scenario, the incoming government must prioritize job creation as its foremost agenda.
    - It is imperative to diversify job creation efforts across multiple sectors to accommodate the vast number of individuals seeking employment opportunities.
    - This necessitates policy support, co-investment, particularly in education, skill-building, and job-preparedness initiatives, as well as tax and regulatory incentives for employers.
    - Adopting a multifaceted approach to job creation is essential to address the pressing employment challenges facing India.
  - Promising Vectors for Job Creation
    - Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in High-End Services
      - Global Capability Centers (GCCs), offshore units of multinational corporations (MNCs), offer a promising avenue for job creation in high-end services.
      - These centers provide a range of services such as finance, legal, HR, and innovation clusters in cyber, analytics, and AI.
      - With over 1,500 GCCs already employing 1.6 million people, this sector is expected to expand significantly, potentially reaching 4.5 million jobs by 2030.
      - Services exported from GCCs could become one of India’s largest exports, driving demand for services across skill tiers.
    - Potential in India’s Tech Startups
      - India’s tech startups represent another opportunity for job creation if they can scale up effectively.
      - Despite recent setbacks, including market corrections and regulatory challenges, sectors like AI, SaaS, defense, and greentech offer solid prospects for growth.
      - However, founders must learn from past mistakes, avoid overvaluation, and navigate regulatory landscapes prudently.
      - As startups grow, they will generate employment, highlighting the importance of building a skilled talent pool.
    - Green Transition and Renewable Energy
      - India’s commitment to a green transition presents significant opportunities for job creation.
      - As the world’s third-largest energy-consuming nation, India aims to install 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, leading to the creation of 5 million green economy jobs annually.
      - Embracing renewable energy and green technologies can drive sustainable job growth while reducing emissions.
    - Revitalizing Manufacturing for Job Creation
      - Despite the focus on services, manufacturing remains critical for job creation in India.
      - While large-scale manufacturing projects like iPhones and Teslas grab headlines, enabling small and medium-sized manufacturers is essential.
      - These enterprises are less automation-intensive and provide reliable employment opportunities.
      - Leveraging India’s digital public infrastructure can facilitate access to credit, resources, logistics, and customers for small and medium-sized manufacturers, fostering job creation and economic growth.

Problem with coal

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Indian Express

Coal power plants remain a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for one-fifth of total emissions, making it the largest single source.

Addressing the use of coal is a contentious issue in global climate change negotiations, as it is central to efforts to mitigate climate change.

Key Highlights

Rising Coal Power Plants in China and India
- The latest report from the Global Energy Monitoring indicates an increase in the number of thermal power plants in China and India, with China alone responsible for two-thirds of the world’s newly operating coal plants last year.
- Despite promises to curb fossil fuel use, China accelerated its coal power capacity growth at a rate not seen in nearly a decade.
- Additionally, the rate of decommissioning coal power plants in the US has slowed, contributing to a 2% increase in global coal-fired power capacity, the highest annual rise since 2016.
- Challenges in Meeting Climate Targets
  - Meeting the Paris Climate Pact’s target of limiting global temperature rise to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius requires significant reductions in coal power capacity.
  - However, current trends fall short of this goal, with only a fraction of the required capacity being retired annually.
  - China and the US, two major coal users, have committed to retiring coal plants, but actual decommissioning rates have been lower than targets.
- Transition to Green Energy
  - Emerging and developing economies face the challenge of balancing poverty alleviation with transitioning to green energy.
  - While countries like India have made progress in renewable energy installation, growth in green energy has not kept pace with electricity demand.
  - The coal sector remains a significant employer in many of these countries, complicating efforts to phase out coal.
- Carbon Capture Technology and Financing
  - Carbon capture technology has been proposed as a solution to mitigate coal’s environmental impact by capturing emissions before release.
  - However, its implementation is costly, requiring collaboration between developmental finance institutions and key stakeholders to address social and environmental concerns.
  - The role of these institutions in climate change mitigation has not been adequately addressed in UNFCCC processes.

