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Bengaluru: Last week, <keyword id="19902762" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Google" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Google" meta.hostid="265" meta.entityid="Google">Google</keyword> unveiled a series of new AI-powered partnerships aimed at advancing healthcare, <keyword id="19895783" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainability" source="keywords">sustainability</keyword>, and agriculture in India<br /><br />The tech giant is collaborating with both local and international organisations to implement AI-driven solutions in <keyword id="21690244" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diabetic-retinopathy" source="keywords">diabetic retinopathy</keyword> screening, urban waste management, and agricultural development.<br /><br />According to Google, these announcements were made during a roundtable in Bengaluru, marking the fifth anniversary of Google's Research Lab in the city. This follows the 10th edition of the Google for India event, which showcased the potential of AI to benefit individuals, businesses, and society at large.<br /><br />Dr Manish Gupta, Research Director of Google DeepMind, stated, "Collaborating with key Indian organisations, our focused research in India across language understanding, healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability is helping tackle many of the country's unique challenges and creating AI-led solutions that will improve billions of lives."<br /><br />Google is working with <keyword id="23588208" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Forus-Health" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Forus Health" meta.hostid="265" meta.entityid="Forus Health">Forus Health</keyword> and AuroLab in India and Perceptra in Thailand to provide 6 million AI-assisted screenings for diabetic retinopathy over the next decade.<br /><br />These screenings aim to detect and prevent blindness in diabetic patients, particularly in resource-limited communities. The AI model has already supported over 600,000 screenings worldwide, with initial research and deployment carried out in India.<br /><br />Sunny Virmani, Group Product Manager, Health AI Research at Google, remarked, "From our initial research to the first patient screening in Madurai, India, we've been committed to translating AI's potential into meaningful change for people globally. And now the partnerships with Forus Health, AuroLab, and Perceptra are helping us expand on this commitment, as a global network of innovators comes together to eradicate preventable blindness due to diabetic retinopathy."<br /><br />Google's CircularNet, an AI-driven computer vision model for waste management, is being deployed in partnership with Bengaluru-based Saahas Zero Waste.<br /><br />CircularNet helps identify and sort plastic waste, facilitating recycling and reducing the strain on landfills. Powered by Google's TensorFlow, the model has shown approximately 85% accuracy in detecting plastic waste during a pilot programme, potentially boosting revenue for material recovery facilities by 10-12%.<br /><br />To support data-driven decision-making in agriculture, Google is also opening its Agricultural Landscape Understanding (ALU) Research API to developers.<br /><br />The API leverages satellite imagery and machine learning to provide farm-level insights, such as field boundaries, water bodies, and vegetation. The technology aims to optimise resource allocation and guide sustainable farming practices in India. (ANI)<br /><br />

Google announces AI-led collaborations for India's health, sustainability, and agriculture sectors

Sustainable Agriculture Practices

Google's new report on <keyword id="19904566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence" source="keywords">artificial intelligence</keyword> (AI) emphasizes responsible AI development and suggests recommendations for policymakers, companies, and civil society.<br /><br />The report titled "An AI Opportunity Agenda for India" outlines how artificial intelligence can drive <keyword id="19900794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-growth" source="keywords">economic growth</keyword>, social progress and global leadership for the nation.<br /><br />The report says India with its rapidly growing economy, outstanding tech talent, young demography and vibrant start-up ecosystem, is poised to reap the immense benefits of artificial intelligence. <br /><br />A comprehensive and responsible approach to AI can unlock significant economic growth and societal progress in India. <br /><br />"The potential economic impact of AI in India is substantial - reports estimate that at least INR 33.8 lakh crore of economic value from <keyword id="20037918" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="AI-adoption" source="keywords">AI adoption</keyword> can be achieved in India in 2030. While these achievements signify a promising beginning, unlocking the full potential of AI hinges on the strategic decisions we make today," says a Google's press release.<br /><br />The report suggests that to maximize the AI opportunity for India collaborative efforts are needed across government, industry, and civil society. <br /><br />They need to prioritise three key areas which include investments in infrastructure and innovation, building human capital and an AI-powered workforce and promoting wide adoption and universal accessibility.<br /><br />AI is already addressing some of the most pressing challenges like revolutionizing farming practices and improving <keyword id="20646060" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="healthcare-access" source="keywords">healthcare access</keyword>. <br /><br />The <keyword id="20214323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="agriculture-sector" source="keywords">agriculture sector</keyword> is getting the benefits of AI through minimizing climate risks, optimizing productivity and sustainability, and providing access to real-time crop pricing information and early warning of potential crop threats. Many <keyword id="23569666" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-powered-platforms" source="keywords">AI-powered platforms</keyword> are empowering farmers to boost crop yields and encourage sustainable practices.<br /><br />In the healthcare sector, AI is being used for better diagnosis, bigger access, and personalized care, especially for underserved communities. <br /><br />Google has partnered with <keyword id="23569667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ARMMAN" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="ARMMAN" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="ARMMAN">ARMMAN</keyword> to use AI to identify women at risk of dropping out of their health information program, allowing for personalized interventions to improve maternal health outcomes.<br /><br />ARMAAN seeks to address the pervasive systemic problems underlying maternal and child mortality and morbidity in India.<br />

