FOOD SECURITY

Context: The G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting, which was held in Hyderabad from June 15 to 17, 2023, concluded with the adoption of an Outcome Document and a Chair's Summary that highlighted the importance of food security and nutrition for all.

Details

• The Outcome Document endorsed the Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition 2023 and the International Millets and Other Ancient Grains Research Initiative (IMAGRI), which were proposed by India as part of its G20 presidency.
  • IMAGRI aimed to promote research and innovation on millets and other ancient grains, which are climate-resilient, nutritious and have multiple uses.
• The Deccan High-Level Principles demonstrated the G20's collective responsibility in reinforcing and complementing efforts across geographies in response to global food security crises by facilitating humanitarian assistance to countries and populations in vulnerable situations, enhancing availability and access to nutritious food.

Outcome Document

• The Outcome Document also called for strengthening policies and collaborative actions for climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems.
• It emphasized the need to adopt climate-smart agriculture practices, such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, organic farming, integrated pest management, etc., to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance soil health and biodiversity, and improve water use efficiency.
• It recognized the role of women as key actors in agriculture and food systems and stressed the need to empower them with access to resources, markets, technologies and decision-making.

Food Security In India

About

• Food security is essential for human well-being, health and development. It means that people have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life.
• India is home to more than 1.3 billion people, of which about 190 million are undernourished, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• India also faces a double burden of malnutrition, with high rates of both undernutrition and overweight/obesity among different segments of the population. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2020;
  • More than 35% of children under five years are stunted (low height for age)
  • More than 19% are wasted (low weight for height).
  • About 32% are underweight (low weight for age).
  • About 21% of adults are overweight or obese, and 10% have diabetes.
• According to the 2022 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 107th out of 121 countries. The GHI has assigned India a score of 29.1 and considers the level of hunger in India “serious” on a scale where a score of 50 is considered “extremely serious” hunger.
• The causes of food insecurity in India are complex and interrelated, involving factors such as poverty, inequality, gender discrimination, lack of education, poor sanitation and hygiene, climate change, natural disasters, conflicts, pests and diseases, and inadequate policies and programs.

Challenges in ensuring food security for all are:

Low agricultural productivity and diversification

• India's agricultural sector is dominated by small and marginal farmers who face multiple constraints such as low yields, high input costs, lack of irrigation, market access and credit facilities, and vulnerability to weather shocks and price fluctuations.
• There is a need to diversify agricultural production from cereals to more nutritious crops such as fruits, vegetables, pulses and livestock products.

High food loss and waste

• India loses about 40% of its food production due to poor post-harvest management, storage, transportation and processing facilities. This not only reduces the availability of food for consumption but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.

Inadequate food safety and quality

• India faces a serious challenge of ensuring food safety and quality throughout the food chain, from farm to fork. There are issues of adulteration, contamination, pesticide residues, microbial infections and aflatoxins that affect the health and nutrition of consumers.

Low dietary diversity and awareness

• India's food consumption pattern is largely cereal-based, with a low intake of fruits, vegetables, pulses, milk, eggs, meat and fish. This leads to micronutrient deficiencies such as iron, iodine, vitamin A and zinc among various groups of the population.
• There is a lack of awareness and knowledge among consumers about the importance of a balanced diet, hygiene practices and nutrition-related diseases.

Weak public distribution system (PDS) and social safety nets

• India has one of the largest PDS in the world that provides subsidized food grains to about 800 million people. However, the PDS suffers from leakages, corruption, inefficiency and exclusion errors that limit its effectiveness in reaching the poor and vulnerable sections of society.
• Other social safety net programs such as mid-day meals, integrated child development services (ICDS), public health services and cash transfers need to be strengthened and integrated to ensure better coverage, quality and impact on food security and nutrition outcomes.

The Government of India has taken several steps to address the challenges of food security and nutrition for all in the country.

Some of the key initiatives are:

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

• The NFSA aims to provide legal entitlement to subsidized food grains to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population through the PDS.
• It also covers pregnant women, lactating mothers and children less than six years under the ICDS and mid-day meal schemes.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

• The PM-KISAN scheme provides income support of Rs. 6000 per year to small and marginal farmers in three equal installments.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

• The PMFBY provides crop insurance to farmers against losses due to natural calamities, pests and diseases.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

• The PMKSY aims to enhance irrigation coverage and water use efficiency in agriculture through various components such as micro-irrigation, watershed development and command area development.

