New Ag Secretary must tackle climate challenges for U.S. farms. | (जैसे-जैसे अमेरिकी खेतों को अधिक सूखे, तूफान और बाढ़ का सामना करना पड़ता है, नए कृषि सचिव को जलवायु परिवर्तन पर ध्यान देना होगा )

Main Points In Hindi (मुख्य बातें – हिंदी में)

यहां दिए गए पाठ के मुख्य बिंदुओं का सारांश प्रस्तुत है:

1. ब्रुक रॉलिन्स का कृषि नीति पर अस्पष्ट रुख: ब्रुक रॉलिन्स की कृषि नीति का रुख स्पष्ट नहीं है, जबकि वह जीवाश्म ईंधन और जलवायु परिवर्तन पर स्पष्ट विचार रखते हैं।

2. रॉलिन्स का USDA में नामांकन: राष्ट्रपति डोनाल्ड ट्रम्प ने ब्रुक रॉलिन्स को अमेरिका के कृषि विभाग (USDA) का नेतृत्व करने के लिए नामित किया, जो कुछ कृषि पर्यवेक्षकों के लिए हैरानी का विषय था।

3. रॉलिन्स का कृषि पृष्ठभूमि: रॉलिन्स के पास कृषि विकास की डिग्री है और वे टेक्सास में एक फार्म पर बड़े हुए हैं, लेकिन उनके पास कृषि नीति में सीमित पेशेवर अनुभव है।

4. जलवायु परिवर्तन के प्रति किसानों की जागरूकता: जलवायु परिवर्तन के मुद्दे के प्रति अमेरिकी किसानों की जागरूकता बढ़ रही है, और वे जलवायु-स्मार्ट कृषि प्रथाओं को अपनाने के लिए प्रोत्साहित हो रहे हैं।

5. USDA के लिए भविष्य की चुनौतियाँ: रॉलिन्स के आने से USDA की नीति पर बड़ा प्रभाव पड़ सकता है, जबकि पर्यावरणीय मुद्दों और जलवायु परिवर्तन के खिलाफ रुख अभी भी अस्पष्ट है।

Main Points In English(मुख्य बातें – अंग्रेज़ी में)

Here are the main points from the text regarding Brook Rollins and the agricultural policy context:

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1. Nomination and Background: Brook Rollins has been nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), despite having little professional experience in agricultural policy. Rollins has a background in law and a degree in agricultural development and has been a loyal supporter of Trump.

2. Ambiguity in Agricultural Policy: While Rollins has a clear stance against fossil fuel regulations and climate change initiatives, her position on agricultural policy remains unclear. Observers note her limited recognition within the agricultural community, raising questions about her approach to evolving farm and climate policies.

3. Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture: Increased extreme weather events have significantly affected U.S. farmers, stressing the USDA’s need for disaster relief. There is a growing awareness among farmers regarding climate risks, and funding for climate-smart agricultural practices under the Biden administration has benefitted many in the agricultural sector.

4. Agricultural Lobby Dynamics: The American Farm Bureau Federation has shifted its stance on climate change, previously denying scientific consensus but now endorsing funding for climate-related programs, indicating a change in negotiation dynamics in U.S. agricultural policy.

5. Future Challenges and Responsibilities: The agricultural sector is confronting escalating climate-related challenges, including drought and funding for crop insurance. Rollins’ potential influence on USDA policies will be scrutinized, particularly in addressing the adverse effects of climate change on farming practices and farmer livelihoods.

Complete News In Hindi(पूरी खबर – हिंदी में)

Complete News In English(पूरी खबर – अंग्रेज़ी में)

Here’s a simplified version of the text:

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Brook Rollins’ stance on agricultural policy isn’t very clear, but his views on fossil fuels and climate change are well defined.

After weeks of speculation, President Donald Trump announced Rollins as his choice to lead the large U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Rollins wasn’t on the list of candidates that many expected due to his lack of experience in agricultural policy, which includes overseeing nutrition programs, agricultural subsidies, and conservation measures. As part of the Biden administration, the USDA has expanded programs to address climate change, which significantly impact U.S. farms.

Though Rollins has a degree in agricultural development and grew up on a farm in Texas, he has little professional experience in agriculture. Ferd Hoefner, former policy director for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, noted that “he’s an unknown in agricultural circles.”

His nomination surprised many in the agricultural industry who had expected other candidates. Karen Perry Stillerman from the Union of Concerned Scientists remarked that Rollins might have been the last pick in the box of options, suggesting that Trump was doling out cabinet positions like candy.

Rollins has been a loyal supporter of Trump for years, having held various positions in the Trump administration. He has publicly supported withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and praised efforts to repeal Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which aimed to reduce climate-changing emissions. He also hosted a conference in 2018 where he questioned the validity of research on CO2 as a pollutant.

However, it’s unclear how his views against climate action will translate into agricultural policy. U.S. farms have faced severe weather events that have led the USDA to provide billions in disaster relief and insurance payouts. Perry Stillerman noted that many farmers are now aware of the dangers of climate change, and investments in agriculture and conservation programs have given them the means to adapt.

During Trump’s first term, the powerful American Farm Bureau Federation changed its stance on climate change as funding for climate-related programs reached farmers. So far, farmers have received almost $7 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act for adopting “climate-smart” practices, with more funds expected, although negotiations on a new Farm Bill are stalled.

The USDA is also investing $3 billion in climate-focused agricultural practices through partnerships. Rebecca Riley from the Natural Resources Defense Council remarked that whatever happens with the Farm Bill, the USDA still allocates billions each year, and Rollins will have significant influence on that.

“Farmers are on the front lines of the climate crisis,” Riley said, emphasizing the difficulty of denying the impact of climate change on those who rely on agricultural support.

Rollins is the founder and current head of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), established by wealthy Texans loyal to Trump in 2020. The group’s agenda includes preventing foreign countries from acquiring U.S. agricultural land, particularly criticizing China’s land purchases as a “threat to America.” However, the AFPI does not address broader agricultural issues, unlike Trump’s Project 2025 blueprint, which proposes cuts to conservation reserve programs and limits on crop insurance subsidies.

Perry Stillerman pointed out that there are no agriculture experts listed in the AFPI’s agenda, indicating a narrow focus. Rollins also served as the president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, known for opposing renewable energy initiatives.

The fossil fuel and ethanol industries have long criticized the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires a certain amount of ethanol, primarily made from corn, to be mixed into the nation’s fuel supply. Although the RFS aimed to support a clean domestic alternative to fossil fuels, research has raised questions regarding its greenhouse gas benefits.

Hoefner indicated that it remains to be seen where this administration will stand between powerful oil, gas, and ethanol lobbyists, suggesting that if past behavior is any indication, they might favor fossil fuels over renewable initiatives.

Agricultural advocacy groups are currently examining Rollins’ record and preparing for Senate confirmation hearings. Perry Stillerman expressed concern about the lack of knowledge regarding the questions that should be raised. Her team plans to closely monitor the agency to see if Rollins or any other Trump nominee will direct the USDA to follow the same paths as during Trump’s first term, including the removal of climate change references from USDA reports and data.

Regardless of personnel changes, the impacts of climate change on U.S. farms continue to grow. Ben Lilliston from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy noted that nearly all 49 states are currently experiencing droughts, leading to increased crop insurance claims and disaster payments.

“Climate risks are rising,” he said, questioning how Rollins will address the climate challenges facing farmers.

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This summary captures the main points and presents the information in simpler English.



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