Boost to National Waterway-2 on the Brahmaputra

Introduction

  • Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated three key inland waterways projects on National Waterway-2 along the Brahmaputra in Dibrugarh, Assam.
  • The initiative advances a balanced approach of development and heritage preservation under the banner of “Vikas and Virasat.”

Why in news?

  • Launch of the Bogibeel Customs and Immigration Complex, the Dhubri Customs and Immigration Complex, and the renovated IWAI Heritage Building.
  • The projects aim to strengthen trade, logistics, tourism, and cross-border connectivity in the Northeast.

Background

  • National Waterway-2 runs along the Brahmaputra River and is considered a crucial economic corridor for Assam and neighbouring states.
  • The government is focusing on inland waterways as a cost-effective transport mode under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Significance

  • Improves logistics efficiency and unlocks economic opportunities in the Northeast.
  • Enhances cross-border connectivity and positions the region for greater regional and international trade.
  • Bogibeel Customs and Immigration Complex: A tourist-cum-cargo terminal integrating key functions to raise cargo handling capacity and streamline commerce and passenger movement on NW-2.
  • Dhubri Customs and Immigration Complex: Strengthens regulatory oversight to boost export–import activities and establish Dhubri as a key inland trade gateway.
  • IWAI Heritage Building, Dibrugarh: Preserves architectural legacy while supporting IWAI operations and promoting riverine tourism, exemplifying the “Vikas and Virasat” model.

Facts/General knowledge

  • Sarbananda Sonowal serves as Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
  • Bogibeel Customs and Immigration Complex includes arrival and departure halls, cargo storage, staff facilities, and security systems.
  • The Bogibeel project is designed to facilitate smoother trade under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.
  • Dhubri is strategically located near Bangladesh and Bhutan, supporting expanded inland waterways connectivity.

Aghanashini River and Aghanashini–Vedavathi River Link Project

Introduction

  • Focuses on the Aghanashini River in Karnataka and the proposed Aghanashini–Vedavathi river-linking project.
  • Highlights a proposed inter-basin water transfer intended to address regional water needs.

Why in news?

  • UNESCO has advised the Government of India to strictly follow World Heritage Convention conservation guidelines for the proposed Aghanashini–Vedavathi river-linking project.

Background

  • The project is announced as part of the National Perspective Plan for inter-basin water transfer.
  • It seeks to divert surplus water from the Aghanashini River in Uttara Kannada district to the arid Chitradurga basin through a network of pipelines and canals.

Significance

  • The Aghanashini Estuary is a highly productive estuarine ecosystem and has been designated as a Ramsar Site.
  • The project prioritises drought mitigation, agricultural enhancement, and drinking water supply in water-scarce regions.
  • Environmental concerns have been raised regarding potential ecological impacts on the Western Ghats.

Facts/General knowledge

  • Location: A west-flowing river in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka.
  • Origin: Gadihalli (Sirsi) at an altitude of 676 m in the Western Ghats of Karnataka.
  • Course: Flows for nearly 117 km before joining the Arabian Sea at Tadri, Karnataka.
  • Catchment area: 1,449 sq km across Uttara Kannada and Shimoga (Sorba) districts.
  • Tributaries: Bakurhole, Donihalla, Chandika hole, Masti mane halla, Benne holé, Badala, Divalli, Santeguli, Hulidevara kodalu, etc.
  • Waterfalls formed: Burude falls, Dabbe falls, Waate halla, Benne hole falls, Unchalli falls.
  • Estuary formation: The Aghanashini Estuary forms where the river meets the Arabian Sea in Karnataka.

International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026

Introduction

  • Women are increasingly central to agriculture as rural men move to non-farm jobs, with women replacing them in farm roles.
  • This ongoing shift is part of the wider feminisation of agriculture.

Why in news?

  • The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026).

