Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 14-10-2022

Q1. Stubble burning in Punjab can be solved by PUSA Decompser proposed by The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

PUSA Decomposer is a

1. Bacterial solution
2. Fungal Solution
3. Algal culture
4. Chemical decomposer solution

Answer (b)

Explanation:

Centre to help set up paddy straw pellet units to arrest stubble burning

• With winter approaching and instances of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana rising, the Union Environment Ministry announced a ₹50 crore scheme to incentivise industrialists and entrepreneurs to set up paddy straw pelletisation and torrefaction plants.

• Paddy straw made into pellets or torrefied can be mixed with coal in thermal power This saves coal as well as reduces carbon emissions that would otherwise have been emitted were the straw burnt in the fields, as is the regular practice of most farmers in Punjab and Haryana.
• Every year, about 27 million tonnes of paddy straw is generated in Punjab and Haryana. The problem is that about 75% or 20 million tonnes is from non-basmati rice that cannot be fed to cattle because of its high silica content.

Q2. Which of the following are negative effects of stubble burning?

1. Decline in soil fertility
2. Loss of soil flora and fauna
3. Global warming

Select the correct answer from codes given below

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer (d)

Explanation:

Q3. It is often referred to as a mountain ghost because of its coat that helps it blend in a snowy environment. The wild animal being discussed is

1. Clouded Leopard
2. Snow Leopard
3. Himalayan brown bear
4. Leopard

Answer (b)

Explanation:

A quest for the ‘ghost’ cat based on lore

The snow leopard is often referred to as a mountain ghost because of its coat that helps it blend in a snowy environment.

• Wildlife officials in Arunachal Pradesh await results of a survey to ascertain the presence of the elusive snow leopard in the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve
• A big cat’s skin that no one saw is behind the survey of the ‘ghost of the mountains in India’s easternmost tiger reserve.
• The snow leopard has never been spotted nor recorded in the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The 1,985 sq. km reserve bordering Myanmar has an elevation varying from 200 metres to 4,571 metres above sea level.
• Namdapha is the known home of three other large cats — tiger, leopard and clouded leopard. The belief that the national park is also the habitat of the snow leopard is based on the claim of a hunter from the Lisu ethnic community that he possessed the skin of the carnivore.

Q4. Namdhapa National Park is situated in state of

1. Uttarakhand
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Sikkim
4. Arunachal Pradesh

Answer (d)

Explanation:

Q5. The Ethiopian delegation is visiting this Indian state to understand functioning of Rythu Bharosa Kendras.

The state is

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Karnataka
3. Kerala
4. Odisha

Answer (a)

Explanation:

What are Rythu Bharosa Kendras that are being visited by an Ethiopian delegation?

The delegation met the Andhra Pradesh CM, who explained the RBK model and offered to share the operational know-how. The Ethiopian delegation will also meet officials from the agriculture and horticulture departments to understand how they work.

Rythu Bharosa Kendras:

• Set up for the first time in the country, the RBKs are unique seeds-to- sales, single-window service centres for farmers that have been set up across the state.
• They are a one-stop solution to all farmers’ needs and grievances. RBKs sell pre-tested quality seeds, certified fertilisers and animal Farmers can purchase or hire farm equipment, and even sell their produce at the prevailing MSP in the RBKs.
• Touted as role models for the country, agriculture and horticulture officials manning the RBKs also provide services like soil testing and make recommendations — on which crops to sow, and quantity and type of fertiliser to be used. The state government also pays crop insurance, procures grains and makes payments to farmers through the RBKs.

Have the RBKs proved to be helpful to farmers?

• RBKs facilitate interaction between farmers, agriculture scientists, and agriculture extension officers right at the village level. Apart from providing services and items for sale, RBK officials demonstrate new farm equipment and provide training to farmers.
• Based on inputs provided by officials after soil testing and weather conditions, many farmers have changed their cropping patterns and benefited immensely, according to the state Agriculture
• The RBKs have been responsible for elimination of spurious seeds and uncertified and dangerous fertilisers, which can cause crop damage and failures.
• Over 10,700 RBKs — multi-functional kiosks with digital Aadhar authentication equipment — have been set up across the state. The RBKs, staffed by agriculture and horticulture graduates, help farmers decide the crops they should cultivate in a scientific manner.
• They also assist in selling their produce at MSPs, through supporting systems of e-cropping, geo-tagging, and the CM App through which payments are made to farmers.
• The Centre has recently nominated the RBK concept for the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s “Champion’’ Officials say several agrarian countries are expressing interest in understanding the RBK concept and seek to implement it in their countries.