AI adoption can unleash Rs 33.8 lakh crore of economic benefit to India in 2030: Google Report

The pre-budget <keyword id="20613906" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Economic-Survey" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Economic Survey" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Economic Survey">Economic Survey</keyword> on Monday called for urgent reforms in India's <keyword id="19915424" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="agricultural-sector" source="keywords">agricultural sector</keyword>, warning that the structural issues could impede the country's overall <keyword id="19900794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-growth" source="keywords">economic growth</keyword> trajectory. The survey, tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword>, highlighted the untapped potential of the <keyword id="20682012" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-agriculture" source="keywords">Indian agriculture</keyword> sector compared to other economies. <br /><br /> Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran called for a pan-India dialogue on the agriculture sector. <br /><br /> The survey, presented ahead of the annual budget, emphasised that India has yet to fully leverage its agricultural sector for economic growth and job creation, unlike East Asian economies and Western developed nations. <br /><br /> "Indian agriculture is not in a crisis now but requires a serious <keyword id="20544318" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="structural-transformation" source="keywords">structural transformation</keyword> because climate change and water criticality loom large in the times to come," the survey stated. <br /><br /> The CEA advocated for a reassessment of existing policies, despite current government subsidies and support measures for farmers. <br /><br /> "The payoff will be immense if we untie the knots that bedevil farm sector policies," Nageswaran said in the survey's preface. <br /><br /> While the government provides substantial support to farmers through subsidies on water, electricity, and fertilizers, along with income tax exemptions and minimum support prices, there is room for improvement in policy implementation, he added. <br /><br /> The survey identified several key challenges, including balancing growth with food inflation management, improving price discovery, and addressing land fragmentation. <br /><br /> To address these challenges, the survey recommends multi-pronged reforms, which include: upgrading agricultural technology, enhancing marketing avenues, adopting farming innovations, reducing input wastage, and improving the agriculture-industry linkages. <br /><br /> The document stressed the need to shift focus from basic <keyword id="19992806" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-security" source="keywords">food security</keyword> to nutritional security, aligning with a 'demand-driven food system' that is both nutritious and environmentally sustainable. <br /><br /> The survey suggested that policymakers must strike a delicate balance between incentivizing farmers to increase production and keeping food prices within acceptable limits. "This dual objective requires careful policy interventions." <br /><br /> The survey also emphasized the need for a farmer-friendly policy framework to ensure markets function in farmers' interests. <br /><br /> It recommended avoiding bans on futures or options markets at the first sign of price spikes; invoking bans only under exceptional circumstances; re-examining the inflation-targeting framework; increasing the total net irrigated area, and aligning farming practices with <keyword id="22505922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-considerations" source="keywords">climate considerations</keyword>. <br /><br /> Looking ahead to 2047, the survey highlighted the potential of agriculture and allied sectors (horticulture, livestock, fisheries, dairy, and food processing) for sustained <keyword id="20268655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="employment-generation" source="keywords">employment generation</keyword>. <br /><br /> "To sustain growth for nearly a generation up to 2047 or more and to ensure that it makes people's lives better and fulfills their aspirations, bottom-up reforms are necessary," it noted. <br /><br /> It suggested that India may need to reconsider the traditional development model of transitioning from agriculture to industry and services.