National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

• The NMSA promotes sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture through various interventions such as soil health management, rainfed area development, organic farming and agroforestry.

National Nutrition Mission (NNM) or POSHAN Abhiyaan

• The NNM aims to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anaemia and low birth weight among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers by converging various schemes and programs related to health, education, sanitation, water and women empowerment.

National Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• The FSSAI is the apex body responsible for regulating and ensuring food safety and quality in India. It sets standards, enforces compliance, conducts surveillance and provides guidance and awareness to stakeholders and consumers.

The way forward for achieving food security and nutrition for all in India requires a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approach that involves the government, private sector, civil society, academia, media and international organizations.

Some of the possible actions are:

• Enhancing agricultural productivity and diversification through research and development, extension services, input subsidies, market linkages and value addition.
• Reducing food loss and waste through improved post-harvest management, storage, transportation and processing facilities, and promoting circular economy and behavioural change among producers and consumers.
• Improving food safety and quality through strengthening the regulatory framework, monitoring and surveillance systems, capacity building and awareness generation among stakeholders and consumers.
• Increasing dietary diversity and awareness through promoting the production and consumption of nutritious crops and foods, fortification of staple foods, supplementation of micronutrients, behaviour change communication and nutrition education.
• Strengthening public distribution system and social safety nets through improving targeting, delivery, accountability and transparency mechanisms, leveraging technology and innovation, and enhancing convergence and coordination among various schemes and programs.
• Addressing the underlying determinants of food security and nutrition such as poverty, inequality, gender discrimination, lack of education, poor sanitation and hygiene, climate change, natural disasters, conflicts, pests and diseases through holistic policies and programs that ensure inclusive growth, social justice, environmental sustainability and resilience.

Conclusion

• India needs to adopt a holistic and multi-sectoral approach to address the issue of food security and nutrition for all. This involves enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience, improving food storage and distribution systems, promoting dietary diversity and quality, strengthening social protection and safety nets, empowering women and marginalized groups, investing in health and education, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders. By doing so, India can achieve its goal of ending hunger and malnutrition by 2030, as envisioned by the Sustainable Development Goals.

https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=G20-Agriculture-Ministers-Meeting-adopts-Outcome-Document-and-Chair%e2%80%99s-Summary-focussing-on-food-security-and-Nutrition-for-all&id=462726

NEWS IN SHORT

SILICA REDUCTION PLANT

Context: The Silica Reduction Plant at Bhilai Steel Plant's Dalli Mines was inaugurated by the Minister of Steel and Civil Aviation, through a virtual event from New Delhi.

Details

• The plant is a part of the efforts to improve the quality and quantity of iron ore extracted from the mines of the SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant, which has been operating for more than six decades.
• The plant will reduce the silica content in the iron ore fines of less than one mm in size, which are essential for blast furnace operations. The plant will enhance the iron ore supply to Bhilai Steel Plant, which produces high-grade steel products.

Silica

About

• Silica is a common mineral that is found in many rocks and soils.
• It is a major component of sand and glass.
• It can be beneficial for some industrial applications, such as making silicon chips and solar panels.
• It can pose a serious health risk when it is inhaled as fine dust particles. Exposure to silica dust can cause silicosis, a lung disease that leads to scarring and inflammation of the lung tissue. Silicosis can impair breathing and increase the risk of lung infections and cancer.

To prevent silica exposure and its harmful effects, many industries have adopted measures to reduce the amount of silica dust in the air. One of these measures is the use of silica reduction plants.

Silica Reduction Plant

• A silica reduction plant is a facility that processes raw materials containing silica, such as sand or quartz and removes most of the silica content before sending the materials to other plants for further processing.
• The plant uses various methods to separate the silica from the other minerals, such as crushing, grinding, washing, screening, magnetic separation, flotation, leaching and filtration.

Significances 

• It reduces the environmental impact of silica mining and processing by minimizing the amount of dust and waste generated.
• It improves the quality and efficiency of downstream processes by providing materials with lower silica content and higher purity.
• It protects the health and safety of workers and communities by preventing exposure to silica dust and its associated diseases.
• It creates economic benefits by saving costs on energy, water, transportation and maintenance.

