Krishi Sakhi Initiative: Empowering Women Farmers Through Insurance Literacy

What's the News?

• The Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) has launched the Krishi Sakhi Initiative, a nationwide campaign to empower women farmers through awareness, capacity building, and enhanced access to crop insurance.
• Aligned with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the initiative adopts a year-long, structured outreach model to promote gender-inclusive agricultural development.
• Focus areas include insurance literacy, risk mitigation training, and grassroots engagement to bridge the gap in institutional support for women in agriculture.

Krishi Sakhi Initiative: Key Features

• Implementing Agency: Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Target Beneficiaries: Women farmers, particularly those engaged in crop production, livestock, and post-harvest activities; women constitute over 30% of India's agricultural workforce.
• Core Objectives:
  • Enhance awareness of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and other crop insurance schemes.
  • Strengthen women's participation in formal risk-mitigation mechanisms.
  • Promote financial inclusion and resilience in rural agrarian households.
• Implementation Strategy:
  • Month-wise thematic activities: Digital campaigns, community workshops, walkathons, and rural outreach drives.
  • Capacity-building modules: Training on insurance claim processes, documentation, and climate-risk management.
  • Holistic outreach: Integration of sanitation, hygiene, and health awareness alongside agricultural extension.

Additional Info

• Lakhpati Didi Scheme:
  • A flagship initiative to empower women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to earn a sustainable annual income of at least ₹1 Lakh.
  • The government has set an ambitious target to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis across rural India.
• Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC):
  • A specialized public sector insurer providing yield-based and weather-based crop insurance to Indian farmers.
  • It plays a pivotal role in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
• National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM):
  • The overarching framework (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - DAY-NRLM) that organizes rural poor into SHGs to foster financial inclusion and social mobilization.

Sources

• devdiscourse

Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA): Cabinet Approves 100 Plug-and-Play Industrial Parks

What's the News?

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA) with an outlay of ₹33,660 crore to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across India.
• Implemented by the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in partnership with States and the private sector.
• Aims to accelerate manufacturing-led growth, enhance ease of doing business, and strengthen domestic supply chains through ready-to-use industrial infrastructure.

BHAVYA: Features & Financial Framework

• Target & Scale:
  • Development of 100 industrial parks ranging from 100–1000 acres (minimum 25 acres for North-East and hilly regions).
  • Implementation period: 6 years (FY 2026–27 to 2031–32).
• Financial Support:
  • Up to ₹1 crore per acre for core, value-added, and social infrastructure.
  • Additional 25% support for external connectivity infrastructure (roads, rail links, utilities).
• Selection Mechanism:
  • Challenge-based mode: Prioritizes States with investor-friendly reforms, effective single-window clearance, and investment-ready proposals.
• Infrastructure Components:
  • Core: Internal roads, underground utilities, drainage, common effluent treatment, ICT systems.
  • Value-Added: Ready-built factory sheds, testing labs, warehousing, built-to-suit units.
  • Social: Worker housing, skill centres, and support amenities.

Additional Info

• Implementing Agency: The scheme will be anchored by the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP):
  • BHAVYA builds upon the success of Industrial Smart Cities developed under the NICDP framework.
  • It transitions from regional corridor-based development to a pan-India park-based development model.
• Target Beneficiaries:
  • Primary: Manufacturing units, MSMEs, startups, and global investors seeking fast-track production setup.
  • Secondary: Local communities and workers through the creation of millions of direct and indirect jobs.

Sources

• pib

Government Extends ALMM Framework to Solar Ingots and Wafers

What’s the News?

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has expanded the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework to include solar ingots and wafers.
• This new mandate, classified as ALMM List-III, is scheduled to take effect from June 1, 2028.
• The move aims to achieve complete backward integration in India's solar supply chain, reducing heavy reliance on imports for critical upstream components.

ALMM List-III & Backward Integration?

• Mandatory Sourcing: From the effective date, all solar projects—including utility-scale, Open Access, and Net-metering—must source wafers from manufacturers listed in ALMM List-III.
• Operational Threshold: The first List-III will only be published once at least three independent manufacturers (not under common control) with a combined annual capacity of at least 15 GW are operational in India.
• Ingot-Wafer Linkage: To promote deep manufacturing, any manufacturer seeking enlistment for wafers must also possess an equivalent ingot manufacturing capacity.
• Traceability: After the effective date, ALMM List-I (modules) will only include products manufactured using both ALMM-listed cells and ALMM-listed wafers.

Significance for Solar Manufacturing?

• Reducing Import Dependence: Currently, India is nearly 100% dependent on imports (primarily from China) for solar wafers and ingots.
• Capacity Growth: While India’s module manufacturing capacity has surged to 172 GW and cell capacity to 27 GW, the upstream wafer/ingot segment remains at a nascent stage with only about 2 GW of current capacity.
• Quality Assurance: The framework ensures that solar equipment meets domestic standards for reliability and performance, preventing the "dumping" of low-quality products.
• Investment & Employment: The policy is expected to catalyze investments of approximately ₹50,000 crore and create thousands of high-tech manufacturing jobs over the next three years.

