Current Affair Category: Agriculture

Why in News? The establishment of a Makhana Board in Bihar was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. This initiative is aimed at promoting the production, processing, and export of makhana (fox nuts), a key agricultural product of Bihar, especially in the Mithila region. The creation of the Makhana Board […]

Why in News?  Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget, announced a five-year mission to “facilitate significant improvements in productivity and sustainability of cotton farming, and promote extra-long staple (ELS) cotton varieties.” What is Extra-long Staple Cotton? Cotton is categorized based on fibre length into short, medium, and long staple. In India, […]

Public Sector Banks will develop a ‘Grameen Credit Score’ framework to empower self-help groups (SHGs) and rural borrowers About Grameen Credit Score: Objective and Purpose: Main Objective: To simplify access to financial services and loans for rural borrowers. Empowerment of Self-Help Groups (SHGs): The system aims to help self-help groups (SHGs) and rural borrowers, who […]

The National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM) is a government initiative designed to enhance and modernize agricultural marketing in India. It aims to create a conducive environment for efficient, competitive, and transparent agricultural markets, ensuring better returns for farmers and reducing the supply chain inefficiencies. The key objectives and features of NPFAM are: Key Objectives of […]

Why in news ? The government introduced the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS-MSME), announced in the FY25 Budget. Objective: To provide credit guarantee coverage for loans up to ₹100 crore to eligible MSMEs for procuring equipment and machinery. Guarantee Coverage: The scheme offers 60% guarantee coverage by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions […]

Approval of National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM):  The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the mission with a budget of ₹16,300 crore. Purpose of NCMM: To promote exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recovery of critical minerals, both domestically and at offshore locations. Goal: Reduce dependence on critical mineral imports and ensure self-reliance in critical mineral supply. Comprehensive Value Chain: The […]

Minimum Income Support (MIS) refers to a government policy aimed at providing a guaranteed income to individuals or families, particularly from low-income or vulnerable groups, to ensure they have a basic standard of living. Unlike traditional subsidies or price guarantees (like MSP), MIS focuses on securing a minimum level of income for people, regardless of […]

Revised Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS(D)] Policy 2024-25 Key Updates: Reserve Price for Rice: Fixed at ₹2,250 per quintal for sale to State Governments, State Corporations, and Community Kitchens. No e-auction participation required. Ethanol Production Support: Reserve price for rice sold to ethanol distilleries also set at ₹2,250 per quintal.  What is Open Market […]

Fueling Surge in Exports: India is the seventh-largest coffee producer globally with exports reaching $1.29 billion in FY 2023-24, nearly double the $719.42 million in 2020-21. Over 9,300 tonnes of coffee exported in January 2025 to key buyers like Italy, Belgium, and Russia. Rich Heritage of Coffee in India: Coffee cultivation in India began in […]

The Rubber Board of India has introduced two significant initiatives, iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect, as part of its efforts to enhance India’s rubber industry globally and boost domestic production. iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect The Rubber Board of India has introduced two key initiatives to enhance India’s rubber industry: iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber): iSNR […]