Challenges

• It requires a large capital investment and operating cost to build and run.
• It consumes a lot of energy and water to process the raw materials and separate the silica.
• It produces a large amount of high-silica waste that needs to be disposed of or recycled safely and responsibly.
• It faces technical difficulties in achieving optimal separation efficiency and product quality due to variations in raw material characteristics and plant performance.

Conclusion

• Silica reduction plants can help steel producers to extend the range of their products, improve their operational efficiency and profitability, and contribute to the national goal of carbon neutrality.

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HEATWAVE

Context: The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister urged the State governments to implement the State Action Plans at the ground level to reduce the severe impact of heat waves.

Details

• The State Action Plans outline the strategies and actions that the state governments take to reduce the impact of natural and man-made hazards.
• The State Action Plans have three main elements:
  • Timely warnings to the people
  • Preventive preparedness measures
  • Emergency response management

Heatwave 

About

• Heatwaves are periods of abnormally high temperatures that last for several days and can have severe impacts on human health, agriculture, water resources and infrastructure.
• In India, Heatwaves typically occur from March to June and sometimes extend till July. They are caused by a combination of factors such as high-pressure systems, dry winds, clear skies and low humidity.
• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a heatwave as a condition when the maximum temperature is 5°C or more above the normal for two consecutive days. A severe heatwave is when the maximum temperature is 7°C or more above the normal.
• Heatwaves have serious impacts on human health, agriculture, water resources, energy demand and biodiversity.

Some of the effects of heatwaves are:

Heat stress

• Heat stress is a condition that occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature and cool itself down.
• Heat stress can cause dehydration, exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rash, heat stroke and even death.

Heat-related illnesses

• Heat-related illnesses are diseases that are caused or aggravated by exposure to high temperatures.
• Some of the common heat-related illnesses are cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, kidney diseases, diabetes and mental disorders.

Crop losses

• High temperatures can affect the growth and yield of crops by reducing photosynthesis, increasing water loss, damaging pollination and causing pest infestations.
• According to a study by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, heat waves can reduce wheat production by up to 8% in India.

Water scarcity

• Water scarcity is a situation where the water demand exceeds the available supply. Heatwaves can increase water scarcity by increasing evaporation, reducing rainfall, melting glaciers and snowpacks and lowering groundwater levels.

Energy crisis

• An energy crisis is a situation where the energy demand exceeds the available supply. Heatwaves can increase energy demand by increasing the use of air conditioners, fans and refrigerators.
• Heatwaves can reduce energy supply by affecting the efficiency and output of thermal power plants, hydroelectric power plants and solar power plants.

Biodiversity loss

• Biodiversity loss is a reduction in the variety and abundance of living organisms in an ecosystem. Heatwaves can affect biodiversity by altering habitats, disrupting food chains, increasing mortality rates and causing extinctions.

Some possible ways forward

Implementing heat action plans at local and national levels

• These plans can include issuing timely heat alerts, providing cooling shelters, ensuring access to drinking water and healthcare, promoting public awareness and education, and reducing heat exposure for outdoor workers.

Enhancing urban resilience and green infrastructure

• Urban areas tend to be hotter than rural areas due to the urban heat island effect, which is caused by the absorption and emission of heat by buildings, roads and other surfaces. To mitigate this effect, urban planners can increase green spaces, plant trees, use reflective materials, promote natural ventilation and adopt passive cooling techniques.

Improving climate data and forecasting

• Reliable and accurate data on temperature, humidity, wind speed and other climatic variables can help monitor and predict heat waves and their impacts. This can enable early warning systems, risk assessment and adaptation planning. India needs to invest more in its weather observation network, climate modeling capacity and data dissemination platforms.

Promoting low-carbon development and mitigation actions

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to limit global warming and prevent more severe heat waves in the future. India can pursue a low-carbon development path by increasing its share of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, adopting cleaner transport modes and enhancing carbon sinks.

Strengthening regional and international cooperation

• Heatwaves are a transboundary phenomenon that requires coordinated action across countries and regions. India can collaborate with its neighbours and other partners to share best practices, exchange information, mobilize resources and support joint research on heatwave adaptation and mitigation.

