Why does NEOM project need more focus on Agriculture at initial planning ?

Saudi Arabia is investing in future ready city. As projected this city will have all the solution of problems in current urban cities. This city project cover all the horizons like manufacturing, water, technology, digitalization, entertainment and culture, education & research design and construction, food , energy, sports, tourism, mobility, health wellness & biotech, financial services , media etc. Might be the leadership of the project have some more idea.

One of the major aspect has been covered in this project or highlighted that is “Agriculture”. Though this is a Urban Development project, Agriculture is always considered as Rural development task. Yes that is Agriculture can only be possible out of city limits. Traditionally Agriculture is associated with Food and Fiber requirements, in some part of world it is also linked with shelter.

NEOM is future ready infrastructure project. If balanced agriculture will be not included at initial stage then it might not find proper space for inclusion. In such big project food will be first requirement for the humans. Agriculture is the only answer of the healthy food. NEOM project must be self-reliant on food production. 

           
                Why does NEOM project  need more focus on Agriculture at initial planning ?

If We say food production then it will cover all the ingredients / parts of food like cereals, pulses, milk, dairy product, meat, vegetables, fruits, spices, green vegetables, mushroom, marine food. It is expected that NEOM project have source of these food items. If project can’t go for 100 % self-reliance then it must try to reach its maximum capacity in self-reliance in food production. 

Except source of healthy food, Agriculture can be solution of many urban problem in NEOM projects, This article is written in that aspect how proper planning for agriculture can provide solution for the urban problems.  

Waste Water Recycling and its use:  

Such a big project will produce a lot of waste water. This waste water can be recycled and reused in Agriculture. Excess recycled water can be stored and reused in Agriculture. This water can used for crop production, Dairy Farming, Green houses, Fruit production, Waste water discharges in water bodies is a big problem in current cities. But in NEOM project it can be reused in Agriculture and other farming.

Temperature Control

 The entire NEOM project will produce a lot of heat, like body heat, cooking, movement, frictions. Controlling the temperature in sustainable way will be big challenge. The heat can be captured and it can be diverted to agriculture. Agriculture production requires optimum temperature for the different farming. Farming consumes a lot of heat for the photo synthesis and water evaporation.  The produced energy from NEOM project can be used in Agriculture and Thus Agriculture will control the temperature of the Project. 

Carbon Capture 

The entire project will produce a lot of carbon and carbon di oxide. The Carbon dioxide can be used and captured in agriculture. For future ready project carbon emission should be under control. Agriculture can be helpful for carbon capture for such big Project. If the Project is planned properly for the control of carbon foot print at initial stage then agriculture will be very helpful in this aspect.

Climate Control: 

The NEOM project is very big project so it will require the fresh air for the residents. Agriculture can produce fresh and healthy air. That can refresh the entire climate for the project. Dependency on artificial methods can be brought down. Even the residents will require some space so that they can breathe or experience the fresh natural environment.  Agriculture will control the greenhouse effect in such a big project.

Bio Waste Management 

The entire project will produce a lot of food waste, human waste. Management of the bio waste can be linked with agriculture and it can be converted into the manure and manure can be further used in Agriculture.  Bio Manure is good for the organic crop production. The Agriculture will be also based on the natural nutrient management and lesser dependency on chemical fertilizers.

NEOM PROJECT AND AGRICULTURE IN SAUDI ARABIA

Employment Generation

NEOM project will require employment opportunity for the residents. Agriculture will generate a lot of employment in agriculture production, farm management, harvesting, processing, packing, storages and marketing. With the help of agriculture project will produce its own food and own employment. Agriculture will require all the type of the work force from semi-skilled to skilled and highly intellectual personals.

 Agrivoltaics for Energy and Agriculture 

New concept of the Agrivoltaics will help in green energy production. Solar energy can be installed on the roof of the agriculture facilities. Thus agriculture will work as Green Energy production house. This concept is very good for the future ready infrastructure project for sustainable life.

Artificial Intelligence and Agriculture 

Now agriculture is Artificial Intelligence ready. It doesn’t require too much labour. Agriculture can be fit will the tech environment of the future ready infrastructure project. Demand based agriculture will lead to timely supply of the food produce to the residents of the NEOM project. Project will produce the agriculture production as per the generated demand. Scope of the export of the agriculture produce can be explored. In future NEOM can export its agriculture produce.

Healthy and fresh Food 

If the agriculture production will be within the project then Project will ensure the fresh and healthy food to its residents. The local food production will be chemical free and as per the standards of the city. Fresh and healthy food leads to good health and good health will lead to overall welfare of the NEOM residents.

