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THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 12 March 2020 (Happy seeder (The Hindu))

Happy seeder (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 3:Environment
Prelims level: Happy Seeder
Mains level: Initiatives taken towards tackling environment pollution

Context:

Punjab farmers have sown 4.50 lakh hectares (lh) wheat areathis time using Happy Seeders. This is nearly 13% of the total35.08 lh planted under the rabi cereal crop in the state. Notbad, it would seem, for a relatively new technology, whichallows wheat to be directly seeded in combine-harvestedpaddy fields without any need to burn leftover stubble or loosestraw that is a source of environmental pollution.
This article discusses a simple, practical and cost-effectivesolution (Happy Seeder) to deal with the problem of airpollution in Delhi NCR region.

What do you mean by Happy Seeder?

Happy Seeder is a machine that can plant the wheatseed without getting jammed by the rice straw.

Why do we need Happy Seeder?

It is believed that much of the pollution in Delhi in wintersevery year originates in the neighboring states of Punjaband Haryana where farmers burn their fields to dispose of
crop residue.
This in fact is a simple, practical way to eliminate most ofthe smog that envelopes Delhi and the entire northwest ofthe country every November.
At this time of the year,...............................................................

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Benefits of happy seeder:

Happy Seeder removes the need to burn rice stubble before planting wheat, therefore reducing air pollution.
Direct sowing also ......................................................

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Way forward:

However, despite the benefits of the Happy Seeder, thereare some barriers to its adoption, the report says. These barriers include cost, risk aversion and existing subsidiesfor using herbicides and electricity.
To overcome these barriers, subsidies are being offeredfor the purchase of Happy Seeders.
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General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Delimitation commission, consider the following statements:
1. Delimitation is the act of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats to represent changes in population and is done on the basis of the last Census.
2. The delimitation in 2002, in which only boundaries of constituencies were readjusted, was completed in all states.

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