Economic Survey calls for urgent agricultural reforms; cites growth hurdles

The Budget 2024-2025 announcement by Union Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> saw productivity and resilience in <keyword id="19931887" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="agriculture" source="keywords">agriculture</keyword> being prioritised above all else. With a desire to turn focus on <keyword id="19934969" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers" source="keywords">farmers</keyword>, or <em>Annadata</em>s, ₹1.52 lakh crore has been allocated for agriculture and its allied sectors. This is quite an increase from the Interim Budget announcement of ₹1.27 lakh crore in February 2024.<br /><br />It is being speculated that this substantial focus on the agricultural sector stems from the BJP's vote share dipping in semi-urban and rural areas during the recent Lok Sabha elections. In fact, when Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> returned for a third term in office, the first file he signed was for the release of the 17th instalment of the PM <keyword id="22000840" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kisan-nidhi" source="keywords">Kisan Nidhi</keyword> scheme, ET reported.<br /><br />However, the government's commitment to transforming agriculture and potentially the lives of Indian farmers could lead to the agricultural sector growing at 3.7% in the current fiscal, compared to 1.4% last year, as per the CII.<br /><br /><h2>Key initiatives in agriculture</h2><strong>Transforming Agriculture Research<br /></strong>The government is set to conduct a comprehensive review of the agricultural research framework, with an emphasis on enhancing productivity and developing climate-resilient crop varieties. Funding will be allocated on a challenge basis, including to private sector initiatives. This research will be overseen by domain experts from both governmental and non-governmental organizations.<br /><strong>Release of New Varieties<br /></strong>A total of 109 new high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticulture crops will be introduced for farmers to cultivate.<br /><strong>Promoting Natural Farming<br /></strong>In the next two years, the government plans to transition one crore farmers to natural farming practices, supported by certification and branding efforts. This initiative will be carried out through scientific institutions and willing <keyword id="20030597" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gram-panchayats" source="keywords">gram panchayats</keyword>, with 10,000 bio-input resource centers to be established based on need.<br /><br /><strong>Missions for Pulses and Oilseeds<br /></strong>To achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds, the government will strengthen their production, storage, and marketing. As outlined in the interim budget, a strategy is being implemented to attain 'atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) for oilseeds like mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, and sunflower.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111930255" title="Economic Survey calls for urgent agricultural reforms; cites growth hurdles" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><strong>Vegetable Production &amp; Supply Chains<br /></strong>Large-scale clusters for vegetable production will be developed near major consumption centers. The government will support Farmer-Producer Organizations, cooperatives, and startups to streamline the vegetable supply chain, including collection, storage, and marketing.<br /><br /><strong>Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture<br /></strong>Building on the success of a pilot project, the government, in partnership with states, will facilitate the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture over the next three years. This year, a digital crop survey for Kharif crops will be conducted in 400 districts, integrating details of six crore farmers and their lands into registries. Additionally, Jan Samarth-based Kisan Credit Cards will be issued in five states.<br /><br /><strong>Shrimp Production &amp; Export<br /></strong>Financial support will be provided to establish a network of Nucleus Breeding Centres for shrimp broodstocks. NABARD will facilitate financing for shrimp farming, processing, and export.<br /><br /><strong>National Cooperation Policy<br /></strong>A new National Cooperation Policy will be introduced to promote systematic and comprehensive development of the cooperative sector. This policy aims to fast-track rural economic growth and create large-scale employment opportunities.<br /><br /><h2>Budget allocation highlights</h2><ul><li>PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi: Will be retaining its allocation of ₹60,000 crore to provide direct financial assistance to 11.8 crore small and marginal farmers.</li><li>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: Allocated funds to provide crop insurance to four crore farmers, protecting them from adverse weather conditions.</li><li>e-NAM Expansion: Integration of 1,361 mandis into the e-NAM platform to enhance market efficiency and transparency, benefiting 1.8 crore farmers with an expected trading volume of ₹3 lakh crore.</li></ul><h2>Government committed to Polavaram irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh</h2>The Finance Minister said that the government is fully committed to financing and expeditiously completing the Polavaram irrigation project, which is considered a lifeline for Andhra Pradesh and its farmers.<br /><br /><h2>Future directions</h2>The government aims to increase public and private investment in post-harvest infrastructure and supply chains, promoting aggregation, modern storage, and efficient processing to reduce losses and improve food security. Additionally, the dairy and fisheries sectors will see significant development, with initiatives to boost productivity and exports, contributing to a sustainable and prosperous agricultural ecosystem.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111951205" title="Budget 2024-25: Changes to tax slabs, increased standard deduction and other changes to direct taxation" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

What does Union Budget 2024-2025 have in store for farmers and the agricultural sector?

