1) Agriculture Infra Fund Scheme (AIF): Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched the BHARAT Campaign for banks under AIF.
- AIF is a financing facility launched in 2020 for the creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farm assets.
- The duration of the scheme is from FY2020 to FY2029 (10 years).
- Under it, Rs. 1 Lakh Crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans with interest subvention of 3% per annum.
- Eligible beneficiaries include farmers, FPOs, PACS, Marketing Cooperative Societies, SHGs, etc.
2) Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC): Anti- Genetically-Modified Organism (GMO) activists have alleged that GEAC is taking decisions without considering State’s position.
- GEAC is the apex biotech regulatory body in India under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- It has been notified under the Environmental Protection Act, of 1986.
- GEAC is a body responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the “release” of GM organisms and products (ordinarily considered hazardous) into the environment.
3) Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): The MOVCDNER scheme was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare during 2015-16.
- It is a Sub-Mission under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
- It aims to develop end-to-end organic value chains in the North Eastern States.
- It helped in bringing 1.73 lakh ha area under organic farming benefiting 1.89 lakh farmers.
Mission components
- Clusters development and formation of Farmer Producer Organizations/Companies.
- Support for extension services, input facilitation, training handholding and certification at the production stage.
- Financial assistance for setting up integrated processing units
4) Namda Art: Namda Art is said to have begun in the 16th century when Mughal Emperor Akbar wanted to get a covering for his horses to protect them from the cold.
- It is believed that a Sufi saint named Shah-e-Hamdan introduced Kashmiris to the Namda art.
- The distinct feature is that wool is felted and not woven.
- Namda works are used in the form of carpets, rugs, floor mats etc.
5) Nathula Pass: Nathu La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, is a mountain pass in Himalayan peaks that co-joins Sikkim and China.
- Situated on the Indo-Tibetan border 14450 ft. above sea level.
- Located on Old Silk Route, Nathu La Pass connects Sikkim to China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
- Indians require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit Nathula Pass.
- Border trade via Nathula was reopened in 2006, 44 years after it was closed since the Indo-China war in 1962.
6) Maputo Protocol: 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the Protocol to the African Charter on Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol).
- Maputo Protocol was adopted by African Union (AU).
- It covers a wide range of issues, including the political, economic, social, and cultural rights of women.
- It guarantees women’s rights to dignity, equality, and non-discrimination, as well as emphasizes their right to participate in decision-making processes at all levels.
- 44 countries out of 55 AU member states have ratified the protocol.
