Bihar Affairs
The first consignment of GI certified Shahi Litchi from Bihar was exported to the United Kingdom.About Shahi Litchi:
Shahi litchi was the fourth agricultural product in Bihar to receive GI certification in 2018, following Jardalu mango, Katarni rice, and Magahi paan.
The GI registration of Shahi Litchi is carried out by the Litchi Growers Association in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
Muzzafarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Champaran, Begusarai districts and surrounding areas in Bihar have a favourable Climate for growing Shahi Litchi.
This litchi variety is more juicy and pulpier than other varieties in other parts of the country.
Because of the humid conditions and alluvial , the conditions in Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and surrounding areas are ideal for litchi cultivation.
Litchi cultivation was first introduced in India in Bengal, and it quickly spread to other states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab.
India is the world’s second-largest producer of litchi, with Bihar being the leading state in the country.
National and International Affairs
Indo-Israel Agricultural Project Centres of Excellence:
The <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture Ministry, the Government of India, and Mashav (Israel’s International Development Cooperation Agency) are leading Israel’s largest G2G cooperation, with 29 operational Centres of Excellence (COEs) across India in 12 states.
They are establishing Advanced-Intensive Agriculture farms using Israeli Agro-Technology tailored to local conditions.
The Centres of Excellence generate knowledge, demonstrate best practices, and provide farmer training.
The (NGT) has formed a joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal construction activity in Mekedatu. The Karnataka government had proposed building a dam across the Cauvery River in the same location.
Highlights:
The Mekedatu multi-purpose project entails the construction of a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River near Kanakapura in Ramanagaram district.
It intends to supply drinking water to the districts of Bengaluru and Ramanagaram, as well as generate electricity.
However, Tamil Nadu has objected on the grounds that the project violates the award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.