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(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) ISRO’S ROLE IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT

(JANUARY-2025)

ISRO’S ROLE IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Introduction:

Rural advancement forms a pivotal element of India’s growth plan, as more than 65% of the populace lives in countryside regions. ISRO’s space technology projects have played a crucial role in tackling difficulties in agriculture, water stewardship, disaster readiness, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. By utilizing satellite data and geospatial technology, ISRO boosts the efficiency and sustainability of various rural enhancement programs.

Key Contributions of ISRO to Rural Improvement

Agriculture and Food Safety

Satellite Imagery for Crop Oversight: Facilitates yield assessment and productivity evaluation throughout seasons and areas. Supports seasonal planning for fruits and vegetables to stabilize the farming economy.

Aquaculture

Monitors water quality metrics such as turbidity, salinity, and temperature for site selection.
Observes algal blooms and sediment levels to avert disease outbreaks in aquaculture farms.
Aids in organizing Public Distribution Systems (PDS) and storage facilities.
Pest and Fertilizer Oversight: Identifies pest outbreaks and assesses fertilizer and pesticide needs. Promotes timely intervention and management to minimize losses.
Soil Health Assessment: Supplies information on soil moisture and fertility, recommending ideal crops for yield. Endorses initiatives like Soil Health Card and PMFBY for crop insurance and soil management.
Export Strategy: Evaluates crop surplus for both local and global markets.
Horticulture: Hyperspectral imaging tracks plant vitality and stress.

Digital Agriculture Initiative

Key Features:

Agri-Stack and Krishi Decision Support System (KDSS).
Soil profile mapping for farmer-centered digital solutions.
Integration of crop, soil, weather, and water information into geospatial systems.

Water Resource Oversight

Mapping and Monitoring: Observes water body extent, capacity, and seasonal changes. Detects groundwater depletion and designs discharge structures.
Irrigation Efficiency: Supplies data on evapotranspiration and soil moisture for optimized irrigation.
Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP): Employs GIS tools for monitoring 8,200 micro-watersheds. Hosts information on Bhuvan-IWMP for real-time transparency and validation.

Disaster Management and Preparedness

Flood Oversight: Real-time information for flood risk zones utilizing rainfall and water level tracking. Post-flood imagery for damage evaluation.
Drought Intervention: National Agriculture Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS) amalgamates satellite data with meteorological information.
Early Alert Systems: INSAT delivers timely warnings for cyclones, droughts, and floods.
ISRO’s Flood Early Warning System (FEWS): Strengthens disaster readiness in rural areas susceptible to flooding.

Rural Connectivity and Infrastructure

Village Resource Centers (VRCs): Provide telehealth, tele-education, and vocational training. Deliver agriculture and career guidance.
BharatNet Scheme: Supplies broadband connectivity to 250,000 Gram Panchayats. Facilitates e-governance, e-health, and e-education services.

Healthcare and Education

Telemedicine: Connects rural health facilities to super-specialty centers. Supports mobile telemedicine units and disaster relief operations.
e-Sanjeevani: Largest telemedicine platform providing primary healthcare services.
Tele-Education: EDUSAT enables quality education for rural learners.

Land and Property Management

Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP): Integrates satellite data for precise land parcel mapping.
SVAMITVA Scheme: Maps rural land parcels using drones and helps resolve property conflicts.

Bhuvan Panchayat Portal

Offers geospatial data for decentralized planning.
Provides thematic maps and datasets for societal uses and environmental research.

Conclusion

ISRO’s innovative application of space technology has greatly advanced rural enhancement by boosting agricultural output, water management, disaster preparedness, and connectivity. These initiatives promote sustainable growth, bridge the rural-urban gap, and empower rural communities. Through the integration of geospatial technology and satellite data into various governmental programs, ISRO remains a transformative player in India’s rural development journey.