GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad has issued advisories regarding swell waves affecting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and various coastal regions in India, including Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry.

What are Swell Waves?

• Swell waves are long-wavelength ocean waves that travel away from their points of origin, typically created by windstorms or other weather systems.
• Unlike local sea waves, which are generated by nearby winds, swell waves carry energy across vast distances.
• This energy transfer occurs when windstorms and powerful air currents impact the water surface, resulting in waves that are more potent than their locally generated counterparts.

Characteristics of Swell Waves

• Energy and Distance: Swell waves have higher energy levels, enabling them to travel long distances with minimal energy loss. This characteristic allows them to strike coastal areas with considerable power.
• Wave Organization: Swell waves tend to organize into groups with similar heights and periods. The "wave period" refers to the time taken for one wavelength to pass a specific point. Longer wavelengths correlate with longer wave periods, signifying faster and more powerful waves.
• Power and Persistence: A wave represents a transfer of energy; thus, longer waves, which dissipate energy more slowly than shorter waves, can persist for days after their formation. This persistence is critical for coastal communities as it affects safety and preparedness.

Forecasting Swell Waves in India

• INCOIS launched a swell surge forecast system in February 2020 to provide timely warnings to coastal populations about impending swell waves.
• The significance of this system is underscored by the colloquial term "Kallakkadal waves," used by Kerala fishermen to describe sudden and hazardous wave surges that can lead to flash floods.
• This term has gained scientific acceptance through recognition by UNESCO.

Differences Between Swell Waves and Tsunami Waves

• Tsunamis are massive ocean waves primarily caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. As they approach shorelines, their height significantly increases due to shallower waters.
• Key Characteristics
  • Speed: Tsunami waves can travel at speeds up to 500 miles (805 kilometers) per hour in deep water, slowing down but gaining height as they near the coast.
  • Misconception: Often called "tidal waves," tsunamis are not related to tides and are distinct phenomena.
• Causes
  • Earthquakes: Most tsunamis are triggered by significant underwater earthquakes, particularly at tectonic plate boundaries.
  • Geological Activity: About 80% occur in the "Ring of Fire" in the Pacific, known for intense geological activity.
  • Other Triggers: Underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions, and historical meteorite impacts can also cause tsunamis.

The diplomatic relations between India and Canada have significantly deteriorated since 2018, marked by a series of incidents and statements that highlight growing tensions. Now, India "strongly" rejected Canada's latest "diplomatic communication" against the Indian envoy and other diplomats "in a matter related to an investigation in that country". India's Ministry of External Affairs slammed the Canadian government and accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of indulging in "vote bank politics".

Key events that have shaped this strained relationship.

• 2018: Trudeau’s Controversial Visit: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited India, which was intended to strengthen ties but ended up being criticized as a diplomatic disaster. The visit was marred by controversy when a convicted Sikh separatist was invited to a formal event by the Canadian High Commissioner, only rescinded after media inquiries.
• 2020: Farmers’ Protests and Diplomatic Tensions: Trudeau became the first world leader to express concerns about India's farmers' protests, stating he was worried for those affected. This marked the beginning of heightened sensitivities regarding Canada's stance on issues affecting India, leading to mutual distrust.
• 2022: Anti-India Activities and Hate Crimes: India condemned the defacing of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto with anti-India graffiti and warned Indian nationals in Canada about a rise in hate crimes and sectarian violence.
• 2023: Protests and Security Concerns: A protest outside the Indian Consulate in Vancouver coincided with a manhunt for Sikh separatist Amritpal Singh. Trudeau's national security adviser accused India of foreign interference, while an event glorifying the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi further strained relations.
• Nijjar’s Assassination and Diplomatic Fallout: Hardeep Singh Nijjar, designated a terrorist by India, was shot dead in Vancouver. His death incited protests and escalated tensions, leading to accusations from Trudeau that Indian agents may be involved. Canada halted negotiations on a proposed trade treaty with India as diplomatic ties continued to fray over Nijjar's killing.
  • Nijjar was a Khalistani separatist who was gunned down on Canadian soil in June 2023. He was a Canadian citizen but a designated terrorist in India. Nijjar supported the Khalistan movement, which is banned in India. Khalistani sepratists talk about an unofficial Khalistan referendum vote seeking a separate Sikh state.

 What is the root cause of deteriorating relations?

