The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023

Syllabus: Issues related to poverty and hunger

In News

Recently, the “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023” report was unveiled, focusing on the theme of “Urbanisation, Agrifood Systems Transformation, and Healthy Diets Across the Rural-Urban Continuum.”

Key findings of the 2023 report

• Over 700 million people was facing hunger in the world in 2022
• ~2.4 billion individuals did not have consistent access to nutritious, safe, and sufficient food in 2022.
• Child Malnutrition: In 2021, 22.3% (148.1 million) children were stunted (too short for their age), 6.8% (45 million) were wasted (too thin for their height), and 5.6% (37 million) were overweight.
• As urbanisation accelerates, there is a noticeable increase in the consumption of processed and convenience foods, leading to a spike in overweight and obesity rates across urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
• Previously self-sustaining rural regions, especially in Africa and Asia, are now found to be increasingly dependent on national and global food markets.

Challenges:

Between 2021 and 2022, global hunger numbers have plateaued, but numerous regions around the world are grappling with deepening food crises. In 2022, consistent access to nutritious, safe, and sufficient food remained elusive for many, particularly women and residents of rural areas. Alarmingly, child malnutrition rates continue to remain high. Moreover, with projections indicating that 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities by 2050, the implications for food systems are significant.

Way ahead:

Given this substantial demographic shift towards urbanization, it is imperative to reorient our food systems to address the needs of the burgeoning urban populations and effectively tackle hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. A proposed policy approach involves strengthening intensification and productivity in farming near small and intermediate cities and towns (SICTs). By enhancing connectivity between farms and input and output markets, this strategy aims to reduce market access costs and empower farmers to utilize modern inputs.

A case study from India – The Role of Urban Proximity in Agricultural Intensification:

India’s example, with a focus on Bangalore and its surrounding regions, exemplifies the crucial role of SICTs in promoting the use of modern agricultural inputs in rural areas. Farmers located further away from Bangalore exhibit a higher adoption of modern inputs, attributed to the influence of the town of Doddaballapura, situated in Bangalore’s Rural district.

Conclusion:

To implement these solutions effectively, agrifood systems governance mechanisms and institutions must transcend sectoral and administrative boundaries and depend on cooperation with subnational and local governments. By fostering collaboration and coordination, we can pave the way for sustainable and inclusive food systems that address the challenges posed by urbanization and ensure food security for all.

About the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report

• It is an annual flagship report jointly prepared by the –
  • Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO),
  • International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),
  • United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF),
  • World Food Programme (WFP) and
  • World Health Organisation (WHO)
• The primary objective of the report is to provide insights into the advancements made in eradicating hunger, attaining food security, and enhancing nutrition. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive analysis of the significant hurdles that need to be overcome to accomplish these objectives within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The report caters to a diverse audience, including policymakers, international organizations, academic institutions, and the general public. Its aim is to disseminate valuable information and findings to all these stakeholders, empowering them to play an active role in addressing food-related challenges and working towards a sustainable and nourished world.

India-France Relationship

Syllabus: Bilateral Relations between India and major powers

In News

The Indian Prime Minister is set to grace France’s Bastille Day parade in Paris as the Guest of Honour, marking a significant occasion that aligns with the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnerships with France.

Significance of the PM’s visit to France:

• Increasing investment: The visit will help diversify France and European economic ties away from China.
• Boosting regional security: The visit will help boost India’s comprehensive national power and help India stabilize the balance of power in Asia.

Current analysis of India-France relations:

• Characteristics: The relationship between the two countries is characterized by strategic autonomy, independent foreign policies, and a shared vision of a multipolar world.
• Security objectives prominent: Unlike Indo-German relations, which are focused on trade, India and France prioritize security objectives.
• France’s role in diversifying arms suppliers: France has helped India diversify its pool of arms suppliers beyond Russia and the US, especially when sanctions were imposed on India in the past.
• Balancing China: The relationship aims to balance China’s influence in the Indian Ocean, and both countries share concerns about Chinese expansionism.
• Multi-dimensional partnership: The partnership between India and France has seen advancements through joint strategic visions, logistic support agreements, and military exercises in recent times.

