On August 23, 2023, India marked a historic achievement with the successful launch of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission, including the Vikram Lander’s soft landing and the Pragyaan Rover’s deployment on the Moon. To honor this milestone, the Government of India has declared August 23 as National Space Day (NSpD) every year. This achievement places India among the elite space-faring nations, being the fourth to land on the Moon’s surface and the first to do so near its south pole.
National Space Day Celebrations
To celebrate National Space Day and promote space science among the youth, the Department of Space is organizing nationwide events throughout August 2024. The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga.”
Launch of Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS)
On this significant occasion, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare hosted a conference highlighting the role of space technology in advancing India’s agricultural sector. The conference featured the launch of Krishi-DSS, a pioneering digital geo-spatial platform introduced by Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, and Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi.
Features of Krishi-DSS
1. Comprehensive Data Access
- Provides access to satellite images, weather data, reservoir storage, groundwater levels, and soil health information.
2. Advanced Modules
- Crop Mapping and Monitoring: Analyzes crop patterns and promotes sustainable agriculture.
- Drought Monitoring: Offers near real-time data on soil moisture, water storage, and crop conditions.
- Crop Weather Watch: Monitors the impact of weather on crops and harvest status.
- Field Parcel Segmentation: Identifies unique needs of each field parcel.
- One Nation-One Soil Information System: Provides detailed soil data for crop suitability and land capability assessments.
- Ground Truth Data Library: Supplies essential resources for research and industry.
3. Holistic Solutions
- Integrates data for farmer-centric solutions such as personalized advisories and early disaster warnings.
Conference Highlights
1. Space Technology in Agriculture
- Showcased advancements in satellite remote sensing, geo-spatial technology, and their applications in agriculture.
2. Krishi-DSS Unveiling
- Introduced as a powerful tool for real-time data-driven insights on weather, soil conditions, and crop health.
3. Public-Private Partnerships
- Emphasized the importance of collaboration among government, private sector, and academia.
4. Farmer-Centric Approach
- Focused on creating user-friendly solutions and capacity-building programs for grassroots impact.
Future Commitments
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare is dedicated to leveraging space technology for crop production forecasting, drought monitoring, crop health assessment, and crop insurance solutions. The goal is to continue improving Indian agriculture through collaborative efforts with all stakeholders.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. What is celebrated on August 23 each year in India?
- A) National Science Day
- B) National Space Day
- C) National Technology Day
- D) National Innovation Day
- Answer: B) National Space Day
2. Which mission’s success led to the declaration of National Space Day in India?
- A) Chandrayaan-2
- B) Mars Orbiter Mission
- C) Chandrayaan-3
- D) Gaganyaan Mission
- Answer: C) Chandrayaan-3
3. What is the theme of National Space Day celebrations in August 2024?
- A) Exploring the Cosmos
- B) India’s Space Odyssey
- C) Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga
- D) The Future of Space Exploration
- Answer: C) Touching Lives While Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga
4. What is the purpose of the Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS)?
- A) To forecast weather patterns
- B) To provide data for agricultural management
- C) To monitor space missions
- D) To track satellite launches
- Answer: B) To provide data for agricultural management
5. Which module of Krishi-DSS helps in understanding crop rotation practices?
- A) Crop Weather Watch
- B) Drought Monitoring
- C) Crop Mapping and Monitoring
- D) Field Parcel Segmentation
- Answer: C) Crop Mapping and Monitoring
6. What does the One Nation-One Soil Information System in Krishi-DSS provide?
- A) Crop prices
- B) Soil type, pH, and health
- C) Weather forecasts
- D) Satellite imagery
- Answer: B) Soil type, pH, and health