Rubber Soil Information System (RubSIS)
23-Jan-2017: Rubber Soil Information System (RubSIS) for Rubber Growers
Commerce & Industry Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman launched Rubber Soil Information System (RubSIS), an online system for recommending application of appropriate mix of fertilizers to the specific plantations of rubber growers depending upon their soil nature.
RubSIS, developed by Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) under the Rubber Board in collaboration with three agencies viz Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Kerala, National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, ICAR and National Remote Sensing Center, ISRO, brings soil data to the fingerprints of rubber growers and recommends the optimum mix and quantities of chemical fertilizers that his holding requires. It is a cost effective tool for sustainable &scientific management of rubber growing soils. Apart from preventing indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and soil degradation, adoption of RubSIS will lead to reduction in the cost of production of rubber, increase in productivity and reduction in environmental pollution.
The scientific and user friendly online fertiliser recommendation system was launched today for Kottayam (Kerala), the largest rubber growing district of India which will be extended to the entire traditional rubber growing region i.e. the states of Kerala and Tamilnadu this year.
CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research)
17-Jan-2017: India becomes Associate member of CERN
India has officially become an Associate member of CERN with the Indian government completing its internal approval procedures in respect of the agreement it had signed with CERN on November 21, 2016.
An Agreement was signed in November 2016 to admit India to CERN as an Associate member. But India had to “notify CERN of its final approval for the Agreement to enter into force” and become an Associate member.
As an Associate member India will have full access to all data generated at CERN. As there are many experiments in CERN, there will be plenty of information available.
As an Associate member, India can participate in all experiments.
Also, whenever any CERN facilities get upgraded and go through maintenance, it will provide opportunities for Indian industries to participate. Indian industry will be entitled to bid for CERN contracts, which will allow it to work in areas of advanced technology.
Since Indian scientists will become eligible for staff appointments, it will also enhance the participation of young scientists and engineers in operation and maintenance of various CERN projects.