Food Security

Choudhary said that to assist states in regulating groundwater resources, the ministry of Jal Shakti drafted a Model ‘Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Bill.’ This bill provides a regulatory framework to curb indiscriminate groundwater extraction while promoting rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge.

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.

Omar Abdullah, the head of the Kashmir government, stated that Kashmir is facing a severe threat from climate change, particularly in the form of a water crisis. He stressed the need for greater awareness and action.

Given the complex history of water disputes between the two nations, continued diplomatic engagement and technical collaboration will be essential in ensuring a fair and sustainable solution for both sides, officials say.

Minister of state for agriculture Ashish Jaiswal, who also attended the Nagpur event, emphasised the critical role of these assured funds in providing relief to farmers facing persistent financial challenges.

PM Modi expressed satisfaction that the PM-KISAN scheme, which has now disbursed nearly ₹22,000 crore in this instalment alone, has proven invaluable to small farmers nationwide.

PMFBY remains a cornerstone in India’s agricultural policy, safeguarding farmers' livelihoods and ensuring a resilient farming ecosystem.

In Uttar Pradesh, one of the largest sugarcane-producing states, Red Rot and Top Borer diseases have severely impacted yields. Heavy and untimely rainfall and flooding in certain districts have further worsened the situation, spreading the infections to unaffected crops, reducing both sugarcane production and recovery rates.