Context:
Recently, the Union government launched the AgriSURE Fund and Krishi Nivesh Portal.
AgriSURE Fund:
- Stands for – Agri Fund for Startups and Rural Enterprises (AgriSURE)
- Aim – Foster innovation and sustainability in India’s agricultural sector.
- Objective – To support approximately 85 agri startups, with investment sizes of up to Rs 25 crore each.
- Managed by – NABVENTURES, a wholly owned subsidiary of NABARD.
- Ministry – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
- Features –
- Support investments in sector-specific and debt Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
- Direct equity support for start-ups in agriculture and allied sectors
- Offers both equity and debt support.
- Focuses on high-risk, high-impact activities in the agriculture value chain.
Krishi Nivesh Portal:
- Also known as – Agriculture Investment Portal
- A centralized, one-stop platform designed for agri-investors to access benefits from various government schemes related to agriculture and allied sectors.
- Purpose –
- Facilitate investment in the agriculture sector.
- Provide a unified platform for accessing multiple government schemes.
- Enhance transparency and efficiency in service delivery.
Read more about: Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of “Conservation Agriculture” assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture?
1. Avoiding the monoculture practices
2. Adopting minimum tillage
3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops
4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface
5. Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Monoculture is the agricultural practice in which only one type of crop is grown at a time. It deplete the soil’s nutrients and destroy the soil microorganism diversity and reduces the biodiversity of a specific area so, it is not related to concept of “Conservation Agriculture”. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops also is not related to ‘conservation agriculture’.
