14 SEPTEMBER CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. With reference to “Agristack”, consider the following statements1. It is a collection of digital technologies and digital databases focusing on farmers’ welfare and
agricultural sector.

2. Data generated by it will be used for policymaking and provide solution to farmer’s problem.
   Which of the above given statements are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Solution: c)
   Explanation:
   Both statements are correct.
   What is AgriStack?
    It is a proposed digital ecosystem for covering everything related to agriculture –
   including farmers’ database, land records, soil types, crops, etc.
    The AgriStack is a collection of technologies & digital databases focusing on India’s farmers
   & the agricultural sector.
    As per scheme each farmer will be provided with a digital ID, which will be linked to their
   Aadhaar number.
   Data Generated by AgriStack will be used by Government & Companies in policy making & in
   provide solutions to farmer problems.
   Details to be collected:
3. Personal details: Name, age, sex, household size, Aadhaar, bank account details, KCC
4. Profile of land held: cadastral maps, farm size, land titles, local climatic & geographical
   conditions.
5. Production details: Crops grown, production history, input history, quality of output,
   machinery in possession;
6. Financial details: input costs, average return, credit history
7. What are benefits of a proposed “AgriStack”?
    It will help in tackling issues such as poor access to credit & crop wastage in the agricultural
   supply chain.
    Pest infestation, poor price discovery & yield forecasting can be sufficiently addressed by
   use of digital technology.
8. Potential Issues
    Firstly, no farmer organisations seem to have been consulted during the drafting of the
   recent agricultural reforms.
    It is likely to push farmers even faster into the clutches of companies & agribusiness – with
   no proper safeguards to protect their rights & interests.
    There exist risks of exclusion with Aadhaar linked welfare delivery.
   Q2. With reference to Nano Urea Liquid, consider the following statements1. It gets absorbed by plants more effectively.
9. It is costlier than conventional urea.
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10. It has the potential to improve underground water quality.
    Which of the above given statements are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 and 3 only
    c) 2 only
    d) 1 and 3 only
    Solution: d)
    Explanation:
    Statement 2 is not correct.
    What is Nano Urea Liquid?
     Nano-tech has enabled designing ultra-small particles that offers higher surface-mass
    ratios.
     Due to the ultra-small size & surface properties, the nano urea liquid gets absorbed by
    plants more effectNively when sprayed on their leaves.
     Upon penetration, these nanoparticles reach plant parts where nitrogen is required
    & release nutrients in a controlled manner.
     Nano Urea will act as an alternative to conventional urea.
11. Conventional Urea
     Conventional Urea forms 82 % of the total nitrogenous fertilisers consumed in India.
     It is one of the most important nitrogenous fertilisers in the country, with a high nitrogen
    content of 46 % & is available at one of the lowest market prices.
     It is 30 – 40 ?fective in delivering nitrogen to plants (Nano urea is 80 ?fective).
12. Significance of Nano Urea
     It is cheaper than conventional urea.
     It will improve underground water quality.
     It will reduce India’s dependence on imports.
     It can minimize the requirement of conventional urea by 50%.
     It has been found effective & efficient for plant nutrition which increases the production
    with improved quality.
    Q3. Which of the following statements are correct about NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative
    Federation of India?
13. It is an apex organization under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer welfare which deals in
    cooperative marketing of agriculture produce in India.
14. It is registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860.
15. It advances loan to its members.
    Select the correct answer sing the code given belowa) 1 and 2 only
    b) 2 only
    c) 1 and 3 only
    d) 1, 2 and 3
    Solution: c)
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    Explanation:
    Statement 2 is not correct.
    National Agricultural Cooperative Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED)
     NAFED, an apex Organisation under the Ministry of Agriculture, deals with Cooperative
    marketing of agricultural produce in India.
     NAFED was established in 1958 to promote cooperatives involved
    in marketing of agricultural produce.
     It is registered under the Multi State Co-operative Societies Act.
     NAFED is one of the largest procurement as well as marketing agencies for agricultural
    products in India.
     NAFED is the nodal agency to implement price stabilization measures under “Operation
    Greens” which aims to double the farmers’ income by 2022.
     Agricultural farmers are the main members of NAFED, who have the authority in the form
    of members of the General Body in the working of NAFED.
     The objectives of the NAFED are:
     to develop marketing, processing & storage of agricultural, horticultural & forest produce,
     distribution of agricultural machinery, implements & other inputs,
     undertake inter-state, import & export trade, wholesale or retail as the case may be &
     assist cooperative marketing, processing & supply societies in India.
     In furtherance of these objectives, the NAFED may undertake one or more of the following
    activities.
     undertake purchase, sale & supply of agricultural inputs & machinery;
     act as warehouseman under the Warehousing Act & construct its own godowns & cold
    storages;
     act as agent of any Government agency or cooperative institution for supplying agricultural
    inputs;
     undertake manufacture of agricultural, machinery & implements, processing, packing, etc;
     establish processing units for processing of agricultural & forest produce, wool & allied
    products;
     undertake grading, packing, standardization, scientific treatment & process of agricultural
    produce;
     advance loans to its members & on the security of goods;
    Q4. Which of the following state in India have the highest number of Ramsar Sites?
    a) Uttar Pradesh
    b) Haryana
    c) Gujarat
    d) Odisha
    Solution: a)
    Explanation:
    Uttar Pradesh have the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India. It has 8 Ramsar sites whereas
    Gujarat has 3 Ramsar sites. There are only 2 Ramsar sites in Haryana which was included recently.
