Varanasi: After mango, fresh green vegetables and other agricultural products, now Purvanchals potatoes are Gulf-bound. The first ever consignment of potatoes grown by the farmers of the region took off for Gulf countries from Varanasis Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport on Friday.The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Friday jointly celebrated this first-ever achievement of 100 MT export of agricultural exports from LBSI Airport in a month.APEDA estimates setting of new benchmarks in perishable goods export from this airport by the end of current financial year as it handled 598 MT of perishable cargo till November end, while in 2022-23 financial year, only 561 MT of perishable cargo was handled. On November 16, the first consignment of 400 kg of marigold flowers from east UP had been flown to the markets in the Gulf region. Farm Producer Organisers (FPOs) promoted in the region had started exporting green chilies and other fresh vegetables, Banarasi Langda mangoes, banana plant products and other things to the foreign shores in this fiscal.We also published the following articles recentlyKarnataka IT exports jump 27% to Rs 3.2 lakh crore, contributes 42% to Indias IT exportsKarnatakas IT exports grew 27% to Rs 3.2 lakh crore in 2022-23, accounting for 42% of Indias IT exports. The Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2023 showcased tech leaders, startups, and investors from over 30 countries. Karnataka is home to 14,000 startups and 40 unicorns, solidifying its position as a global innovation hub. Bengaluru ranks 8th in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index. Karnataka is also the preferred destination for global capability centres (GCCs), hosting 40% of GCCs in India. The state has added approximately 20 new GCCs every year from 2000 to 2022. Karnataka is home to over 5,500 IT/ITeS companies, 750 MNCs, and has significant shares in electronics design, machine tools manufacturing, aerospace & defense manufacturing, and biotechnology exports. The state government has set up a Skill Advisory Committee for emerging technologies to bridge skill gaps. Karnataka deputy chief minister seeks private sector participation and support from foundations to equip rural education centers with emerging tech skills.Bengalurus first-ever Kambala ends on a grand noteThe city hosted Tulunadus historic buffalo sport Kambala at Palace Grounds. Over five lakhs witnessed the two-day mega affair. 160 pairs of buffaloes competed in the race. The event also featured puppets representing Tulunadu culture, a museum showcasing the regions lifestyle and coastal food, and musical performances by Arjun Janya, Shamita Malnad, Indu Nagaraj, and Gurukiran, as well as the traditional Huli Vesha (tiger dance).Agricultural conversion, afforestation degrading grassy vegetation & its biodiversity, study findsA collaborative study conducted in Maharashtra, including Pune, highlights the need for immediate attention to the fast-shrinking old-growth savannas, home to rich endemic herbs. The study shows that tillage agriculture and afforestation are threatening tropical savanna plant communities. Plantations reduce native plant diversity, and native species do not recolonize fallow land. Restoration policies should move away from tree plantation as the sole solution. This study brings a change of perspective to nature conservation and biodiversity, emphasizing the importance of other rich ecosystems.

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