• There are some 770,000 Sikhs living in Canada, home to the largest Sikh diaspora outside the Indian state of Punjab.
• Sikh separatism - rooted in a bloody insurgency in India during the 1980s and early ’90s - continues to strain relations between the two countries.
• Canada has faced sharp criticism from Delhi for failing to oppose the pro-Khalistan movement within its borders.
• Canada, says India, is aware of local Khalistani groups and has been monitoring them for years.
• Negotiations towards the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), which was to serve as an early transitional step towards the larger Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) now stand “paused.”

Impact

• Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Canada grew slightly during this period, to $8.4 billion in FY24 from $8.3 billion in FY23. India's imports from Canada increased to $4.6 billion, while exports saw a marginal dip, falling to $3.8 billion.
• Canadian Investments: Canadian investments in India extend well beyond popular brands like Tim Hortons and McCain Foods. A variety of sectors are seeing significant financial input from Canada, particularly through pension funds, asset management firms, and financial services companies.
  • Canada is the 18th-largest foreign investor in India.
  • From 2020-21 to 2022-23, Canadian investments totaled approximately $3.31 billion, representing 5% of India’s total foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows.
• Sector Focus: Major sectors for Canadian investment include: Financial Services, Financial Technology (FinTech), Infrastructure, Real Estate, Information Technology (IT) and Energy
• Services and infrastructure alone account for nearly 41% of Canadian FDI in India.
• Pension Fund Investments: Canadian pension funds have invested over $75 billion in India, reflecting a growing interest in the country as a promising investment destination.
• Remittances: India is the largest recipient of remittances from abroad, due to the sizeable presence of the Indian migrant workforce globally. In 2023, India received an estimated USD 125 billion in remittances, with Canada ranking among the top 10 sources (World Bank).
• Trade Items:
  • Items of India’s exports to Canada: Gems, jewellery and precious stones, pharmaceutical products, ready-made garments, mechanical appliances, organic chemicals, light engineering goods, iron and steel articles, etc.
  • India’s imports from Canada: pulses, newsprint, wood pulp, asbestos, potash, iron scrap, copper, minerals, and industrial chemicals, etc.

India's Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, is visiting Islamabad for the 23rd Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG). This visit by India's foreign minister is a notable event in regional diplomacy.

What is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

• The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a multilateral platform founded in 2001, comprising eight member states: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• The organization primarily focuses on regional security, economic cooperation, and political collaboration, particularly in addressing challenges like terrorism and extremism.
• With a unique blend of both Asian and Eurasian countries, the SCO aims to foster stability and development across the region, making it one of the largest transregional organizations globally.
• India became an observer in the SCO in 2005 and became a member state in 2017.

Importance of SCO for India

• For India, the SCO is strategically significant as it enhances its engagement with major regional powers, particularly China and Russia, in a multipolar world.
• The organization provides a platform for India to collaborate on security issues, especially in combating terrorism and addressing threats emanating from its immediate neighbors, Pakistan and China.
• Additionally, the SCO facilitates India's access to Central Asian resources, thereby bolstering its energy security and economic interests in the region.
• Reasons for India Joining SCO
  • India's decision to join the SCO stemmed from its desire for a greater presence in Central Asia and to counterbalance the influence of Western powers. By becoming a member, India aims to leverage the platform to push for collective action against terrorism, particularly regarding groups operating from Pakistan.
  • The move also aligns with India's long-term objective of establishing a multipolar global order and enhancing its strategic partnerships in a region critical to its national interests.

The ongoing protests by Samsung India workers in Tamil Nadu, have drawn significant attention as they highlight the fundamental right of workers to form trade unions for collective bargaining. The workers have sought to negotiate on equal terms with the management to establish better employment conditions. The situation escalated when the State government formed a 'workmen committee' to address the issues while resorting to police action against the striking workers.

What Has Happened?

• The workers at Samsung India are demanding the registration of their trade union, the Samsung India Workers Union (SIWU), under the Trade Unions Act of 1926.
• However, the government's formation of a workmen committee, without prior registration of the union, has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the process.
• Samsung has also expressed objections to the inclusion of its name in the union, alleging backing from the Centre of Trade Unions (CITU).