A sixth-grade social science textbook that I read described India as a piece of fabric, with countless threads coloured in a myriad of majestic shades, woven together. This metaphor holds exceptionally well when put into the context of our <keyword id="22706215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-industry" source="keywords">handloom industry</keyword>. <br /><br />India has a rich history of handlooms and weaving cultures. The culture of handlooms is so intricately woven into Indian culture, that there are whole towns dedicated to the same: <keyword id="248532" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chanderi" source="Orion">Chanderi</keyword> in Madhya Pradesh to Pochampally in Telangana and a dozen more! <br /><br />Unfortunately, the handloom industry in India is dying. The struggle is multi-faceted, ranging from a declining workforce to fierce competition from <keyword id="20496028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="power-looms" source="keywords">power looms</keyword>. Hence, five years ago, August 7 was proclaimed <keyword id="22677698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Handloom-Day" source="keywords">National Handloom Day</keyword> in response to this crisis and to heighten public awareness. <br /><br />This date holds special historical significance, commemorating the initiation of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905—a pivotal act of defiance against British colonial rule. <br /><br /><h2>When did this industry come into existence?</h2>According to archaeological findings, the origins of handloom in the Indian subcontinent may be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The Mughal Empire was known to support and patronise <keyword id="20258864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weavers" source="keywords">weavers</keyword>. The support from the royal patrons resulted in the invention of new textiles such as ‘Mulmul’ and ‘Banarasi Brocade’ among others. This era witnessed a heightened worldwide demand for Indian textiles. In the 17th century, India produced 25% of the world’s textiles, with Bengal accounting for more than 50% of textiles and 80% of silks imported by the Dutch from Asia.<br /><br /><h2>What led to the decline of the <keyword id="19934660" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-handloom" source="keywords">Indian handloom</keyword>?</h2>The East India Company's entry fuelled the industry's initial decline, which started in the 1830s. The weavers were obliged to sell only to the British, and that too at exceedingly cheap prices, virtually putting them out of business. On the other hand, Indian cloth was taxed excessively to promote machine-made British clothing. <br /><br />The Industrial Revolution in Britain strengthened their indigenous textile industry, giving rise to new markets for cheaper textiles. In India, the collapse of the Mughal aristocracies meant no access to royal patronage. As a result, textiles like Khadi and muslin had little demand in the market.<br /><br />Circling back to the present, the industry is facing both similar and new challenges. Fabrics made on power looms are cheaper and faster to produce, in comparison to handloom fabrics. <br /><br />The industry is largely unorganised, and the wages are shockingly low. 67% of <keyword id="22706216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-workers" source="keywords">handloom workers</keyword> are earning less than the minimum wage every month. Faced with economic challenges, the older artisans are thus forced to encourage the newer generation to choose an alternative career path. This migration of the workforce from a traditional sector is evident from the fall in the number of weavers less than 35 years of age- from 26.13 lakh in 2009-10 to 16.07 lakh in 2019-20. <br /><br />The majority of weavers do not have access to banking facilities, let alone institutional credit. Furthermore, if one manages to accumulate credit, there is a mismatch between the supply and demand forces due to the lack of awareness about handwoven textiles in the current generation.<br /><br /><h2>Initiatives for revival</h2>The cultural significance of the Indian handloom isn’t just limited to its beauty and extravagance, but it extends to our independence struggle as well. The Swadeshi movement immortalised the <em>charkha</em> and advocated for the use of indigenous goods. Following independence, the Indian government took many measures to revive the handloom industry. <br /><br />In 1953, India’s Parliament approved the Khadi and Other Handloom Industries Development Act. In 1955, the All India Handloom Fabrics Marketing Cooperative Society was formed to promote the sale of fabrics produced by handloom cooperatives across India. <br /><br />The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) aimed to provide financial assistance for marketing and production. The Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme offers health and life insurance to weavers, to ensure social security. The organisation commenced a fortnight-long exhibition, “VIRAASAT” dedicated to celebrating the 10th National Handloom Day began at Handloom Haat in Janpath, New Delhi on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, and will conclude on 16th August 2024.<br /><br />The Handloom Mark scheme was introduced to authenticate handloom products, thus enabling weavers to gain better market access and ensuring that consumers get genuine products. Moreover, the India Trade Portal also mentions that the GOI plans to provide financial assistance of Rs. 30 crore to at least 10,000 handlooms.<br /><br />Various state governments also regularly conduct handloom expos and fairs, providing platforms for weavers to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers.<br /><br /><h2>Contemporary Brands and their love for Indian handloom</h2>Modern, popular designers such as <keyword id="8264" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sabyasachi" source="Orion">Sabyasachi</keyword> and <keyword id="21493890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ritu-kumar" source="keywords">Ritu Kumar</keyword> are known to work closely with weavers and have been doing their part by bringing worldwide attention to the handloom industries. Recently, <keyword id="1472101" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajrakh" source="Orion">Ajrakh</keyword> was brought into the limelight when Alia Bhatt wore a custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Ajrakh saree to Joy Awards in Riyadh. <br /><br />However, it’s not just the fashion moguls who are working towards the revival of this industry. Contemporary indie brands are partnering with local weavers, and creating awareness about their work. The emergence of such indie brands and their association with local artisans is beneficial for both entities. <br /><br />For instance, Joskai Studio derives its name from <em>‘Joskai’</em>, a woven piece of cloth worn as a part of the traditional costume of the Tiwa community of Assam. They work with artisans in northeast India, specifically from the weaving village of Saualkuchi in Assam. <em>Rouka</em> by Sreejith Jeevan is a Kerala-based brand that works strictly with weavers from Kerala, specifically Chendamangalam and Kuthampally.<br /><br /><h2>Employment and Exports</h2>According to the Indian Trade Portal, the Indian handloom sector is the country’s second-largest employer after agriculture in rural areas. The Handloom Census 2019-20 mentions that the industry employs about 35,22,512 workers across the country, with women forming 77.29% of the workforce.<br /><br />India is the second largest exporter of handloom products in the world, with exports valued at $ 353.9 million in 2017- 18, as per EXIM bank's working papers. <br /><br />The major handloom export centres are Karur, Panipat, Varanasi and Kannur where handloom products like bed linen, table linen, toilet linen, floor coverings, and embroidered textile materials and curtains etc. are produced for export markets. During April 2021-February 2022, India exported handloom products worth 1693 crore, as per Indian Trade Portal. <br /><br />Indian silk scarves also form a sizable chunk of total handloom exports, in addition to home textiles like carpets, rugs and mats, which constitute over 13.6% of India’s total handloom exports.<br /><br /><h2>The Path Forward</h2>The mere existence of organisations and allocation of funds isn’t enough to sustain the legacy of India’s rich handloom industry. Big corporations working with local weavers ensure employment but don't protect them from exploitation and meagre wages, leaving them vulnerable.<br /><br />The people in power ought to come up with strategies that ensure the trickle-down effect of the schemes and funds. The new generation of buyers has a greater purchasing power than the one before them. Marketing focused on bringing Indian handloom practices into the limelight can do wonders in this case.<br />