NEOM PROJECT AND PRINCE OF SAUDI ARABIA

Entertainment and Recreation Activities

Agriculture is the part of the day to day life. It is great learning opportunity for the younger generation. It is the one of the best activity for the recreation. More the resident will engage in food production voluntarily more of they will become conscious about their health. For healthy lifestyle there is requirement of the outdoor activity, Agriculture is best option as out door activity.

Activities like fisheries, poultry, and Animal husbandry will also require in-house food. Demand of the in house food production will be great success for the success of this project. 

For the future ready project food production should be top priority. There must be all the option available for food production. It should be integrated with project and properly planned at initial stage. If the food production is linked to organic farming, carbon capture technology, lesser carbon foot print, healthy life style then it will lead to sustainable life style. NEOM is future ready and it should be self-reliant on food production.

Peasants (Farmers), Promises, Politics & Power ( State Assembly Election November-2023 and Agriculture Politics in India)

In November 2023, State Legislative Assembly Elections will be held in five Indian states: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Manipur. These state legislative elections are of great significance as they are considered a semi-final for the Lok Sabha Election, scheduled for April 2024. Power is intertwined with politics, and politics relies on votes to enact decisions. These State Legislative Elections in India are crucial, especially as the entire opposition has formed an alliance against the Current Central Government, which has been in power with a majority for the last 10 years.

The poor and peasants constitute two major voting blocs in India. Most political parties prioritize policies that cater to their needs. Countless promises are made to both communities to secure electoral victories. According to the World Bank, 10.2% of India's population lives below the poverty line. Approximately 56% of the population is engaged in agriculture as their primary source of livelihood, and 60-70% of the population is directly involved in farming and related industries. Agriculture politics in India always remains at the center of elections, democracy, and election campaigns.

 
Peasants (Farmers), Promises, Politics & Power ( State Assembly Election November-2023 )

The issue of farmer loan waivers is a paramount concern for all political parties. Poor climatic conditions and crop failures often render farmers unable to repay their loans. This has become a pressing political agenda in every state. Since 2012, different state governments have waived approximately ₹2.51 lakh crores in farm loans. However, this is not the end of the problem, as almost every opposition party is now promising farm loan waivers. What was initially a temporary solution to unpaid agriculture loans has evolved into a persistent problem for banks, farmers, and the economy. Peasant (Farmer) vote power in Indian politics is always considered a hot topic and is always given primary importance. In recent trends, rural voting trends always favor the loan waiver scheme.

The demand for electricity in agriculture doesn't remains constant throughout the year. During peak irrigation periods, there is an increased demand for electricity in specific cultivation zones, often leading to disruptions in the electricity supply. Farmers are left waiting for hours, forcing some to resort to fuel-powered pumps, incurring additional costs. Farmers who lease land are compelled to find the funds for alternative irrigation sources. Free rural issues in state politics also attract non-farmer rural voters. Electricity theft is the main problem in rural electricity distribution.

Free electricity disrupts both electricity supply and irrigation, placing an additional financial burden on actual farmers. Some farmers do not use the free electricity judiciously, resulting in excessive irrigation that can lead to nutrient leaching and other issues. Farmer vote bank politics demands such freebie schemes.

Despite numerous loan waivers, the problem of poor loan repayment is worsening, causing long-term harm to farmers. The interest on loans continues to accumulate, eventually exceeding the principal amount. Banks resort to seizing collateral properties against these loans, leading to land auctions. Defaulting farmers' credit scores decline, creating future obstacles when they seek loans.

In reality, the agricultural market infrastructure in states is deteriorating day by day. Taxes and fees continue to increase, with the burden ultimately falling on farmers. Farmers are also consumers of agricultural commodities, and they are compelled to pay more for their needs. For example, fresh or chilled vegetables like bottle gourd, tomatoes, lemons, onions, potatoes, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, carrots, cucumbers, and beetroots have been exempted from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by the central government. However, in Rajasthan, a new fee called Krishak Kalyan Fees is imposed at a rate of 2% on the traded value on fruits and vegetables, which is higher than the mandi tax on other agricultural commodities.

Peasant (Farmer) influence on elections is the bull’s eye for politicians and political parties. We witnessed the conditions during the protests against the three farm laws. Other important issues for farmers include suicides, Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crop produce, crop insurance, fertilizer subsidies, and irrigation subsidies. Although these are crucial issues, they receive less attention during election campaigns due to their lower political importance and uniformity. State politics and the agriculture sector are closely related. Generally, agriculture is under state jurisdiction, and the central government does not have much interference in day-to-day agriculture issues.

Indian Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities for Organic Farming

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, employing over 50% of the country's workforce and contributing about 17% to the GDP. It is also a major source of food for the country, with India being one of the world's largest producers of many agricultural products.

However, the Indian agriculture sector is facing a number of challenges, including:

Low productivity: Despite the Green Revolution, agricultural productivity in India is still relatively low compared to other countries. This is due to a number of factors, including poor soil quality, limited irrigation, and lack of access to modern agricultural technologies.