About Power Generation in India

Coal power plants in India contribute significantly to the country’s energy production, accounting for approximately 49.1% of the total installed capacity as of May 2023.
- India’s power generation is predominantly achieved through coal-based thermal power plants, which produce around 75% of the total power generated in the country.
- This is because coal is the only viable option for the country to meet its growing power demand, as renewable energy sources are not yet reliable or sufficient to meet the country’s energy needs.
India’s total installed capacity for power generation is 425,535.52 MW, with coal contributing 205,235 MW, lignite contributing 6,620 MW, and gas contributing 24,824 MW.
The country’s power generation capacity is divided among the central sector, state sector, and private sector, with the central sector having 1,00,055 MW, the state sector having 1,05,726 MW, and the private sector having 2,11,887 MW.
In 2023, India’s power output grew at the fastest pace in 33 years, thanks to a 12.4% surge in electricity production from plants running on fossil fuels, with output from coal-based power plants rising by 11.2%.
This growth was driven by the country’s increasing power demand, which is surging due to higher economic activity, industrial and commercial activity, and the expansion of household air conditioning usage.

Understanding total installed capacity vs total power generated

The total installed capacity and total power generated in a country are distinct concepts within the power sector.
The total installed capacity refers to the maximum amount of power that power plants can produce under ideal conditions.
It represents the cumulative capacity of all power generation facilities in the country, including coal, nuclear, hydro, renewable, and other sources.
On the other hand, total power generated refers to the actual electricity produced by these power plants over a specific period, usually measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or megawatt-hours (MWh).

Scaling up the TB care

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Indian Express

The private sector plays a significant role in healthcare delivery in India, with the government’s Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY initiative recognizing its extensive reach.

While the initiative focuses on secondary and tertiary care, primary healthcare capabilities have been boosted through wellness centers or AyushmanAarogyaMandirs.
However, over 80% of initial primary care continues to be provided by the private health sector.

Key Highlights

Challenges in Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination
- India faces challenges in eliminating diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), with a significant number of cases being notified by the private healthcare sector.
- In 2023, a record 25.5 lakh TB patients were notified, with over 8.4 lakh patients notified by the private sector, marking a substantial increase from previous years.
Public-Private Collaborations in TB Elimination
- India’s TB elimination program has pioneered public-private collaborations, with initiatives like the Public Private Interface Agency (PPIA) serving as an intermediary between the national TB program and private healthcare providers.
- The recent iteration of this model, the Patient Provider Support Agency (PPSA), has been scaled up across over 200 districts, creating a network of private health sector providers to ensure adherence to TB care standards and facilitate free diagnostic services and treatment.
- Enhancing the Model
  - To further sharpen this model, leveraging informal healthcare providers can be instrumental.
  - Rural medical practitioners and village doctors have a strong trust compact with the community and could serve as valuable resources in TB detection and treatment.
  - Studies have shown significant consultations with informal providers by TB patients, highlighting their potential role in the TB elimination program.
- Engaging Retail Pharmacists
  - Retail chemists serve as the first point of contact for many patients, with approximately six lakh retail private pharmacists across India.
  - To address the challenge of TB treatment coverage, informal healthcare providers and pharmacists can be leveraged due to their proximity to the community.
  - They can be engaged in screening patients for TB symptoms and referring them to public hospitals for diagnosis and treatment.
  - Additionally, these providers can support efforts to ensure patient compliance with treatment, reducing the risk of drug-resistant TB.
- Enhancing Regulatory Compliance
  - While engaging informal healthcare providers and pharmacists, it is crucial for the government to enforce existing regulatory norms, particularly regarding over-the-counter drug sales, record-keeping, and notification of diagnosed patients to the authorities.
  - Compliance with these norms is essential for ensuring patient safety and effective TB control measures.
- Partnerships for Public Health
  - With appropriate incentives and administrative support, informal healthcare providers and pharmacists can become valuable partners in India’s public health missions, significantly enhancing the country’s capacity to deliver quality primary care.
  - By harnessing the potential of these providers, India can strengthen its TB elimination efforts and improve healthcare access for all segments of the population.

About Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body.
- It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs of people with the active respiratory disease.
India has the highest burden of TB, with two deaths occurring every three minutes from tuberculosis.
However, with proper care and treatment, TB patients can be cured, and the battle against TB can be won.
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global TB Report 2023, India accounted for 27% of the total TB cases globally in 2022, representing a staggering 2.8 million (28.2 lakh) cases.
- The case fatality ratio for TB in India is 12%.
- The report also highlights that multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis, with 1.1 lakh cases recorded in India in 2022.
- Despite the high burden of TB in India, there has been a reduction in TB mortality, with the number of deaths decreasing from 4.94 lakhs in 2021 to 3.31 lakhs in 2022.
- This reduction led to a decrease in India’s contribution to global mortality, from 36% in previous years to 26% in 2022.
India’s reporting of TB cases has improved, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with the country being one of only four countries among the 30 high-burden countries to achieve more than 80% treatment coverage.
- The government has undertaken several initiatives towards TB elimination, including active case finding, scaling up of more accurate molecular testing, and engagement of the private sector.
- However, there is still a gap between the estimated number of cases and the number of people diagnosed and put on treatment.
India has set a target of 2025 for eliminating TB in the country, with a goal of no more than 44 new cases per lakh population.
- The program also aims to reduce TB mortality to 3 deaths per lakh population by 2025.

What is CDP-SURAKSHA?

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Indian Express

The union government has introduced a new platform called CDP-SURAKSHA to facilitate the disbursement of subsidies to horticulture farmers as part of the Cluster Development Programme (CDP).

This initiative aims to promote horticulture crops and boost the growth of India’s horticulture sector.

Key Highlights

Significance of the Horticulture Sector
- India’s horticulture sector plays a crucial role in the economy, contributing nearly one-third to the agriculture GVA.
- Over the years, there has been a notable increase in the production of horticulture crops, with the total production rising from 240.53 million tonnes in 2010-11 to 334.60 million tonnes in 2020-21.
Overview of CDP-SURAKSHA Platform
- The CDP-SURAKSHA platform is designed as a digital solution to streamline subsidy disbursal processes for horticulture farmers.
- The acronym SURAKSHA stands for “System for Unified Resource Allocation, Knowledge, and Secure Horticulture Assistance.”
- It facilitates the instant transfer of subsidies to farmers’ bank accounts using the e-RUPI voucher provided by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- Key Features of CDP-SURAKSHA
  - The platform incorporates several essential features to ensure efficient subsidy disbursal and management.
  - These features include database integration with PM-KISAN, cloud-based server space from NIC, UIDAI validation, e-RUPI integration, local government directory (LGD), content management system, geotagging, and geo-fencing.
- Functionality of CDP-SURAKSHA
  - The CDP-SURAKSHA platform facilitates a streamlined process for horticulture farmers to access subsidies and procure planting material efficiently.
  - It offers accessibility to various stakeholders, including farmers, vendors, implementing agencies (IA), cluster development agencies (CDAs), and officials of the National Horticulture Board (NHB).
- Order Placement and Subsidy Allocation
  - Farmers can log in to the platform using their mobile number and place orders for planting material such as seeds, seedlings, and plants based on their requirements.
  - Upon raising the demand, farmers are prompted to contribute their share of the cost of the planting material.
  - The government’s subsidy amount is automatically displayed on the screen.
- Generation and Redemption of e-RUPI Vouchers
  - Once the farmer makes their contribution, an e-RUPI voucher is generated.
  - This voucher serves as a one-time payment mechanism and is received by the vendor supplying the planting material.
  - The vendor then provides the required items to the farmer.
- Verification and Subsidy Release
  - Upon delivery, farmers verify the receipt of the planting material through geo-tagged photos and videos of their fields.
  - After verification, the IA releases the payment to the vendor for the e-RUPI voucher.
  - The vendor uploads an invoice of the payment on the portal.
  - The IA then collects all documents and shares them with the CDA for subsidy release.
- It’s worth noting that farmers who initiate the demand for planting material through the platform can only avail of the subsidy at the initial stage of the process.
Introduction to e-RUPI
- The CDP-SURAKSHA platform utilizes e-RUPI vouchers provided by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- These vouchers serve as a secure and convenient one-time payment mechanism that can be redeemed without requiring a card, digital payments app, or internet banking access.
- e-RUPI vouchers can be shared with beneficiaries for specific purposes or activities via SMS or QR code.
- Implications and Benefits
  - By integrating e-RUPI vouchers and digital verification processes, CDP-SURAKSHA aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in subsidy disbursal for horticulture farmers.
  - This streamlined approach is poised to simplify transactions and improve the overall effectiveness of subsidy programs in the agriculture sector.
- Comparison with the Old System
  - In the previous system, farmers were required to purchase planting materials independently and then seek subsidy release from officials.
  - However, the CDP-SURAKSHA platform offers a notable departure by providing subsidies upfront to farmers at the time of purchasing planting material.
  - Vendors supplying the materials will only receive payment after farmers verify the delivery of their orders, ensuring transparency and accountability in subsidy disbursement.
- Farmers and Banks Onboard
  - Although the platform is yet to be officially launched nationwide, approximately 8,400 farmers’ details have already been uploaded onto the CDP-SURAKSHA platform.
  - This includes 8,000 farmers associated with Sahyadri Farms Private Ltd, implementing the grape cluster in Nasik, Maharashtra, and 400 farmers from Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), implementing the turmeric cluster in Meghalaya.
  - Additionally, four prominent banks, namely HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), and Bank of Baroda, have been enlisted to facilitate e-RUPI voucher generation for fund disbursement.
- Introduction to the Cluster Development Program (CDP)
  - The Cluster Development Program (CDP) is an integral component of the central sector scheme of the National Horticulture Board (NHB).
  - It aims to capitalize on the geographical specialization of horticulture clusters, promoting integrated and market-led development across various stages, including pre-production, production, post-harvest, logistics, branding, and marketing activities.
- Scope and Objectives of the CDP
  - Currently, 55 horticulture clusters have been identified, with 12 selected for the pilot phase.
  - These clusters are at different stages of development and involve the participation of implementing agencies and cluster development agencies (CDAs).
  - The initiative is anticipated to cover approximately 9 lakh hectares of land, benefiting around 10 lakh farmers.
  - Private investment is expected to reach Rs 8,250 crore, supplementing government assistance based on the cluster’s size, with allocations ranging from Rs 25 crore for mini clusters to Rs 100 crore for mega clusters.

