International Cooperative Alliance

India is all set to host for the first time the general assembly of International Cooperative Alliance in November 2024 to strengthen the cooperative moment in the country.

• The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is a global, independent, non-governmental organization to represent and serve cooperatives worldwide. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• The International Cooperative Alliance was founded in London, England on 19 August 1895 during the 1st Cooperative Congress.
• Function – It plays a key role in advocating, promoting, and advancing the cooperative model of business and governance, ensuring that the cooperative identity is recognized globally.
• It is one of the oldest non-governmental organisations and one of the largest ones measured by the number of people represented.
• It is the premier body for the global cooperative movement.
• The ICA's goals include developing international trade, defining and defending cooperative principles, and providing information.
• Members – The delegates from cooperatives includes Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, India, Italy, Switzerland, Serbia, and the USA.
• India is a member of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) since 1895 by delegates from many countries, including India.
• India has never hosted the general assembly for the International Cooperative Alliance.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) has successfully completed 5 years recently.

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana is a government scheme meant for old age protection and social security for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMF).
• The scheme is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the entry age group of 18 to 40 years.
• It is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare in partnership with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
• It is a Central Sector Scheme that was launched by Narendra Modi in 2019.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Small and Marginal Farmers, between the age from 18 to 40 years.
  • Cultivable land up to 2 hectares as per land records of the concerned State/UT.
• Benefits – Once they reach the age of 60, enrolled farmers receive a monthly minimum assured pension of Rs. 3,000.
• Pension fund – Small and marginal farmers can enrol by paying a monthly subscription to the Pension Fund.
• The fund is managed by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).
• Farmers aged between 18 and 40 years need to contribute between Rs. 55 to Rs. 200 per month until they turn 60.
• Enrolling Agency or Enrollment Agency – Means the agency chosen by the Government for enrolment of subscribers.
• Presently, CSC-SPV and State Nodal Officers (SNOs) or agency chosen / nominated by them is the enrolling agency.
• Family Pension – If a subscriber passes away while receiving their pension, their spouse will be entitled to a family pension equal to 50% of the amount the subscriber was receiving (Rs.1500 per month as Family Pension).
• This is only applicable if the spouse is not already a beneficiary of the scheme.
• The family pension benefit is exclusively for the spouse.
• Under the scheme, Bihar leads with over 3.4 lakh registrations while Jharkhand ranks second with over 2.5 lakh registrations.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L)

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) recently facilitated the first consignment of Indian pomegranates from Mumbai to Melbourne, Australia.

• Pomegranate (Punica granatum L) is an important fruit crop of arid and semi-arid regions.
• It has ability to withstand harsh climate and tolerate heat, drought and moisture deficit situations.
• Pomegranate has high medicinal and nutritional value and one of the richest sources of antioxidants.
• It is recommended for patients suffering from gastric troubles.

Arid region is characterized by high temperature, low and erratic rainfalls with frequent drought, soils are poor in availability of nutrients and water holding capacity.

• Exotic varieties – Wonderful, Granada and early wonderful are the exotic varsities found across the world.
• Soil – Pomegranate can be grown on a wide range of soils from sandy soil to sandy loam soil.
• Light soil with pH range 6.5 to 7.0 is highly suitable for its cultivation.
• However, it can tolerate pH up to 8.5 under proper management practices.
• Propagation – Pomegranate is commercially propagated through stem cutting and air layering.
• Air-layering is commonly used for propagation of pomegranate in the South India and hardwood cutting in the rest of India.
• Air layering, also known as marcotting, is a technique for propagating new plants by stimulating roots to form on the stem of a parent plant.
• A hardwood cutting is a technique in which a stem is taken from a mature, dormant plant in the winter or early spring to propagate new plants.
• Production – India is one of the major producers of pomegranate with largest acreage in the world.

India, being the second-largest producer of horticulture crops, sees major pomegranate production in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

• It is grown commercially in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• India is the only country in the world where pomegranate is available throughout the year (January – December).
• Maharashtra is the leading state with 65.51% of the area and 64.61% of total production under pomegranate.
• Economic Importance – A number of processed products such as juices, squash, jelly, anardana and mouth freshener are prepared by processing fruit.
• Among all forms, canned slices and juice are in much demand in India, constituting about 70% of the production.
• APEDA has established Export Promotion Forums (EPF) specifically for pomegranates, aimed at boosting exports and removing supply chain bottlenecks.

International Labour Organization (ILO)

• International Labour Organization (ILO) does promote social justice & decent work globally, its primary function is not to provide financial assistance or employment opportunities directly to developing nations.
• It primarily sets international labour, standards, promotes policies and provide technical assistance to Country.
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) publishes the World Employment and Social Outlook Report.
• The report analyses the effects of the crisis on employment, unemployment, and labour force participation at both global and regional levels.
• It also addresses issues related to job quality, informal employment, and working poverty.
• The report emphasizes the consequences of various crises on productivity, job quality, and employment opportunities, highlighting the potential threat these trends pose to social justice worldwide.
• The International Labour Organization establishes global labour standards through conventions that are ratified by its member states. These conventions are not legally binding.
• International Labour Rights Forum is a non-profit organization that brings strategic capacity to cross-sectoral work on global value chains and labour migration corridors.

ABMN (Annapeticenturam, Bavana Katukkay, Matulai manappaku and Nellikkay lekiyam)

The researchers has recently found that ABMN, a combination of Siddha drug treatment can improve the level of Haemoglobin.

• The treatment, called ABMN, is a combination of four Siddha drugs that include Annapeticenturam, Bavana Katukkay, Matulai manappaku and Nellikkay lekiyam.
• Researchers from Siddha institutions, including the National Institute of Siddha (Ministry of Ayush), Xavier Research Foundation, and Velumailu Siddha Medical College & Hospital conducted the study about ABMN treatment.
• The study involved 2,648 girls, with 2,300 completing the 45-day program.
• Participants were first dewormed with Cuntaivarral curanam before starting the ABMN treatment.
• Researchers evaluated clinical features of anaemia and conducted laboratory tests before and after treatment.
• The WHO guidelines were used to classify anaemia severity based on haemoglobin levels.
• A subset of 283 girls underwent more detailed laboratory investigations.
• The study found that the ABMN treatment improved the following:
  • ABMN treatment improved haemoglobin levels,
  • PCV-Packed cell volume,
  • MCV-Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin, and
  • MCH-Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin in the anaemic adolescent girls.
• ABMN treatment also reduced clinical symptoms of anaemia.