TLDR;
This YouTube video by Agriculture Wallah presents a comprehensive review of important agricultural current affairs from May. The session aims to enhance retention through a question-and-answer format followed by detailed news analysis, focusing on key points such as advancements in rice varieties, the introduction of gene-edited sheep, revisions in Minimum Support Prices (MSP), and the Clean Plant Project. The video explains complex topics in simple terms, making it easier for viewers to understand and remember the information.
- India unveiled genome-edited rice varieties, Kamala and Pusa DST Rice 1, developed using CRISPR-Cas gene editing to increase yield and climate resilience.
- India's first gene-edited sheep was developed to boost meat production.
- MSP for common paddy was revised to ₹2,369 for the 2025-26 marketing season.
- The Clean Plant Project was launched to provide disease-free, high-quality planting material to farmers.
- The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan was launched to promote modern agricultural technologies and improve crop productivity.
- The fifth Marine Fishery Census introduced a Jio-referenced mobile app for digital data collection.
- India's first Biochar Center of Excellence was established to train rural entrepreneurs in biochar production and marketing.
Introduction [0:08]
The session will cover important agricultural current affairs from May, which are crucial for various exams. The approach involves answering a question related to a news item and then discussing the news in detail to improve retention. An index will be provided to help viewers review the covered topics later.
Genome Edited Rice Varieties [2:12]
India has introduced two genome-edited rice varieties, Pusa DST Rice 1 and Kamala (DRR Dhan 50), to increase yield by 30% and reduce maturation time by 15-20 days. These varieties are more climate-resilient, addressing challenges like drought and salinity. The development involved CRISPR-Cas gene editing, a precise method of modifying specific genes. The GN1A gene in Kamala was targeted to enhance grain yield, resulting in a 19% increase over its parent, Samba Masuri. Pusa DST Rice 1 is drought and salt-tolerant, with a 9-30% higher yield than existing varieties. These varieties are not genetically modified (GM), as they only involve gene editing without introducing foreign DNA, which simplifies regulatory compliance.
India's First Gene Edited Sheep [12:21]
The primary goal was to enhance muscle growth and meat production. Developed by SKUAST Kashmir using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, the sheep targets the myostatin gene, which regulates muscle growth. Professor Riaz Ahmad Shah, who also developed India’s first Pashmina goat named Noori in 2012, led the research team. The gene editing process followed international biosafety protocols to ensure no foreign DNA was introduced.
Revised MSP for Kharif Crops [16:54]
The Indian government announces the Minimum Support Price (MSP) before the sowing season to assure farmers of a minimum price for their produce. The MSP for common paddy has been increased by ₹69 to ₹2,369 per quintal for the 2025-26 marketing season. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommends the MSP, while the government announces it. The Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) refers to the period when Kharif crops are marketed, typically from October to November. The maximum increase in MSP was seen in cotton crops, with a ₹589 increase for both medium and long staple varieties.
Clean Plant Project [24:02]
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare launched the Clean Plant Project with the primary goal of providing disease-free, high-quality planting material to farmers. Nine Clean Plant Projects have been initiated across India to combat low productivity in horticulture caused by pests and poor-quality planting material. The project aims to improve nursery infrastructure, promote modern cultivation practices, and enhance farmer access to certified, disease-free plants. Maharashtra will host three of the nine projects, focusing on grapes in Pune, oranges in Nagpur, and pomegranates in Solapur. Large nurseries will receive funding of ₹3 crore, while medium-sized nurseries will receive ₹1.5 crore. The project expects to distribute 8 crore disease-free seedlings and empower agri-tech entrepreneurs through funding and guidance.
Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan [30:55]
The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, launched by the Indian government, aims to educate and empower farmers with modern agricultural technologies to improve crop productivity. The campaign, running from May 29 to June 12, targets 1 to 1.5 crore farmers across 700 districts in India. Two thousand teams, including farm scientists, officials, progressive farmers, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), will conduct three meetings per day to reach 10-12 lakh farmers daily. The focus areas include promoting climate-resilient seed varieties, ensuring fertilizer availability, providing accurate monsoon forecasting, and promoting government agriculture schemes. Amendments to the Seed Act are proposed to control the sale of fake seeds and focus on seed certification and traceability.
Fifth Marine Fishery Census [36:37]
India's fifth Marine Fishery Census, set to launch in 2025, introduces a Jio-referenced mobile app for digital data collection. The census aims to collect real-time data on India's marine fishery communities to enable data-driven planning, better decision-making, and enhanced access to government schemes. The census expects to cover 1.2 million households in 3,500 fishing villages. The last census was conducted in 2016. The digital transformation includes the use of the Vyas NAV app, a Jio-referenced mobile application developed by ICAR-CMFRI. The nodal agency for the census is ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), located in Kochi, Kerala. The census falls under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), which provides insurance for aquaculture and supports marginalized aqua farmers.
Ethanol Production [46:10]
The central government has allocated 52 lakh tonnes of rice for ethanol production in the ethanol supply year 2024-25 to accelerate progress under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program. This initiative aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by blending 18-20% ethanol with petrol, promoting a cleaner environment and supporting rural incomes. The previous allocation was 24 lakh tonnes, with an additional 28 lakh tonnes added. The fixed issue price for ethanol is ₹22.5 per kilo, with the government providing a subsidy of ₹19.23 per kilo to oil companies. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will allocate rice for ethanol production, and oil marketing companies (OMCs) like Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum will purchase ethanol from distilleries and supply blended petrol across the country.
Biochar Center of Excellence [57:57]
India's first Biochar Center of Excellence was inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the world's largest meditation center near Hyderabad, on May 5. The primary objective is to train rural entrepreneurs, especially women and youth, in the production and marketing of biochar. This initiative supports sustainable agriculture by promoting a carbon-rich compound that enhances soil fertility, increases productivity, and aids in forest regeneration. The center will provide hands-on training to develop technical skills and promote entrepreneurship.
Important Dates [1:04:44]
- May 20, 2025: International Bee Day, with the theme "Bee Inspired by Nature to Nurture Us All."
- May 21: International Tea Day, promoting tea for a better life.
- May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity, with the theme "Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development."
