UPSC EXAM QUIZ 28.08.2024

Explanation:

• Union government urged states to swiftly adopt and implement the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), Digital Crop Survey and Revamped FASAL Programme to improve farm production estimates and enhance data accuracy.
• It aims to enhance the accuracy, reliability and transparency of agricultural statistics which will help in policy formulation, trade decisions and agricultural planning.

New Initiatives Launched for Revamping Crop Data Collection

Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES): It is a nationwide initiative that uses a mobile app and web portal to assess crop yields and improve agricultural practices in India.It aims to calculate yield based on scientifically designed crop cutting experiments for all major crops across the country.It includes features such as GPS-enabled photo capture, automated plot selection, and geo-referencing to enhance transparency and accuracy.

Explanation:

• 19th India-Africa Business Conclave, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi India has unveiled an ambitious plan to double its exports to African countries to USD 200 billion by 2030. This strategic push is aimed at bolstering economic ties and addressing mutual challenges and opportunities.

How will India Double its Exports to African Countries

• Agriculture and Agro-Products: Indian companies are poised to help Africa enhance its food production capacity by sharing advanced seed technologies, agro-processing methods, and setting up incubation centers.India can significantly enhance Africa's food security by technology transfer, and expanding bilateral trade which reached USD 100 billion in 2022.
• Pharmaceuticals: With pharmaceutical exports to Africa already at USD 3.8 billion in 2023, there is significant potential for growth as India can provide affordable medicines and healthcare solutions.

Explanation:

• A new drug delivery method has been developed that can prove useful to patients suffering from asthma, cystic fibrosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cancer, or those exposed to corticosteroid medications for an extended duration.
• Scientists have used a chitin synthesis fungicide, Nikkomycin, to develop Nikkomycin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles. Nikkomycin is produced by the bacterial Streptomyces spp.

Chitin

• Chitin is a strong, natural material found in the outer shells of insects, crabs, lobsters, and other arthropods, as well as in the cell walls of fungi but not found in the human body.
• It's made up of long chains of glucose molecules, similar to cellulose in plants.

Explanation:

• National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) organised the inaugural session of the Advanced Leadership Development Programme on Public Policy and Governance for civil servants from FIPIC/IORA countries.
• It was attended by 40 civil servants from 11 countries, including Seychelles, Somalia and South Africa, reinforcing India's commitment to global governance reform and public policy cooperation.
• Topics such as geopolitical contingencies, cyber security and public-private partnerships were discussed.

National Centre for Good Governance

• It is an autonomous institution under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India.
• NCGG promotes good governance by conducting national and international trainings, governance-related studies, workshops and consultations and initiatives focused on citizen-centric governance.
• It is headquartered in New Delhi and registered office in Mussoorie.
• It was established in the year 2014 by upgrading the National Institute of Administrative Research (NIAR), which was part of the Mussoorie-based IAS training academy, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).

Explanation:

• Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting launched the first season of the ‘Create in India Challenge’ as part of the upcoming World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2024 in Goa.
• The Challenge comprises 25 competitions across various creative disciplines such as animation, filmmaking, gaming, music and visual arts organised by industry associations.
• The initiative underlines the Government’s commitment to foster an effective creators economy, which has been recognised by the Prime Minister through the National Creators Awards.
• The Awards seek to honour outstanding contributions in areas such as storytelling, social change, environmental sustainability, education and gaming.
• The creators economy is seen as a powerful tool to promote India’s cultural heritage including yoga, traditional medicine and multidisciplinary practice globally.
• In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Design in India, Design for the World’, the initiative aims to generate 2-3 lakh employment opportunities in the media and entertainment sector by ensuring talent and skill development and creating the necessary infrastructure.
• WAVES 2024, scheduled for November 2024, promises to be an important platform for industry actors, innovators and stakeholders to unite and shape the future of the media and entertainment sector.