Dimensions of India-France Relations

Historical and Diplomatic Relations:

• India and France have had trade and cultural exchanges dating back thousands of years. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1947 after India gained independence.

Strategic Dialogue and Defense Cooperation:

• France engaged in a Strategic Dialogue with India after India’s nuclear tests in 1998, showing understanding of India’s security concerns.
• France was the second-largest defense supplier for India from 2017 to 2021.
• Collaborative defense projects include the induction of French Scorpene submarines and Rafale fighter jets, as well as joint military exercises like Varuna, Garuda, and Shakti.

Economic and Trade Relations:

• Bilateral trade between India and France exceeded USD 12 billion in 2021-22.
• France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India.

Civil Nuclear Cooperation:

• India and France signed a civil nuclear pact in 2008, making France the first country with such an agreement after the USA.
• France supports India in building six EPR nuclear power reactors in Jaitpur, Maharashtra, and the two countries engage in joint research and development in nuclear energy.

Collaboration on Global Issues:

• France supports India’s bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
• India and France align on climate change, sustainable development, and counter-terrorism efforts.
• Joint initiatives like the International Solar Alliance strengthen their cooperation.

Indo-Pacific Cooperation:

• India, France, UAE Trilateral Initiative focuses on ensuring maritime domain awareness and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Indo-Pacific Trilateral Development Cooperation Fund, established in September 2022, enhances cooperation between India and France.

Space Research and Exploration:

• ISRO and CNES have a joint working group for enhanced space cooperation, including a planned Joint Mars Mission.
• Collaboration encompasses satellite launches, Earth observation missions, and space debris management, with a planned Joint Earth Observation Mission.

Educational and Cultural Exchanges:

• India and France have mutual recognition of academic degrees and hold the Knowledge Summit.
• The Indo-French Year of the Environment, launched in January 2021, strengthens cooperation on environmental issues.
• Initiatives on green hydrogen, blue economy, and environmental research foster cooperation between the two nations.

Challenges in the relationship

India and France lack a Free Trade Agreement, which hampers the potential for enhanced trade and economic cooperation. Additionally, there exists a trade imbalance with France exporting more to India. Moreover, France has expressed concerns multiple times regarding India’s stance at the WTO, Climate summit, and its protection of intellectual property rights.

Conclusion

While military cooperation remains significant, the Indo-French relationship has the opportunity to diversify beyond arms sales. Collaborative efforts such as the International Solar Alliance and exploring minilateral and multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific could add new dimensions to their partnership.

Mains Question

Q. ‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries. Comment with examples. (UPSC 2020)

Tax on online gaming: What the GST Council’s decision says, its implications

Syllabus: Issues related to the Indian economy

In News

Levy of 28% Uniform Tax: The GST Council, in its 50th meeting, decided to impose a uniform 28% tax on the full face value for online gaming, casinos, and horse racing.

Details of the Tax Levy:

• Considered Options: Initially, the ministerial panel discussed the possibility of taxing gross gaming revenue or platform fees, but this was not favored.
• Applicable Levy: The 28% tax will apply to:
  • The face value of chips purchased in casinos.
  • The full value of bets placed with bookmakers/totalisators in horse racing.
  • The full value of bets placed in online gaming.
• Amendments to GST Laws: The government will make amendments to the GST-related laws to include online gaming and horse racing as taxable actionable claims under the CGST Act, 2017, whereas lottery, betting, and gambling were previously classified as actionable claims.

Implementation and Impact:

• Previous Tax Rates: Gaming companies were previously paying an 18% tax on platform fees.
• New Tax Structure: Under the new system, the 28% GST will apply to the entire face value of the bet or consideration paid, rather than the platform fee.
• Real-Life Example: For a platform fee of 10% on a Rs 100 deposit, the GST was Rs 1.8. With the new structure, the GST on Rs 100 will be Rs 28, a significant increase of around 15.6 times.