Labour Rights and Constitutional Provisions

• Right to Form a Union: The Supreme Court (B.R. Singh versus Union of India in 1989) recognized the right to form associations and unions as a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(c) of the Indian Constitution.
  • This right can only be restricted under Article 19(4) in cases where public order, morality, or national integrity is at risk.
  • It is the obligation of the State, acting through the Registrar of Trade Unions, as the regulatory authority under the 1926 Act, to register trade unions and give individual workers their voice.
  • The benefits of registration under the 1926 Act include immunity from both civil and criminal action.
    • Section 4 of the Act notes that even seven members could apply for registration of their union.
    • Under Section 6, the Registrar has to merely examine whether a trade union’s rules conform with the rules of the Act.
• Right to Strike: Strikes are legally recognized (legal right) as a form of demonstration for workers' rights under the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947, but they come with certain restrictions. Section 22 of the Act specifies conditions under which strikes may be deemed illegal, such as lack of proper notice or continuation during ongoing conciliation proceedings.
  • The Supreme Court has acknowledged that while the right to strike is essential for worker advocacy, it must be exercised in accordance with existing industrial laws.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to U.S. economists Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson for their groundbreaking studies on how institutions are formed and their impact on prosperity. The Nobel committee recognized the winners for enhancing our understanding of the root causes behind the “success or failure of nations”.

Significance of Their Work

• The noble prize winners studied the “global inequality in wealth”.
• The disparity between rich and poor nations has long puzzled economists.
• Currently, the richest 20% of countries have an average income 30 times greater than that of the poorest 20%.
• Various theories have attempted to explain this divergence, ranging from historical colonialism to differences in natural resources and even intelligence.
• However, Acemoglu, Johnson, and Robinson argue that the primary explanation lies in the quality of economic and political institutions.
• Their influential 2012 book, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty, along with their collaborative paper from 2004, emphasizes that:
  • inclusive institutions—characterized by secure property rights and democracy—promote economic growth
  • whereas extractive institutions—marked by insecurity and lack of political freedom—lead to stagnation and poverty

Why is there a “Wealth Gap” between nations?

• The wealth gap between nations refers to the significant differences in income and prosperity that exist across countries. Some nations that were once rich have become poor, particularly after experiencing
• Economists Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson have explored this issue, focusing on the role of societal institutions established during colonization.
• The Role of Institutions: Institutions are the rules and systems that govern how a society operates. They include laws, political structures, and economic policies. The quality of these institutions can greatly influence a country's economic success or failure.
• Inclusive vs. Extractive Institutions
  • Inclusive Institutions: These institutions provide secure property rights, promote political participation, and encourage investment. They allow individuals to work hard and benefit from their efforts. Countries that adopted inclusive institutions tend to become more prosperous over time.
  • Extractive Institutions: In contrast, extractive institutions concentrate power and wealth in the hands of a few. They often lack protection for property rights and discourage investment. Countries with extractive institutions struggle to achieve economic growth and often remain poor.

Impact of Colonization

Institutions are described as the "rules of the game" that shape individual incentives in economic interactions. During colonization, different types of institutions were established in various regions:

• Inclusive institutions: In areas where colonizers intended to settle and build a future, inclusive institutions were often created. For example, in North America, these institutions supported long-term economic development.
• Extractive institutions: In regions where colonizers did not settle, they established extractive institutions aimed at exploiting resources quickly. This approach can be seen in parts of Africa and Asia, including India, where the focus was on extraction rather than growth.

Challenges to Establishing Inclusive Institutions

• Despite the evident benefits of inclusive institutions for economic growth, their adoption has been limited.
• The laureates attribute this to the choices faced by rulers, who may prefer extractive institutions that allow them to secure resources for personal gain.
• When rulers can exploit resources without facing substantial opposition, there is little incentive for reform.
• However, when popular uprisings threaten the status quo, some leaders may opt to implement more inclusive institutions to appease the masses and stabilize their rule.

India's rapid economic growth has sparked discussions about the country's logistics capabilities, particularly regarding containerized transport. Recent reports highlight a significant challenge: India's insufficient production of shipping containers, which could hinder the country's trade ambitions.

What is the Importance of Containerization?

• Containerization has transformed global trade by allowing goods to be transported efficiently across various modes—rail, ship, and road.
• Standardized containers make it easy to move cargo long distances without disruption once sealed. This method significantly reduces transportation time and port delays, facilitating globalization.

India's Trade Growth and Container Needs

• India's trade growth relies heavily on increasing its container handling capacity.
• Major projects, like the Vadhavan and Galathea Bay ports, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, are centered around containerized transport. However, India faces a major hurdle: it does not produce enough containers.
  • Currently, India manufactures only 10,000 to 30,000 containers annually, while China produces between 2.5 to 3 million.
  • As a result, India must lease containers from abroad, primarily China, leading to higher costs.
  • The price of making one container in India ranges from USD 3,500 to USD 4,800, compared to USD 2,500 to USD 3,500 in China.