Fabric of a nation: Sustaining India's handloom legacy in modern times

As the global urgency to combat <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> intensifies, all eyes are on India's <keyword id="19955368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget-2024" source="keywords">Budget 2024</keyword>, as there’s no better way to walk the talk than allocating funds. Speculation is rife about the potential measures the government may introduce to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future — a move that is supremely necessary after the slew of deadly climate catastrophes that we saw last year.<br /><br />India’s Union Budget 2024 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a couple of days, and is expected to reflect the nation’s commitment to achieving <keyword id="21280854" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="net-zero-carbon-emissions" source="keywords">net-zero carbon emissions</keyword> by 2070. Here are some of the key initiatives from the interim budget that was presented in February earlier this year, along with their anticipated impacts!<br /><h2>Rooftop Solarisation</h2>One of the most talked-about initiatives is the ambitious rooftop solar programme, which aims to provide free electricity up to 300 units per month to one crore households. If implemented, this move will help in not only cutting down energy bills — a godsend for the middle- and lower-income folks — but will also give households a chance to generate and even sell their surplus power.<br /><h2>Electric Vehicle (EV) Ecosystem</h2>Charging up the electric vehicle movement, the interim budget included measures to expand EV manufacturing and infrastructure in the country. The move aimed to accelerate the adoption of <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">electric vehicles</keyword>, reducing emissions from the transport sector and making your commute cleaner and greener. Additionally, the government seemed keen on encouraging the adoption of electric buses to make urban travel more eco-friendly.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111855546" title="Budget 2024: How will budget affect India’s position in the global space race?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2><keyword id="20495045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="offshore-wind-energy" source="keywords">Offshore Wind Energy</keyword></h2>Riding the winds of change, the interim budget introduced a viability gap funding for 1 GW of offshore wind energy. As per the Finance Ministry, this initiative aims to harness the power of India’s vast coastline, pushing the envelope on <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> and reducing our fossil fuel dependency.<br /><h2><keyword id="22499996" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-green-hydrogen" source="keywords">National Green Hydrogen</keyword> Mission</h2>The interim budget also supercharged the National Green Hydrogen Mission with a massive boost to Rs 600 crore from last year’s Rs 297 crore. The government has continually insisted that Green Hydrogen is set to become the fuel of the future, and this announcement supports its development and adoption, paving the way for cleaner industrial processes.<br /><h2>Coal Gasification and Liquefaction</h2>Switching up the coal game, the interim budget plans to set up coal gasification and liquefaction projects that will be able to process 100 metric tonnes by 2030. These projects aim to make the most out of coal in a cleaner way, especially by reducing our reliance on imported natural gas and slashing emissions.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111827903" title="Union Budget 2024 for Railways: Expectations focused on improving passenger safety, experience, infrastructure" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Bioenergy and Biomass Aggregation</h2>Turning waste into wealth, the interim budget has also promised additional financial assistance for biomass aggregation. This, they explain, will help in creating a sustainable model for managing agricultural waste, promoting bioenergy production and giving farmers a new revenue stream.<br /><h2>Research and Development (R&amp;D)</h2>In a nod to innovation, the interim budget allocated a whopping Rs 1 lakh crore for interest-free financing in “sunrise” R&amp;D for emerging <keyword id="19931192" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-technologies" source="keywords">green technologies</keyword>. If the government follows through on this promise, the funding could catapult a wave of innovation, supporting the transition to a sustainable energy future.<br /><br />By focusing on renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting green technologies, India’s initial budget allocations seem to be taking significant strides towards its net-zero goal. Whether this will ultimately pan out to become a greener and more resilient future for its citizens remains to be seen.<br />

Budget 2024: Key sustainability and energy initiatives that Indian government plans to implement this year