Online Gaming Market in India:

• Growth Rate: The industry experienced a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 38% between 2017-2020, much higher than China’s 8% and the US’s 10%.
• Expected Revenue: It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15%, reaching Rs 153 billion in revenue by 2024.
• Fastest Growing New Paying Users: India had the fastest-growing percentage of new paying users (NPUs) in gaming globally.
• Increase in Paying Gamers: Transaction-based games’ revenues grew 26% in India, with the number of paying gamers increasing by 17% from 80 million in 2020 to 95 million in 2021.

Impact on Online Gaming Companies:

• Highly Profitable Companies: Online gaming companies, like Dream11, have reported substantial profits.
• Unfavorable Impact: The decision affects both gaming and gambling platforms and disregards efforts to distinguish between games of skill and games of chance.
• Reactions of Companies: Companies consider the tax increase “extremely unfortunate” and claim it will lead to a nearly 1000% increase in taxation, potentially harming the Indian gaming industry and causing job losses.

Government’s Intention:

• Moral Concerns: The government aims to prevent excessive encouragement of the gaming industry over essential goods and services.
• Addressing Addiction: The decision is partly motivated by concerns over the addictive nature of gaming, particularly its impact on children and teenagers. The government plans to implement age and income-based restrictions along with higher taxes.

About Goods and Services Tax (GST):

• Introduction and Applicability: GST is an indirect tax that came into effect on July 1, 2017, following the 101st Amendment to the Indian Constitution. It applies to manufacturers, sellers of goods, and suppliers of services.
• Tax Slabs: GST is divided into five tax slabs – 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.

About GST Council:

Role and Authority: The GST Council is an apex committee empowered by Article 279A of the Indian Constitution. It modifies, reconciles, or makes recommendations to the Union and States on various aspects of GST implementation, such as goods and services subject to GST and model GST laws.

Prelims Question: UPSC 2017

What is/are the most likely advantages of implementing ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST)’?

1. It will replace multiple taxes collected by multiple authorities and will thus create a single market in India.
2. It will drastically reduce the ‘Current Account Deficit’ of India and will enable it to increase its foreign exchange reserves.
3. It will enormously increase the growth and size of the economy of India and will enable it to overtake China in the near future.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

 Ans: 1

Issues with the air pollution control measures in India

 Syllabus: Environmental Pollution

In News

According to a CSE analysis, air pollution impacts villages and cities almost equally but pollution control measures target only urban India.

Findings of the Analysis:

• Particulate Matter (PM) 5 is a highly dangerous air pollutant that can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing various diseases, including fatal ones.
• In 2022, the annual average of ultrafine particulate matter (PM) 5 was equally poor in both rural and urban India (~46 micrograms, exceeding the national limit of 40 micrograms).
• Certain rural areas, such as Delhi and states like Bihar, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, showed significantly high PM 5 pollution levels.
• The rural population is more adversely affected than the urban population, leading to a reduction in life span due to exposure to toxic pollutants.

Steps taken – The National Clean Air Plan (NCAP):

• Declared in 2019, the NCAP aimed for a tentative national target of 20-30% reduction in PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentration by 2024.
• Approximately Rs 9,000 crores have been allocated mainly for 131 cities with consistently high air pollution levels exceeding national limits.

Takeaways from the Findings:

• The analysis questions the government’s policy of focusing pollution control measures only on selected urban areas, neglecting rural regions.
• Many rural areas lack proper pollution measuring mechanisms and are not equipped to combat air pollution effectively.

Way Ahead:

• Air pollution is a transboundary issue that affects both rural and urban areas.
• Urgent action is required to track pollution levels and develop specific policies for rural regions.
• Establishing a larger network of high-spatial-resolution air pollutants monitoring in rural and non-urban areas is crucial.
• The current air shade arrangement model, which concentrates on selected cities, needs reevaluation.

