Agri-technology

A gene bank serves as a biorepository for preserving genetic material, such as seeds, pollen, and tissue samples, collected from various plant species. The primary objective is to protect these valuable resources from extinction and support research, conservation, and breeding efforts.

Eligible projects include warehouses, silos, cold chains, logistics facilities, and smart precision agriculture infrastructure. Loan applicants must contribute at least 10 per cent of the project cost, and an entity can apply for up to 25 projects, each eligible for a loan of up to Rs. 2 crore.

The climate-smart agriculture concept reflects the ambition to improve the integration of agriculture development and climate responsiveness.

Hydroponics uses less water and is more productive than soil-based agriculture and can be carried out all year round. Though hydroponics can be expensive and difficult to install, all it requires at its most basic level is the plants, water, a container and a source of light.

Case studies from Ethiopia, Mexico, and the Netherlands highlight how targeted actions, informed by robust governance and a focus on resilience, can catalyse broader progress.

For Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest producer of jackfruit, the fruit was a natural choice. Jackfruit is also the country’s national fruit and symbolizes abundance. Yet much of the potential of this fruit remained untapped.

Policy discussions often overlook the socio-demographic diversity among PwDs and the types of disabilities. Collecting census data to account for the PwD population and its diversity is a crucial first step in formulating effective policies for ICT accessibility, especially in rural, remote, and underserved regions of India.

Thakur emphasised that YES-TECH has already been successfully implemented in 10 states, with claim payouts for Kharif 2023 completed across seven of them.