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Dennis Hutson has found ways to use less water in one of the most drought-stricken places in the US.</li><li>At his TAC Farm in San Joaquin Valley, CA, Hutson is training people of color to farm sustainably.</li></ul><p>Dennis Hutson has played many roles in his life: pastor, US Air Force chaplain, and devoted husband and father of three — to name a few.</p><p>But it wasn't until he co-bought 60 acres of land in Allensworth, California, that he felt he'd fulfilled his ultimate destiny.</p><h2>A Black-led agricultural revolution over 100 years in the making</h2><p>Allensworth is the first Black-founded and -governed town in California.</p><p>Allen Allensworth, an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/family-escapes-modern-day-slavery-in-pakistan-2023-11">escaped slave</a>, founded it in 1908. He traveled throughout the eastern and midwestern US advocating for self-help programs that would give Black people a chance at social and economic self-sufficiency.</p><p>"Allensworth believed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-practices-for-offering-allyship-and-support-to-black-coworkers-2020-6">Black people are meant to help one another</a> — to pull one another into a higher station of life," Hutson told Business Insider.</p><div type="image" title="Dennis Hutson in a green shirt looks at the camera while standing in a thicket of bushes." height="720" width="1440" msid="105863623" hostid="261" sizebytes="77250"></div><p>The way he sees it, Hutson's destiny is to carry on Allensworth's legacy through farming. He's launching a teaching program on TAC Farm, which he co-founded with his sister and her husband on the land they bought together.</p><p>Through the program, Hutson hopes to offer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/black-farmers-jubilee-justice-louisiana-regenerative-farming-2023-10">Black farmers</a>, indigenous farmers, and other farmers of color hands-on experience in organic and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/farmer-shares-sustainable-farming-plans-new-town-freedom-georgia-initiative-2022-2">sustainable practices</a>.</p><p>"I thought, this is a way to realize the purpose on which this town was discovered," Hutson said.</p><h2>Closing the racial gap</h2><p>Research has found that farming offers <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/build-black-wealth-millionaire-mentor-2022-9">Black Americans a substantial economic opportunity</a> to build net worth and generational wealth.</p><p>But research has also found that <a target="_blank" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10460-018-9883-3"><u>significant racial disparities</u></a> in farmland ownership, in part due to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/black-minority-farmers-covid-relief-racial-discrimination-2021-3"><u>discriminatory practices</u></a> by the USDA and lending organizations, have deprived farmers of color equal access to the loans, grants, and crop insurance necessary to sustain or grow their operations.</p><p>As recently as 2021, only <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/agriculture/our-insights/black-farmers-in-the-us-the-opportunity-for-addressing-racial-disparities-in-farming"><u>1.4% of farmers</u></a> in the US were Black or of mixed race — a significant decline from 14% about 100 years ago, according to McKinsey &amp; Company.</p><h2>A better way of doing things</h2><p>Hutson moved to Allensworth in July of 2017 — right after the 2012-2016 drought, one of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-town-sinking-drought-central-valley-2019-2">most severe in California's history</a>.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov/wordpress/?p=22505">San Joaquin Valley</a>, a stretch of eight counties in central and southern California and where Allensworth is located, was hit especially hard, which is why Hutson said he knew he would have to lean into sustainable practices for TAC Farm.</p><p>"Otherwise, you're just adding to the problem instead of helping to solve it," he said.</p><div type="image" title="Picture of Dennis Hutson on TAC farm." height="717" width="1433" msid="105863625" hostid="261" sizebytes="109656"></div><p>To that end, TAC farm has adopted more efficient drip irrigation methods, which help reduce manpower while also conserving water, Hutson said.</p><p>The farm also plants <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/patagonia-global-warming-solutions-2019-4">cover crops,</a> which aren't necessarily intended for harvest, but instead protect and enrich the soil for future harvest crops. Moreover, healthy soil can retain moisture longer, so it doesn't require as much water.</p><p>A few years ago, Hutson began replacing the alfalfa, which required irrigating six to seven times per season, with the cover crop oats.</p><p>"I planted oats and relied on rains for irrigation. With this year's atmospheric rivers, I had an abundant harvest," he said. It's sustainable practices like these that could help TAC Farm survive in the face of the US's uncertain farming future.</p><p>Over the next several decades, California's Department of Water Resources estimates that the state could <a target="_blank" href="https://resources.ca.gov/-/media/CNRA-Website/Files/Initiatives/Water-Resilience/CA-Water-Supply-Strategy.pdf"><u>lose up to 10% of its water supplies</u></a> by 2040, and economists predict the central San Joaquin Valley will need to pull nearly half a million acres of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ppic.org/publication/policy-brief-the-future-of-agriculture-in-the-san-joaquin-valley/"><u>farmland out of production</u></a>.</p><p>It's also these sustainable practices that Hutson ultimately wants to pass on to other farmers of color.</p><h2>Cultivating the next generation of Black regenerative farmers in Southern California</h2><p>Hutson's TAC Innovation and Teaching Farm program has recruited approximately six farmers of color from across the Central Valley and Southern California, he told BI.</p><p>In order to spread the word, TAC Farm partnered with a number of other organizations in the state — including African American Farmers of California, Crop Swap LA, and the Compton Community Garden.</p><p>Participants will get access to a small plot of land on TAC Farm for two and a half years, and can then sell the crops they grow to local co-ops, Hutson said. The program will also help participants apply for loans.</p><p>Hutson said most people don't realize how expensive agriculture is. For example, the Massey-Ferguson 4700 4-wheel drive tractor he purchased with a grant in 2020 cost $46,000.</p><p>This program will equip students with a more realistic mindset about what it takes to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lawsuit-put-pause-usda-effort-pay-off-black-farmers-loans-2021-6">start a successful farm</a> from the ground up.</p><p>"After land cost, the second big hurdle is finding a water source — especially in the Central Valley," he said. "More and more, that means drilling a well."</p><p>Before Hutson asked for a loan from the bank, he noted: "The bank said to me, 'We can't give you one until you have a water source.' So, I had to have a well drilled in 2009 — it's just 720 feet deep, and it was over $120,000. It probably costs twice that now. He added that's "not even taking into account equipment — tractors, implements, all those kinds of things."</p><p>Hutson hopes the sustainable practices he's learned and designed over the last decade can usher in a new revolution of minority-owned and led sustainable agriculture in California.</p><p>"They can say, 'We did this with our hands.'"</p>