About the horticulture sector in India

The horticulture sector in India has been recognized for its potential to raise farm income, provide livelihood security, and earn foreign exchange.
The sector has witnessed significant growth over the years, with the total horticulture production reaching 334.60 million tonnes in 2020-21 from an area of 27.74 million hectares.
- This represents a 2.1% annual growth in area and a 3.9% increase in production over the last decade.
India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally, accounting for 13% and 21% of global production, respectively.
- The country produces a wide range of horticultural crops, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantation crops, beverages, and medicinal and aromatic plants.
The growth of the horticulture sector in India has been driven by factors such as increased domestic demand for high-value food commodities, export markets, and policy interventions promoting the sector.
The horticulture sector accounts for about 37% of the total exports of agricultural commodities, with exports recording a sustained rising trend.
However, there are challenges that need to be addressed to further enhance the growth of the horticulture sector.
- These include improving productivity through research and development, enhancing the share of value-added products, geographical diversification of exports, and enhancing infrastructure, including cold storage and rural roads.
- The public sector research needs to be strengthened, considering the constraints of smallholder farmers who constitute the majority of producers in the sector.

About the National Horticulture Board (NHB)

The National Horticulture Board (NHB) of India is an organization under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, established in 1984 as an autonomous society under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
The NHB aims to encourage horticulture, aid farmers, and enhance crop productivity and profitability in India.
It plays a crucial role in advancing horticultural development, covering aspects such as production, post-harvest management, and marketing.
Initiatives:
- The NHB has undertaken initiatives like the Horticulture Area Production Information System (HAPIS) and the Coordinated Programme on Horticulture Assessment and Management using geo informatics (CHAMAN) to enhance horticultural development.