Impacts of the Container Shortage

• The shortage of containers drives up freight rates and contributes to congestion at Indian ports. Despite their strategic location on East-West trade routes, Indian ports struggle to become hub ports due to this lack of containers. Consequently, major shipping traffic is diverted to ports in Colombo, Dubai, and Hong Kong.
• Events like the Russia-Ukraine war and crises in West Asia have further complicated shipping logistics, increasing freight costs and reducing container availability. These challenges highlight the urgent need for a robust domestic supply of containers.

Government Initiatives and Recommendations

• The Indian government has launched initiatives like Make In India to promote local container production. Strategies include public-private partnerships and direct incentives for manufacturers. Additional measures could include:
• Reducing Costs: Lowering charges for repositioning and storing empty containers can help alleviate shortages.
• Enhancing Port Capacities: Increasing container yard capacities at ports would support business growth.
• Production Incentives: Implementing Production Linked Incentives (PLI) and relaxing GST for manufacturers can lower production costs.
• Encouraging Local Usage: Mandating the use of Indian-made containers would increase domestic demand and benefit local manufacturers.
• Streamlining Logistics: Developing tracking systems through platforms like the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) can improve efficiency and reduce turnaround times for export containers.

Global public debt is set to surpass USD 100 trillion this year, signalling urgent calls for stronger fiscal measures from major economies, according to a recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

What Is Global Public Debt?

• Global public debt refers to the total amount of money that governments around the world owe to creditors.
• This debt can include domestic and foreign loans, bonds, and other forms of borrowing. Public debt is usually expressed as a percentage of a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which measures the economic output of a nation.
• A rising public debt ratio can indicate that a country is borrowing more than it is producing, raising concerns about its long-term financial health.

Causes of Rising Global Public Debt

• COVID-19 Pandemic: The pandemic forced governments to implement expansive spending strategies to support their economies. This included financial aid for businesses, unemployment benefits, and healthcare spending, leading to increased borrowing.
• Economic Stimulus: Major economies, particularly the U.S. and China, have engaged in substantial fiscal stimulus plans to boost growth. This has contributed significantly to the rise in global debt levels.
• Inflation and Interest Rates: As inflationary pressures ease and central banks lower borrowing costs, governments have more incentive to borrow. However, the need for long-term fiscal sustainability remains pressing.
• Aging Populations and Security Issues: Challenges like an aging population and increasing security concerns further strain public finances, requiring governments to borrow more to meet these needs.

Impact of Rising Global Public Debt

• Economic Stability: High levels of public debt can jeopardize economic stability, making it more challenging for governments to respond to future crises. The IMF warns that without decisive action, future debt levels may exceed current projections, requiring significant fiscal adjustments.
• Government Bond Markets: Escalating borrowing levels have already led to sell-offs in government bond markets, raising borrowing costs for countries. This can create a cycle of increasing debt as governments struggle to finance their obligations.
• Fiscal Policies: The IMF has recommended that governments prioritize their spending, reform entitlements, and find new revenue sources to stabilize their finances. Delaying these necessary adjustments could lead to more severe economic challenges in the future.
• Vulnerable Households: As governments make fiscal adjustments, it is crucial to protect vulnerable households from the impacts of austerity measures. Well-designed fiscal policies can support economic growth while ensuring that the most affected populations receive assistance.

Recent reports emphasize the significance of the Haber-Bosch process in converting atmospheric nitrogen into fertilizer, addressing the growing global food demand while highlighting the disparity between industrial and natural nitrogen replenishment methods.

What Is Nitrogen?

• Nitrogen is a key element that makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere, primarily in the form of molecular nitrogen (N2). Although abundant, this form of nitrogen is not usable by plants because it exists as a stable triple bond between two nitrogen atoms, making it inert and difficult to break apart.
• The Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen enters the soil in forms that plants can use, known as reactive nitrogen, through several natural processes:
  • Lightning: When lightning strikes, it provides enough energy to break the nitrogen triple bond, creating nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2). These oxides can mix with water to form nitric acid, which falls as rain and enriches the soil.
  • Bacteria: Certain bacteria, like Azotobacter and Rhizobia, can convert atmospheric nitrogen into reactive forms. Rhizobia live in the roots of legume plants, helping them absorb nitrogen while receiving nutrients in return.
  • Aquatic Plants: Some aquatic ferns, like Azolla, work with bacteria to convert nitrogen into a usable form, acting as a natural fertilizer when they decay.