How a California farmer is helping build a Black-led sustainable agriculture revolution

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Valeria Kogan is the CEO of Fermata, a software-development company specializing in agriculture.</li><li>Her team develops AI tools to reduce crop loss that causes food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.</li></ul><p><em>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Valeria Kogan, the founder and CEO of Fermata. The company develops software for monitoring plants and crops. The following has been edited for length and clarity.</em></p><p>When we think about food waste, we usually think on the scale of not finishing our lunch. In reality, agricultural waste is a much bigger problem. An estimated <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cabi.org/projects/global-burden-of-crop-loss/">20% to 40%</a> of crops are lost to pests and diseases, which affects our food systems and the planet; greenhouse-gas emissions from food that is never eaten account for <a target="_blank" href="https://ourworldindata.org/food-waste-emissions">6% of total emissions</a>.</p><p>I knew none of this about five years ago. I was working in bioinformatics, developing an AI-based platform that assists oncologists in diagnosing cancer, and I knew so little about agriculture that I couldn't even keep a houseplant alive.</p><p>But someone who ran a commercial greenhouse reached out to discuss how <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-iot-technology-make-wine-sustainable-vineyard-practices-2024-3">AI could solve those crop-loss challenges</a>. I quickly saw the opportunity to translate my work in caring for human health into caring for plant health, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fermata.tech/">Fermata</a> was born.</p><h2 id="f06a4c78-ade3-45c1-bad9-cba49e234347">Using AI and computer vision where humans fail</h2><p>Right now, many farmers try to detect pests and diseases early by sending workers into the fields daily to look at every leaf on every plant for early signs of issues. But people get tired, get distracted, and overlook the tiny changes that suggest an issue.</p><p>It reminded me of the specialists who review X-rays all day and miss early signs of cancer. We were using AI analysis of imagery to solve that problem, and I felt the same solution could apply here.</p><p>Initially, we thought about building a robot that would move through the fields but realized we didn't have the expertise to achieve that — and that a simpler solution existed.</p><p>We developed the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://croptimus.fermata.tech/">Croptimus platform</a>, which uses standard security cameras in greenhouses and fields to take pictures of every single plant several times a day.</p><p>Our artificial intelligence processes these images to detect any abnormalities. If it does, it notifies farmers via our app and suggests what it thinks the issue is. Using data science, we can also provide an overview of what's going on in a facility at large, whether problems are increasing or decreasing, and whether treatments are working.</p><p>With this technology, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/agtech-agriculture-industry-farming-methods-climate-change-labor-solutions-2023-9">farmers need less labor</a> and can identify issues sooner than they would with humans, meaning they can apply fewer pesticides. This saves a lot of money and helps produce more sustainable and healthy food.</p><div type="image" title="An interface shows Fermata software analyzing a leaf miner plant" height="785" width="1079" msid="113040962" hostid="261" sizebytes="54586"></div><h2 id="3d6dbcc8-bb64-4c3b-9ee3-7cb9fd45055b">Doing things manually while we build the dataset</h2><p>One of the biggest challenges we had to overcome was establishing ground truth to build a reliable dataset to train our models. Every agronomist, or crop scientist, has their own opinion and will make mistakes as well. We needed to not only compile a decent dataset from the ground up but also build machine-learning models that could adapt to mistakes.</p><p>We did a few things to help. First, we built a research lab, where we grow plants, infest them with different things, and record them on videos. We also hired an in-house team of agronomists to help us label these images.</p><p>Additionally, we launched our product to the public before it was automated, doing identifications manually and encouraging farmers on the app to give us feedback. This helps us better understand the problem and gives us a more robust dataset. Even as we've shifted to relying on AI for identification, this feedback loop helps us continually improve our models.</p><h2 id="3352e758-ad33-4e8b-830a-d008ed99432c">Building relationships to find future possibilities for the technology</h2><p>It's so important that any technologist trying to solve a problem in a new-to-them industry — especially more conservative fields like agriculture — stay humble and develop real relationships with the people they're hoping to help. If I marched in as a tech-industry outsider and told these farmers who have been doing this for decades that I could teach them how to operate and be more efficient, it wouldn't work.</p><p>Instead, I work on building relationships and trust within the industry. I approach it from the perspective of wanting to learn from my customers and understand how my tech knowledge can help them.</p><p>Ultimately, this has helped me see even more potential in what we're doing. I've learned that there's so much visual data in farming, from understanding whether bees are pollinating to seeing how employees are treating plants. The vision that Fermata has is to build a new visual-data layer in the agricultural industry that helps all stakeholders — from farmers to people who sell fertilizer to pesticide companies — be more efficient.</p>

