18th, January, 2022
Topic: Hydro Project
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- The Chief Minister said the Renuka Ji Dam project will play a significant role in drinking water supply and hydroelectric generation.
About Project:
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji laid foundation stone for the aspiring Renuka Ji Dam project in the state on December 27, 2021 from Paddal Ground, Mandi.
- This project will be built on the assistant river of Yamuna, Giri in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
- The national project will produce 200 million units of energy annually from the 40 MW powerhouse, which will be used by Himachal Pradesh.
(Source: HP Government)
Topic: Agriculture
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- Iffco: Upgrade to cheaper nano fertilizers for a healthy yield.
What is the full form of Iffco?
- The Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative (Iffco).
Reason:
- Switch to nano fertilizers because they are cost-effective and more environmentally friendly than conventional chemical fertilizers.
Important:
- Dr Bhuvnesh Pathania, Himachal Pradesh Chief Manager of Iffco, has said that the use of large-scale leading to an irreparable damage to soil structure, mineral cycles, soil microbial flora, plants, and on food chains across ecosystems, leading to heritable mutations in future generations of consumers.
- Pathania says that nanoparticles in fertilizers create a “smart delivery system” for essential items to be readily absorbed by plants. They can increase the nutrient use efficiency through mechanisms such as targeted delivery by the slow or controlled release. He says nano fertilizers can precisely release their active ingredients in response to environmental triggers and biological demands.
- Pathania says that it has been reported that nano fertilizers improve crop productivity by enhancing the rate of seed germination, seedling growth, photosynthetic activity, nitrogen metabolism and carbohydrate and protein synthesis. He adds that a wide range of nano fertilizers such as nano nitrogen, nano NPK and other nano nutrients are available in the marketplace.
- He says that nano fertilizers are cheaper than chemical fertilizers, easily and quickly absorbed by plants, do not affect soil since these are sprayed on leaves and directly absorbed from the surface.
- Half a liter of liquid nano-nitrogen is equivalent to 50 kg of urea, and the first one is also cheaper. Moreover, nano fertilizers are easily available on the market and give a better yield compared to chemical fertilizers.
About IFFCO:
- Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited, also known as IFFCO, is a multi-state fertilizer manufacturing and marketing co-operative based in New Delhi, India.
- IFFCO is not a private enterprise, but a cooperative governed by some cooperative principles.
(Source: HP Tribune)