Additional Info

• ALMM Order, 2019:
  • Originally introduced to ensure the quality of solar PV modules used in government-backed projects.
  • It applies to projects awarded through competitive bidding under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
• Existing Frameworks:
  • List-I: Covers Solar PV Modules.
  • List-II: Covers Solar PV Cells, with mandatory compliance set to begin from June 1, 2026.
• Grandfathering Clause:
  • Projects with bid submission deadlines within seven days of the issuance of the first wafer list are exempt from the new requirement to protect the existing pipeline.
• Strategic Goals:
  • Supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
  • Aligned with India's target of reaching 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030.

Sources

• newsonair
• energywatch
• economictimes

RISA: Timeless Tribal – Premium Brand to Globalise India's Tribal Crafts

What's the News?

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched RISA: Timeless Tribal, a premium signature brand to position India's tribal weaves, embroidery, and handicrafts in high-value domestic and global markets.
• Implemented by TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India), the initiative focuses on fair profit-sharing, design innovation, and direct market access for tribal artisans.
• The brand name draws from Risa, a traditional handwoven stole of Tripura, symbolising cultural identity and everyday elegance—now reimagined for contemporary consumers.

RISA Initiative: Key Features & Implementation

• Phase 1 Coverage:
  • 10 tribal clusters across India
  • 5 tribal weaves: Eri silk, Muga silk (Assam), Santal cotton (Jharkhand), Changpa Pashmina (Ladakh), Kotpad cotton (Odisha)
  • 2 embroideries: Dongria (Odisha), Toda (Tamil Nadu)
  • 3 handicrafts: Dokhra metal art (Chhattisgarh), Longpi pottery (Manipur), Turtuk brassware (Ladakh)
• Core Objectives:
  • Design Intervention: Modern product development while preserving traditional motifs; replicable frameworks for craft revival.
  • Capacity Building: Skill upgradation for high-end, export-ready production; emphasis on women's economic empowerment.
  • Infrastructure Development: Strengthening weaving clusters and establishing stitching/finishing units.
  • Premium Packaging: Eco-friendly, globally appealing packaging designed by National Institute of Design (NID) Haryana.
• Strategic Partnerships:
  • Collaboration with renowned designers (Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Manish Tripathi, Anju Modi, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Sameera Dalvi) via the National Design Centre (NDC) to bridge heritage with contemporary fashion.

Additional Info:

• The Origin of "Risa":
  • The brand name is inspired by the Risa, a traditional handwoven stole from Tripura.
  • Tripuri Attire: Traditional female attire in Tripura consists of three parts: Risa (chest wrap/stole), Rignai (lower garment), and Rikutu (wrap/head covering).
  • Cultural Milestone: Adolescent Tripuri girls receive their first Risa during the Risa Sormani ceremony (typically ages 12–14).
• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
  • Tripura Risa Textile was officially granted the GI Tag in early 2024, recognizing its unique origin and heritage.
  • It is used in religious festivals like Garia Puja and as a mark of honor for distinguished guests.
• Bharat Tribes Fest 2026:
  • A 13-day event organized by MoTA and TRIFED to showcase the art, cuisine, and commerce of over 300 master artisans and 78 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs).

Sources

• pib
• devdiscourse

Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme: Cabinet Approves ₹2,584 Crore to Add 1,500 MW Capacity

What’s the News?

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme for the period FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31.
• With a total financial outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore, the scheme aims to install approximately 1,500 MW of small hydro capacity across India.
• The initiative marks a strategic revival of the small hydro sector, focusing on decentralized clean energy in remote, hilly, and border regions.

Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme?

• Objectives:
  • To exploit untapped hydro potential in difficult terrains with minimal environmental impact.
  • To provide reliable, decentralized power to remote communities, reducing dependence on long transmission lines and minimizing transmission losses.
• Financial Details & Metrics:
  • Project Range: Supports projects with a capacity between 1 MW and 25 MW.
  • Central Financial Assistance (CFA):
    • North Eastern (NE) States & Border Districts: Assistance of ₹3.6 crore per MW or 30% of project cost, capped at ₹30 crore per project.
    • Other States: Assistance of ₹2.4 crore per MW or 20% of project cost, capped at ₹20 crore per project.
  • Investment Potential: The scheme is expected to catalyze private and public investments worth approximately ₹15,000 crore.
  • Indigenous Sourcing: Mandatory 100% domestic sourcing of plant and machinery, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
• Implementation Features:
  • DPR Support: An allocation of ₹30 crore to assist state and central agencies in preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for nearly 200 future projects.
  • Employment Generation: Projected to create 51 lakh person-days of employment during the construction phase, besides long-term operational roles.

Small Hydro vs. Large Hydro

• In India, hydroelectric projects with a station capacity up to 25 MW are categorized as Small Hydro Power and fall under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Projects above 25 MW are classified as Large Hydro and are managed by the Ministry of Power.

Sources

• thehindubusinessline
• economictimes
• financialexpress