Crop loss is a huge problem for sustainability and food security. I'm using AI and computer vision to help fix it. 

The Union Budget for 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, places significant emphasis on <keyword id="19941381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-security" source="keywords">energy security</keyword> and sustainability. As per the government, the current strategy will focus on ensuring that energy resources are readily available, making energy affordable for all citizens and keeping energy costs low to prevent economic strain on consumers.<br /><br />Here's a breakdown of the key initiatives announced:<br /><h2>PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana</h2>One of the standout initiatives is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This program aims to install <keyword id="20366573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rooftop-solar-plants" source="keywords">rooftop solar plants</keyword> across 1 crore households, providing up to 300 units of free electricity per month. As per the FM, the scheme has already seen significant interest, with over 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications.<br /><h2>Pumped Storage Policy</h2>To enhance electricity storage capabilities and integrate more <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> into the grid, the government will introduce a policy promoting pumped storage projects. These projects are crucial for balancing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111956035" title="Union Budget 2024: What FM Nirmala took from your pocket, what she gave you" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Development of <keyword id="20876045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nuclear-energy" source="keywords">Nuclear Energy</keyword></h2>Recognising the importance of nuclear energy in India's future energy mix, the government plans to invest in new nuclear technologies. The announcement also mentioned partnering with the private sector to develop and set up Bharat <keyword id="20260886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Small-Modular-Reactors" source="keywords">Small Modular Reactors</keyword>.<br /><br />Boasting up to a 300 MW capacity, Small Modular Reactors are mobile, flexible in design and require a smaller footprint. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that need to be built on-site, SMRs can be factory-built. These advantages can add up to significant savings in cost and construction time.<br /><h2>Advanced Ultra Super Critical Thermal Power Plants</h2>The Budget highlights the completion of indigenous technology development for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) thermal power plants. These plants boast higher efficiency and will be established through a joint venture between the National Thermal Power Corporation and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. The initiative includes government support for fiscal needs and aims to boost local production of high-grade steel and advanced metallurgical materials.<br /><h2>Roadmap for Hard-to-Abate Industries</h2>A significant shift is planned for industries that are difficult to decarbonise. The government will move these industries from energy efficiency targets to emission reduction targets. This transition will be regulated through the Indian Carbon Market, replacing the current '<em>Perform, Achieve and Trade</em>' mode.<br /><h2>Support for Traditional Micro and Small Industries</h2>To promote cleaner energy usage and efficiency, the government will conduct energy audits in 60 clusters of traditional micro and small industries, including brass and ceramics. Financial support will be provided to help these industries switch to cleaner energy forms and implement energy efficiency measures. This initiative will be expanded to 100 more clusters in the next phase.<br /><br />As per Sameer Jain, Managing Director at Primus Partners, MSMEs consume approximately 50% of the nation's power needs while generating over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, additional support — such as climate financing — will be crucial to ensure that the MSME sector adapts well to the green revolution, especially with how the budget has committed support to MSMEs to grow and compete globally.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111953230" title="Union Budget 2024-25: Mobile Phones to get cheaper, as FM Nirmala Sitharaman reduces basic customs duty to 15%" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2><keyword id="22521154" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-resilient-crops" source="keywords">Climate-Resilient Crops</keyword></h2>The government will release 109 high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticultural crops for cultivation by farmers. With the provision of research funding, including for the private sector, this move is part of a broader strategy to enhance agricultural productivity while adapting to climate change.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111957080" title="What does Union Budget 2024-2025 have in store for farmers and the agricultural sector?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Minerals for Green Technologies</h2>To support the growing demand for minerals used in green technologies, such as cobalt and lithium, the budget proposes exemptions from custom duties for 25 critical minerals and reduction on basic customs duty for two other essential metals. This move aims to bolster the domestic manufacturing of batteries and other components crucial for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.<br /><h2>Development of Climate Taxonomy</h2>A new climate taxonomy will be developed to guide the green transition, ensuring that investments and policies are aligned with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. <br /><br />All in all, the Union Budget 2024-25 sets a promising course for India's energy and sustainability sector. With substantial investments and new initiatives, it aims to accelerate the transition to a greener future, and hopefully take us a step further towards India's net-zero emissions target by 2070.<br />

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