Conclusion:

• Resolving the air pollution crisis in the country necessitates addressing rural areas’ pollution concerns.
• Policy and action must be formulated for rural India to effectively tackle the air pollution problem.

Prelims Question: UPSC 2022

In the Guidelines, statements: the context of WHO consider the Air Quality following

1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 ug/m³ and the annual mean of PM 2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m³.
2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during periods of inclement weather.
3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1, 3 and 4
2. 1 and 4 only
3. 2, 3 and 4
4. 1 and 2 only

Ans: 2

Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour

In News

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi awarded Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest award by the President of France.

• The Legion of Honour is the highest French decoration, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.
• It is divided into five degrees: Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, and Grand Cross, with PM receiving the fifth honor.
• The ribbon color is red, and the badge is a five-armed Maltese asterisk on an oak and laurel wreath.
• The obverse of the badge features the effigy of the Republic, and the reverse has two tricolor flags with the motto ‘Honor and Fatherland’ in French.
• While membership is primarily for French nationals, foreign nationals serving France or upholding its ideals may also receive the distinction.
• Other notable recipients of the Legion of Honour include Nelson Mandela, King Charles (then Prince of Wales), Angela Merkel, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Vladimir Putin.

Phosphate Discovery in Norway

In News

• A valuable mineral deposit of phosphate, essential for electric cars and solar panels, discovered in Norway.
• The deposit contains up to 70 billion tonnes of phosphorus, sufficient to meet demand for 50 years.

About Phosphorous

• Phosphorus is derived from phosphate rock and is a finite resource, which means it will eventually be depleted.
• Approximately 90% of mined phosphate is used in the agriculture industry for fertilizer production.
• Previously, the largest phosphate rock deposit was found in Morocco’s western Sahara region, totaling around 50 billion tonnes. China and Egypt also have significant phosphate reserves.
• Environmental concerns related to phosphate include its contribution to algae blooms in waterways and the polluting refining process for phosphorus extraction.

In India

In India, phosphate rocks are important secondary resources of uranium. India faces a deficiency in Apatite & Rock Phosphate availability, relying heavily on imports for apatite and limited production of Rock Phosphate in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

AuditOnline

In News

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the Action Taken Report (ATR) Module of AuditOnline through a virtual event.

About AuditOnline

• AuditOnline is open-source software developed as part of the Panchayat Enterprise Suite under the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project, a component of the Digital India Programme.
• The ministry also introduced eGramSwaraj, a user-friendly accounting application, along with AuditOnline.
• The primary aim of AuditOnline is to promote transparency and accountability in the financial management of Panchayats.

Advantage

• Advantages of the ATR Module include facilitating online audits of Panchayat accounts, generating audit reports, documenting observations, and monitoring actions taken in response to audit findings.
• The implementation of the ATR Module is expected to make Panchayats more efficient, empowered, and corruption-free in managing funds.
• The government’s target is to audit all Panchayat accounts to fulfill the criteria of the Fifteenth Finance Commission for subsequent grants.

NASA’s Perseverance rover finds diverse organic matter on Mars

In News

NASA’s Perseverance rover makes a significant discovery of organic compounds in a Martian crater, shedding light on Mars’ potential habitability.

• The study, published in Nature, reveals a more intricate organic geochemical cycle on Mars than previously known, indicating the presence of multiple reservoirs of potential organic molecules.

Key Findings

• Key findings suggest that aqueous processes have occurred on Mars, and water might have played a significant role in the existence of organic matter.
• The research team utilized the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) instrument to detect the organic compounds.
• The rover’s landing site in Jezero Crater, once a lake basin, exhibits high potential for past habitability due to the presence of minerals like carbonates, clays, and sulphates, which could preserve organic compounds and traces of prehistoric life.