Increasing demand: The demand for agricultural products in India is increasing rapidly, due to the country's growing population and rising incomes. This is putting a strain on the agricultural sector, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the demand for food.

Climate change: Climate change is also posing a threat to Indian agriculture. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns are making it more difficult to grow crops, and this is likely to have a significant impact on agricultural production in the coming years.

Indian Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities for Organic Farming

Organic Farming as a Solution

Organic farming is a method of agricultural production that relies on natural processes and materials to maintain soil health and fertility, control pests and diseases, and produce food. Organic farming practices are designed to protect the environment and human health, and they can also help to improve the quality of food.

Organic farming can offer a number of solutions to the challenges facing the Indian agriculture sector:

Improved productivity: Organic farming can help to improve soil health and fertility, which can lead to improved crop yields.

Reduced environmental impact: Organic farming practices help to reduce pollution and protect the environment.

Improved food quality: Organic food is often higher in nutrients and flavor than conventionally grown food.

Opportunities for Organic Farming in India

The Indian agriculture sector is facing a number of challenges, but it also has a number of opportunities. Organic farming is an important opportunity for the Indian agricultural sector, and it can help to address the challenges facing the sector.

Growing domestic market: The growing domestic market for organic food in India provides a major opportunity for the organic farming sector.

Export market: India has the potential to export organic food to other countries, and this is another opportunity for the organic farming sector.

Government support: The government is providing significant support to the organic farming sector, and this is helping to promote growth and innovation.

Organic farming can offer a number of solutions to the challenges facing the Indian agriculture sector. It is an important opportunity for the Indian agricultural sector, and it has the potential to help the country meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Recent Flood in Rivers In North India and Its Impact on Indian Agriculture

Introduction

India is no stranger to flooding. The country experiences monsoon rains every year, and these rains can often lead to flooding in low-lying areas. However, the recent floods in rivers in North India have been particularly severe. The floods have caused widespread damage to property and infrastructure, and have also had a significant impact on Indian agriculture. Recent Flood in Rivers In North India  and Its Impact on Indian Agriculture

Background

Floods are natural disaster that occurs when water overflows its natural boundaries and inundates land. Floods can be caused by several factors, including heavy rains, melting snow, and dam failures. In India, floods are most common during the monsoon season, which runs from June to September.

The monsoon rains are essential for agriculture in India. However, if the rains are too heavy, they can lead to flooding. This flooding can damage crops, wash away topsoil, and disrupt irrigation systems. The impact of flooding on agriculture can be significant and can lead to food shortages and price increases.

Recent floods

The recent floods in rivers in North India were caused by heavy monsoon rains. The rains began in June 2023 and continued for several weeks. The floods affected the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.

The extent of the flooding was widespread. In Himachal Pradesh, the Beas River overflowed its banks, and several villages were submerged. In Uttarakhand, the Ganges River and its tributaries also overflowed, causing widespread damage. In Punjab and Haryana, the floods damaged crops and livestock. In Delhi, the Yamuna River overflowed, and several areas of the city were flooded.

Impact on agriculture

The impact of the floods on Indian agriculture has been significant. The floods have damaged crops, washed away topsoil, and disrupted irrigation systems. The damage to crops is estimated to be in the billions of rupees. The loss of topsoil will reduce crop yields in the future. The disruption of irrigation systems will make it difficult to irrigate crops and could lead to crop failures.

The impact of the floods on agriculture is likely to be felt for several years to come. The damage to crops will lead to food shortages, and the loss of topsoil will reduce crop yields. The disruption of irrigation systems will make it difficult to irrigate crops, and could lead to crop failures.

Conclusion

The recent floods in rivers in North India have had a significant impact on Indian agriculture. The damage to crops, the loss of topsoil, and the disruption of irrigation systems will have a lasting impact on the agricultural sector. The government of India is working to provide relief to the affected farmers and is also working to mitigate the impact of future floods.

Recommendations

The government of India should take steps to mitigate the impact of future floods. These steps could include:

• Building dams and levees to control flooding.
• Improving drainage systems to prevent waterlogging.
• Educating farmers about flood-resistant crops.
• Providing financial assistance to farmers who have lost crops due to flooding.

The government should also work to reduce the impact of climate change on flooding. Climate change is leading to more extreme weather events, including heavy rains. This is increasing the risk of flooding in India. The government should take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Conclusion

The recent floods in rivers in North India have had a significant impact on Indian agriculture. The damage to crops, the loss of topsoil, and the disruption of irrigation systems will have a lasting impact on the agricultural sector. The government of India is working to provide relief to the affected farmers and is also working to mitigate the impact of future floods. The government should take steps to reduce the impact of climate change on flooding, and to adapt to the impacts of climate change.