Agri Info

Why this day is significant?

• As per lancet study, in some three decades, about 200 million deaths were caused by smoking tobacco use while the annual economic costs because of smoking tobacco use is more than US $1 trillion.

• Further, one in six non-communicable disease-related deaths is due to smoking tobacco.

• Lancet has identified Tobacco control as a crucial and necessary” part to reach WHO’s global goals of 25 percent reduction in ”premature mortality” from non-communicable diseases by 2025 to comply with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Thus, this day becomes important to raise awareness among people of harmful effects of smoking Tobacco.

The United Nations decided to celebrate World Bee Day on May 20 as it marks the birth anniversary of Anton Jansa, the pioneer of beekeeping. He came from a family of beekeepers in solvenia. The idea of celebration marking this day was proposed in 2016 by the Republic of Solvenia.

The United Nations approved Solvenia's Proposal to proclaim May 20 as World Bee day in 2017. First Observed in 2018.

The theme for World Bee Day 2021 is "Bee Engaged: Build Back Better for Bees". By this theme, the United Nations proclaimed day focuses on threats faced by bees and other pollinators due to COVID-19

Agri Tourism Development Corporation in india

• It was established in 2005.It mainly implements the Agri Tourism Project. The project is implemented in a village near Pune in about 28 acres.

What is Agri-Tourism?

In Agri-Tourism the urban tourists stay in farmers home. During their stay they engage in farming activities, tractor ride, bullock cart ride. Also, they enjoy folk songs and dances. They buy fresh farm produce.

In return, the farmers greet the tourists, provide accommodation and entertain them during their stay. This acts as an additional income for the farmers. Also, it employs the local youths as tourist guides. This way the programme provides employment opportunities as well.

About the conference

This year, National and international stakeholders from South Africa, Scotland and Philippines are to participate in the conference. They are to discuss on agri-tourism, sustainable opportunities for women, etc.

Background

• Maharashtra is the pioneer state to develop and promote agri-tourism in the country.

• In September 2020, Maharashtra passed Agro-Tourism policy. This aims to provide the tourists the pleasure of farming and also help increase farmer income.

 The Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (MCCIA) has launched India’s first agro-export facilitation centre in Pune, in collaboration with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). 

The Center would guide the prospective exporters on various relevant aspects of the ‘farm-to-fork chain of agro-exports through its experts.

The new facilitation centre aims to enhance the agricultural and food exports of Maharashtra by disseminating need-based information, providing timely guidance and organising training courses for all stakeholders.

The centre will work as a one-stop-centre for the exporters in the agricultural sector as well as boost agricultural exports from the region, as per global standards. It will cater to the needs of farmers, Farmer Producing Organisations (FPOs), MSMEs in agri-food processing, existing exporters, and new entrants by hand-holding them through the various stages involved in exporting products.

It will support capacity building by providing expert guidance on a range of topics like Orchard Management, Minimum Residue Level (MRL), Branding and Marketing, Packhouse and Special Export Treatments, Country-wise Protocols and Quality Parameters, Special Certifications required by specific countries, Government Export Schemes etc

Dr. Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted is the 2021 World Food Prize Laureate for her influential work on nutrition, fish, and aquatic food systems. 

Dr. Thilsted is the first woman of Asian heritage to be awarded the World Food Prize. She was the first to examine the nutritional composition of small native fish species commonly found and consumed in Bangladesh and Cambodia.

List of Indian world Food Prize Winners :

2020: Dr. Rattan Lal - INDIA AND THE UNITED STATES

• Dr. Rattan Lal, native of India and a citizen of the United States, will receive the 2020 World Food Prize for developing and mainstreaming a soil-centric approach to increasing food production that restores and conserves natural resources and mitigates climate change.

2005: Dr. Modadugu Gupta - INDIA

•  As a prime architect of a “blue revolution” in Asia and around the globe, Dr. Modadugu V. Gupta has increased the protein and mineral content in the diets of over one million of the world’s most impoverished families. His promotion of aquaculture has contributed to the economic and social empowerment of men and women in poor and rural areas.

2000: Dr. Surinder Vasal & Dr. Evangelina Villegas  INDIA, MEXICO

• The Millenium World Food Prize was jointly awarded in 2000 to Dr. Surinder Vasal and Dr. Evangelina Villegas, two scientists whose decades of research and leadership in improving the productivity and nutritional content of maize have improved the diets of millions of the world's most underfed and poorly nourished citizens. 

1998:B.R. Barwale - INDIA

• The 1998 recipient of the World Food Prize, Badrinarayan Ramulal Barwale, has transformed the face of Indian agriculture during the past fifty years. Since the earliest days of Indian independence, this private farmer and entrepreneur has led the way in privatizing the development and distribution of high-yielding varieties and hybrid seeds. In the process, he has helped his countrymen achieve that which is fundamental to freedom — food security

1996:Henry M. Beachell and Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush -UNITED STATES, INDIA

• The 1996 World Food Prize was awarde to Dr. Henry M Beachell and Dr. Gurdev Singh Kush for their advances in rice breeding, which contributed to ensuring that growing populations in Asia and around the world would be supported by sufficient food supplies.

1989: Dr. Verghese Kurian INDIA

• Verghese Kurien, the "Father of the White Revolution," transformed India's dairy industry, making India the largest milk producing country in the world. His "Operation Flood" organized 86,000 farmer-owned cooperatives to produce, process, and market milk for India's rural and urban areas, providing nearly 250 million people with enhanced nutrition through dairy products. Kurien's career was dedicated to streamlining effective management and distribution strategies with the skills and knowledge of rural and small-scale producers.

1987: M.S. Swaminathan INDIA

• M.S. Swaminathan was named the first World Food Prize Laureate for developing and spearheading the introduction of high-yielding wheat and rice varieties into India during the 1960s when that country faced the prospect of widespread famine. Wheat production doubled in just a few years, making the country self-sufficient and saving millions from extreme food deprivation.

World Tuna Day is observed globally on 2nd May every year. This day is established by the United Nations (UN) to raise awareness about the importance of tuna fish. It is observed for the first time in 2017. According to the UN, an outsized number of nations worldwide depend upon tuna for both food security and nutrition. At the same time, more than 96 countries have tuna fisheries, and their capacity is constantly growing.

History of World Tuna Day:The World Tuna Day was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting resolution 71/124 in December 2016. Its aim was to spotlight the importance of conservation management and make sure that a system is required in place to prevent tuna stocks from crashing. The primary internationally recognized World Tuna Day was observed on 2 May 2017