New plant species that grow in saline conditions of Kutch discovered

In News

Researchers discover a new species of saltwort named Salsola oppositifolia Desfontania in Gujarat, India’s Kutch district.

• Salsola oppositifolia belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and thrives in saline, arid to semi-arid environments.

About Salsola oppositifolia Desfontania

This halophyte is well-adapted to saline conditions and appears as a succulent shrub with a smooth, woody base, reaching a height of up to two meters.

The plant’s distinctive feature is its leaves, which grow opposite each other on the stem and store salty juice.

The Salsola genus, to which this species belongs, is valuable for multiple purposes, including the production of soda ash, lye, soaps, and pharmaceutical products.

Atlantic menhaden

In News

Researchers attribute changes in the Atlantic ecosystem to overfishing of Atlantic menhaden.

About Atlantic menhaden

• Atlantic menhaden are found in coastal and estuarine waters from Nova Scotia to northern Florida and serve various essential functions.
• As filter feeders, they primarily consume phytoplankton and zooplankton in the water column.
• Menhaden are harvested for multiple purposes, including use as fertilizers, animal feed, and bait for fisheries like blue crab and lobster.
• Additionally, they are a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids, leading to their use in the development of human and animal supplements.

Kaas Plateau (Maharastra)

In News

The Agharkar Research Institute in Pune, Maharashtra, conducted a recent study unveiling noteworthy climate and environmental shifts on the Kaas Plateau. This plateau, located 25 kilometers west of Satara city in Maharashtra, India, is renowned for its seasonal flowers that create a vibrant carpet during August and September. Designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2012, the Kaas Plateau is part of the Sahyadri Sub-Cluster of the Western Ghats.

India’s attempt to expand G20 to increase Global South imprint

Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

In News

The Indian government, led by Indian Sherpa Amitabh Kant, is aiming to increase the representation and influence of the Global South within the G20.

India’s Proposed Measures in the Revised Draft

• African Union (AU) Membership: India has inserted a proposal in the revised draft to include the African Union as a member of the G20.
• Gender-led Development: The revised draft includes a focus on promoting gender-led development initiatives.
• Digital Public Infrastructure: The draft also emphasizes the importance of digital public infrastructure for sustainable development.
• Green Hydrogen Transitions: India has added a section on supporting and promoting green hydrogen transitions as part of the G20’s efforts towards sustainable energy.

Significance of India’s Push to Expand G20

• Distract from Global Polarization: India’s push to expand the G20 is intended to divert attention from the ongoing global polarization caused by the war in Ukraine, which has affected joint statements at India-led G20 events.
• Transform G20 into a Global Body: By advocating for the inclusion of the African Union, India seeks to make the G20 a truly global body. This would mean that 90% of the global population would be represented within the grouping.
• Leveraging African Economic Growth: Adding African countries to the G20 is significant as many of these nations are experiencing fast-growing economies, making them vital contributors to global economic development.

Factors Aiding India’s Push for G20 Expansion

• Troika of Developing Countries: The G20 hosted by India represents the first time that developing countries are forming the troika of hosts for consecutive years (2022-2023-2024), with Indonesia, India, and Brazil leading the summit.
• Over-representation of Europe: India’s push is also fueled by the observation that Europe is over-represented in the G20, with a significant proportion of the grouping composed of European nations and the European Union.

Challenges to Adding AU in the G20

• Competition from Other Contenders: India faces competition from other contenders seeking G20 membership, including regional groupings such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and individual countries like the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.
• Paralysis of Decision-Making: Including the African Union in the G20 would lead to a substantial increase in the number of countries that can potentially hold up consensus on G20 documents. This challenge is already exacerbated by the Ukraine war, which has affected decision-making within the group.

Conclusion

India’s legacy as the G20 President hinges on its ability to forge a joint statement and bring all G20 leaders together. In this context, the inclusion of African countries through the AU may serve as compensation and enhance the G20’s representation and effectiveness in addressing global challenges.

The African Union (AU)

• It is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.
• It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).

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