Conclusion

• Heatwaves are a serious challenge for India, but they are not inevitable. By taking proactive and comprehensive measures, India can reduce its exposure and sensitivity to heat stress, enhance its adaptive capacity and resilience, and protect its people and economy from the adverse effects of extreme heat.

https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=Health-Minister-Dr.-Mansukh-Mandaviya-reviews-heatwave-preparedness-with-affected-states%2c-urges-them-to-implement-State-Action-Plans-on-ground-level&id=462926

NANO UREA

Context:  The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has started exporting the world’s first Nano urea invented and manufactured indigenously in India to the US.

Details

• The Nano urea is a liquid formulation of urea nanoparticles that can be sprayed on the leaves of crops. It has several advantages over the conventional granular urea that is widely used by farmers.

 Nano Urea

• Urea is a widely used fertilizer that provides nitrogen to plants and enhances their growth and yield. However, conventional urea has some drawbacks, such as low efficiency, high leaching losses, and environmental pollution and health hazards.
  • To overcome these problems, scientists have developed nano urea, a novel form of urea that has a smaller particle size and higher surface area than conventional urea.
• Nano urea is produced by coating urea granules with nanomaterials such as silica, zeolite, clay or polymers. The coating reduces the solubility and diffusion rate of urea in soil and water, thus increasing its availability and uptake by plants.
• Nano urea also reduces the volatilization and denitrification losses of nitrogen, thus minimizing the greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate contamination of groundwater.

Nano urea has several advantages over conventional urea

• It improves the nutrient use efficiency and reduces the fertilizer requirement by 50%.
• It enhances crop growth, biomass and yield by 10-30%.
• It improves soil health and fertility by increasing the organic matter and microbial activity.
• It reduces the cost of cultivation and increases the income of farmers.
• It mitigates the environmental impacts of fertilizer use and contributes to sustainable agriculture.

Nano urea also faces some challenges, such as:

• It requires advanced technology and equipment for production and quality control.
• It has a high initial cost and limited availability in the market.
• It lacks adequate research data and regulatory guidelines for its safety and efficacy.
• It may have unknown effects on human health and ecosystems due to its nano size and properties.

Conclusion

• There is a need for more research and development on nano urea to address these challenges and to explore its potential benefits for various crops and agro-climatic conditions. There is a need for creating awareness and capacity building among farmers, extension workers, policymakers and consumers about nano urea and its proper use. Nano urea is a promising innovation that can revolutionize the fertilizer industry and agriculture sector soon.

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ENERGY LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Context: The Union Power Minister highlighted the country's achievements and vision in the energy sector at the Energy Leadership Summit and Awards event in Delhi on June 20, 2023.

Details

• The Minister highlighted the country's achievements and vision in the energy sector, especially in the areas of renewable energy, power surplus and carbon credit trading.
• He also appreciated the efforts of the state governments and the private sector in partnering with the central government to achieve the goals of energy security and sustainability.

Highlights of the Power Minister speech

• India has been working tirelessly on energy access, energy efficiency, energy sustainability and energy security, the four pillars of India's future in the energy sector.
• India has added a total power generation capacity of over 184 GigaWatt since 2014 and the total installed capacity is 417 GigaWatt as of now.
• India has emerged as the fastest-growing renewable energy destination in the world and 42% of the country's energy capacity is from non-fossil fuels.
  • India has committed to take this to 50% by 2030, but it will achieve 65% of capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030. He said that India will add 50 GW of renewable energy capacity every year.

 Notable achievements of India in the energy sector are:

• India has achieved its target of having 40% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil energy sources by 2030 in November 2021. This includes renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro and biomass, as well as nuclear power.
• India has set a target of installing 450 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030, which would make it one of the largest renewable energy markets in the world.
• India has successfully electrified almost all its households, with around 700 million people gaining access to electricity between 2000 and 2018.
• The government has promoted clean cooking with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), providing more than 80 million LPG connections to poor households under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana scheme.

Energy Leadership Summit

• The Energy Leadership Summit is a platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing solutions, and forging partnerships for a sustainable future.
• The Summit was organised by ETEnergyworld.
• It covers various topics such as energy transition, renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, smart grids, and more.
• It features keynote speakers, panel discussions, debates, workshops, and exhibitions from leading energy companies and organizations.

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