Current Affairs - Agriculture

India is on track to become the leading global producer of lentils in the 2023-24 crop years due to expanded cultivation. Known as 'Dal' after processing, lentils are a valuable human food source. Major lentil cultivation states in India include Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, showcasing the country's significant contribution to global lentil production.

The saffron fields of Kashmir, renowned for producing the world's costliest spice, are in crisis due to the encroachment of cement factories, leading to a significant decline in cultivation in the last 20 years.

The Tur Dal Procurement Portal was inaugurated by Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, facilitating farmers to sell their produce at MSP or market rates to NAFED and NCCF, marking a significant move towards agricultural reform.

The 'Electronic Soil' (eSoil) designed to boost plant growth in hydroponic systems was developed in Sweden, employing a distinctive blend of cellulose and a conductive polymer known as PEDOT (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)).

Andhra Pradesh attained the top position with a score of 94 in the agri-marketing reforms index released by Niti Aayog, showcasing its significant progress in implementing provisions proposed under the model APMC Act.