Background

  • Employment in agriculture surged by 135% in a decade under the rise in women’s participation.
  • Women now account for 42% of the agricultural workforce, and two in three working women are engaged in agriculture.
  • This still remains lower than the rest of the world, where women’s work participation was in the range 57%–63% in a majority of countries.
  • In 2023–24, at least 117.6 million women worked in agriculture (21.7 million hired workers, 95.1 million self-employed, 0.8 million regular workers); the estimated male agricultural workforce was 127.5 million.
  • Greater participation has not translated into higher income for the economy, as agriculture’s share of national GVA fell from 15.3% in 2017–18 to 14.4% in 2024–25.

Significance

  • The feminisation of agriculture has, in a way, reinforced inequities rather than enabling women’s economic empowerment.
  • High-value segments such as tea, spices, millets, and certified organic produce, supported by Geographical Indications, branding, and export standards, can move producers towards premium, value-added markets.
  • Digital innovations can bridge gaps by connecting women to markets, knowledge systems, and financial services, formalising labour, and improving access to schemes, credit, and fair pricing.
  • A range of government initiatives targets sustainable agriculture, land titles, credit, collective institutions, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, welfare, and export facilitation for women farmers.

Facts/General knowledge

  • Unpaid labour: Nearly half of women in agriculture are unpaid family workers.
  • Their numbers rose 2.5 times from 23.6 million to 59.1 million in eight years.
  • In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, more than 80% of women workers are in agriculture, and over half receive no wages.
  • Systemic inequities: Women own only 13%–14% of land holdings.
  • They earn 20%–30% less than men for equivalent work.
  • Asset ownership, decision-making power, and access to credit and government support remain male-dominated.
  • Digital divide: Barriers in digital literacy, language, and affordability of devices limit participation in modern agri-markets.
  • Emerging opportunities: India’s value chains for tea, spices, millets, and certified organic produce are poised for expansion.
  • Geographical Indications, branding initiatives, and support for meeting export standards can shift producers from subsistence to premium, value-added markets.
  • Digital solutions: Platforms such as e-NAM, mobile-based advisory services, voice-assisted applications, and precision agriculture tools connect women to markets, knowledge systems, and financial services.
  • These solutions help formalise women’s labour while expanding access to schemes, credit, and fair pricing.
  • Government initiatives: Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) under NRLM for sustainable agriculture, livestock, and NTFP.
  • Joint land titles (land pattas) in the names of husband and wife.
  • Priority Sector Lending for women farmers.
  • Rural women SHGs and FPOs supported through NABARD and DAY-NRLM.
  • Agri-Clinics & Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) with special provisions for women agri-entrepreneurs.
  • Digital literacy initiatives such as Digital Sakhi and the BHASHINI platform for multilingual access to agri-services.
  • Maternity benefits and health schemes.
  • Support for women FPOs under the 10,000 FPOs Scheme (2020).
  • GI tags, branding, and export facilitation for spices, tea, millets, and organic produce.

WEF leadership transition (2026)

Introduction

  • The World Economic Forum (WEF) announced a leadership change on 28 February 2026, with Børge Brende resigning and Alois Zwinggi appointed as Interim CEO.
  • The transition is designed to maintain continuity in the Forum’s operations and its global stakeholder capitalism agenda.

Why in news?

  • Børge Brende stepped down after an eight-year tenure as President and CEO, having served since 2017.
  • Alois Zwinggi, previously Managing Director and Head of Corporate Affairs at the WEF, will lead the organisation during the transition period as Interim CEO.

Background

  • Børge Brende is a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway and led the Forum through the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical realignments from 2017 to 2026.
  • Alois Zwinggi’s senior roles at the Forum, including Managing Director and Head of Corporate Affairs, position him to manage the transition effectively.

Significance

  • Zwinggi’s appointment aims to ensure stability and continuity in the Forum’s activities.
  • It reinforces the Forum’s commitment to advancing its global stakeholder capitalism agenda.

Facts/General knowledge

  • World Economic Forum: Established 1971; Founder: Klaus Schwab; Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland; Annual Meeting: Davos, Switzerland.
  • Stakeholder capitalism: A system in which corporations serve the interests of all stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, and local communities.
  • Great Reset: A WEF proposal to rebuild the economy sustainably following the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Interim CEO: A temporary leader appointed to manage an organisation’s operations until a permanent successor is selected.