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    Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Ocean Commission:
16. It is an intergovernmental organization consisting of all the countries bordering the Indian
    Ocean.
17. India is a founding member of the Indian Ocean Commission.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Solution: d)
    Explanation:
    Both statements are incorrect.
    The Indian Ocean Commission is an intergovernmental organization that comprises five Indian
    Ocean nations: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion (an overseas region of France), and
    Seychelles. The secretariat is based in Mauritius.
    It coordinates maritime governance in the south- western Indian Ocean.
    Statement 2 is incorrect. India joined as an observer in 2020. India is not a founding member of the
    Indian Ocean Commission
    The IOC was created in 1982 in Port Louis by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius,
    Madagascar and Seychelles.
    There are five observers: China, India, the Sovereign Order of Malta, the European Union, the
    Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
    Q6. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the recently launched ‘EDISON
    Alliance’?
18. Its objective is to create a global market for sell and purchase of solar power.
19. It is an initiative of the International Renewable Energy Agency.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Solution: d)
    Explanation:
    Both statements are incorrect.
    Essential Digital Infrastructure and Services Network (EDISON) Alliance has been recently launched
    to work towards ensuring global and equitable access to the digital economy. The EDISON Alliance
    is an open- ecosystem of change-makers, mobilizing joint effort and aligning priorities to enhance
    the case for digital investment. The new Alliance will work with governments and industries to
    accelerate digital inclusion and its goal is to ensure an unprecedented level of cross-sectoral
    collaboration between the technology industry and other critical sectors of the economy.
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    The World Economic Forum has launched the EDISON Alliance. World Economic Forum (WEF) will
    serve as the secretariat and platform for the Alliance.
    Q7. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Kaipad farming technique,
    sometimes seen in news?
20. It is primarily a technique for the cultivation of pest-resistant wheat varieties.
21. Through this technique, crops can be grown in brackish water.
22. It is mainly practiced in the less fertile regions of Brahmaputra plains.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 and 3 only
    c) 1 and 2 only
    d) 2 only
    Solution: d)
    Explanation:
    Statement 1 and 3 are not correct.
    Kaipad farming is a technique of paddy cultivation. It is not a technique for the cultivation of
    wheat. Kaipad Rice received the Geographical Indication tag in 2014.
    Kaipad farming is a mode of paddy cultivation in brackish water.
    The traditional kaipad system of rice cultivation is an integrated organic farming system in which
    rice cultivation and aquaculture go together in coastal brackish water marshes rich in organic
    matter.
    Kaipad farming is practised in the Northern districts of Kerala. Kaipad is a saline prone naturally
    organic rice production tract of North Kerala falling in Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod districts.
    Q8. With reference to ‘National Startup Advisory Council’, consider the following statements:
23. The Minister of Commerce and Industry is the chairman of the council.
24. The Council will operate a dedicated Startup fund.
25. The Council will also suggest measures to assimilate innovation in public organization.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 and 2 only
    b) 2 and 3 only
    c) 1 and 3 only
    d) 1, 2 and 3
    Solution: c)
    Explanation:
    Statement 2 is not correct.
    Minister for Commerce & Industry is the chairman of the National Startup Advisory Council. The
    Council will consist of the non-official members, to be nominated by Central Government, from
    various categories. The term of the non-official members of the Startup Advisory Council will be for
    a period of two years.
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    The notification does not talk about any dedicated Startup fund.
    The Council will suggest following measures:
    1) to foster a culture of innovation amongst citizens and students in particular,
    2) promote innovation in all sectors of economy across the country, including semi-urban and rural
    areas,
    3) support creative and innovative ideas through incubation and research and development to
    transform them into valuable products, processes or solutions
    4) to improve productivity and efficiency and create an environment of absorption of innovation in
    industry.
    The Council will also suggest measures to facilitate public organizations to assimilate innovation
    with a view to improve public service delivery, promote creation, protection and commercialization
    of intellectual property rights, and by reducing regulatory compliances and costs.
    Q9. The term ‘Skyglow’, sometimes seen in news, refers to:
    a) An omnipresent sheet of light across the sky in the night.
    b) A satellite launched to study aurora lights by NASA.
    c) A reactor which mimics the energy-generation process of the Sun.
    d) A robotic mission to moon to study its southern pole.
    Solution: a)
    Explanation:
    The Skyglow, is an omnipresent sheet of light across the night sky in and around cities that can
    block all but the very brightest stars from view. It is caused by the brightening of the night sky over
    inhabited areas because of streetlights, security floodlights and outdoor ornamental lights. This light
    floods directly into the eyes of the Nocturnal (active at night) and also into the skies and misleads
    their path. ‘Skyglow’ is thus one of the components of light pollution.
    Q10. With reference to the direct-air carbon capture, consider the following statements:
26. Orca, the largest direct-air carbon capture facility, started operations in Iceland.
27. It will pull CO2 from the air and trap it in the ocean
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Solution: a)
    Explanation:
    Statement 2 is not correct. Orca, the largest direct-air carbon capture facility, started operations in
    Iceland. It will pull CO2 from the air and trap it in the ground. It will do this at the rate of 4,000
    tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, which is the amount the world would release in four seconds.
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     Direct air capture is one of the few technologies extracting carbon dioxide from the
    atmosphere and is viewed by scientists as vital to limit global warming, blamed for causing
    more heatwaves, wildfires, floods and rising sea levels.
     Direct air capture is still a fledgling and costly technology, but developers hope to drive
    down prices by scaling up as more companies and consumers look to redu