GOA

Goa budget: Farming goes organic, to reap benefits in three years

Organic farming in the state is set to get considerable boost with chief minister Pramod Sawant declaring the government’s intent to bring over 10,000ha of cultivable land under organic farming within the next three years.

The government also plans to establish an organic agriculture university as outlined in the budget.

The chief minister also said that emphasis will be laid on setting up food processing industries with a view to encourage locals to venture into agricultural activities. In the absence of food processing units and storage facilities, farmers have to face considerable loss, particularly of horticultural produce. Sawant assured local vegetable farmers that they would receive assistance in procuring seeds and fertilisers as well as in preparing the land for cultivation.

On the water conservation front, Sawant announced the Western Ghat Development Programme. This, he said, would be the first step towards conservation of the Western Ghats.

INTERNATIONAL

UK introduced new points-based visa system to boost the economy

The New visa system will attract the brightest and the best workers from the world, including from India. It will reduce the number of cheap and low-skilled workers coming to the country.

The system aims to boost the economy of the country.

The end of the transition period after the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU) will formally end free movement of people within the economic bloc for the UK as a non-member.

The foreign workers who wanted to come to the UK should speak English and have the offer of a skilled job with an approved sponsor.

The new points-based visa system of the UK will expand the skills threshold for skilled workers

India ranked 77th on the Sustainability Index as per UN report

India secured 77th rank on the Sustainability Index and 131st on the Flourishing Index in the UN report that was commissioned by a Commission of World Health Organization (WHO), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and The Lancet. The report was released by over 40 child and adolescent health experts from around the world.

The report considered per capita carbon emissions and the ability of children in a nation to live healthy lives.

The flourishing index measured the best chance at survival and well-being for children.

The report assessed 180 countries capacity to ensure that their youngsters can survive and thrive.

The domains that were considered are educational achievement, growth and nutrition, reproductive freedom, and protection from violence.

The Sustainability Index ranked the selected countries on excess carbon emissions compared with the 2030 target.

India ranks 35th in 2019 WEFFI list

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) published Worldwide Educating for the Future Index (WEFFI) 2019. India jumped five ranks and secured 35th rank in the list.

WEFFI ranked countries that are based on their abilities to equip students with skill-based education.

It analyzed the education system from the perspective of skill-based education in areas like problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, leadership, creativity and entrepreneurship, and digital and technical skills.

India scored 53, based on three categories namely policy environment (56.3), teaching environment (52.2) and overall socio-economic environment (32.2). In 2018, India scored 41.2 and secured 40th rank.

The report highlighted that the decentralized education system is another shortcoming of India’s education policy.

The WEFFI report and index were commissioned by the Yidan Prize Foundation. It ranks 50 economies, which represent nearly 93% of global Gross domestic product (GDP) and 89% of the world’s population. It analyses the methods a country uses to equip the people aged 15-24 with skills for the future.

NATIONAL

DoT launched 5G Hackathon to promote 5G technology in India

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched the “5G Hackathon” on 21 February to promote applications relevant to India in the 5G realm. The 5G Hackathon was launched by DoT in association with several governments, academia-industry stakeholders.

The hackathon is aimed to shortlist India focussed cutting edge ideas that can be converted into workable 5G products and solutions.

5G Hackathon will convert innovating ideas into products and solutions in different verticals and develop India specific Use cases around 5G.

Union Ministers Harsimrat, Smriti Irani inaugurated National Organic Food Festival

Union Minister of Food Processing Industries (FPI) Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani jointly inaugurated National Organic Food Festival on 21 February in New Delhi. The festival is organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).

The three-day festival aims to strengthen the organic market and encourage women entrepreneurs engaged in the manufacturing of organic produce. It focuses to empower women and promote organic produce.

The festival will witness the exhibition of their organic products of women Entrepreneurs and SHGs in various segments such as fruit & vegetables, ready to eat Products, Spices, and condiments, Honey, cereals, dry fruits, etc.

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