The Role of Ammonia

• Ammonia (NH3) is a key reactive form of nitrogen that plants need for growth. It can be produced through natural processes or industrial methods.
• The Haber-Bosch process is a significant industrial method that synthesizes ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases under high pressure and temperature.

The Haber-Bosch Process

• Development: It is developed by Fritz Haber and later improved by Carl Bosch, the Haber-Bosch process revolutionized ammonia production. It requires:
  • High temperatures (around 200°C)
  • High pressures (up to 200 atm)
  • A catalyst (initially osmium, later iron oxides)
• Impact: This process enables the mass production of synthetic fertilizers, which have dramatically increased global food production, allowing us to meet the demands of a growing population.

Environmental Concerns

While the Haber-Bosch process has been crucial for food security, it also has significant downsides:

• Excess Nitrogen: The widespread use of nitrogen fertilizers leads to soil saturation, where plants absorb more nitrogen than they need. This excess can:
  • Acidify rain, harming ecosystems.
  • Cause runoff into water bodies, leading to algal blooms that deplete oxygen and harm aquatic life.
• Food Security Issues: Despite increased food production, issues like hunger and malnutrition persist due to economic and political factors, illustrating that technology alone cannot solve these problems.

The Indian government has announced the establishment of three Centres of Excellence (CoE) in artificial intelligence (AI) focused on healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities, aimed at enhancing India's position in the global AI landscape.

What Are the Centres of Excellence?

• These CoEs will develop AI solutions to improve various sectors, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
• Leadership:
  • Healthcare: Led by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and IIT Delhi.
  • Agriculture: Led by IIT Ropar in Punjab.
  • Sustainable Cities: Led by IIT Kanpur.
• Goals:
  • Innovation: The CoEs aim to foster multidisciplinary research and collaboration among industries, start-ups, and educational institutions.
  • Economic Impact: They are expected to boost the start-up ecosystem, generate new jobs, and create wealth.
  • Global Contribution: The government hopes these centres will play a significant role in global public policy and provide solutions to worldwide challenges.

Recent research has challenged the assumption that rising sea levels and increased flooding negatively impact coastal tree species, revealing that some trees may actually thrive under these conditions.

Impact of coastal flooding

• Coastal flooding is a sudden and abrupt inundation of a coastal environment caused by a short-term increase in water level due to a storm surge and extreme tides.
• Coastal flooding is generally a natural process and constitutes an important part of the natural coastal dynamics, especially for salt marshes and mangrove forests.
• Resilience Variation: The study indicates that the impact of climate change on coastal trees varies by species.
  • For example, American holly grows better with more water, while loblolly and pitch pines struggle with rising water levels.
• Research Method: Researchers used dendrochronology, a technique that analyzes tree rings to assess growth patterns in relation to environmental changes. They combined this with a machine-learning method called gradient-boosted linear regression to understand complex interactions among climate factors.

The global fight against hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition is under scrutiny as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals approach. Rising conflicts, climate change, and economic downturns hinder progress, especially in vulnerable regions.

Food Insecurity and Malnutrition

• Manifestation of Food Insecurity: Food insecurity arises from limited access to affordable healthy diets. Currently, 9.4% of the global population is undernourished, with Africa facing the highest rates at 20.4%. Asia, however, accounts for the largest number of hungry individuals at 384.5 million.
• Economic Access and Purchasing Capacity: The cost of a healthy diet reached 3.96 PPP dollars per day in 2022, making it unaffordable for many. While the number of people unable to afford such diets slightly decreased, significant challenges remain, particularly in low-income countries.
• Need for Transformative Solutions: In India, 63.3% of the rural population cannot afford a necessary diet even if all income is spent on food. Transforming the agri-food system is crucial to ensure access to healthy diets and address existing inequalities.

Unhealthy Diets in India

• Dietary Imbalances: Indian diets often fail to meet nutritional guidelines, with costs consuming up to 60% of household incomes. This imbalance contributes to low consumption of nutrient-rich foods among low-income families.
• Quality of Diets Across Income Groups: Even among the wealthy, protein-rich food consumption is low compared to processed foods. This suggests broader issues of availability and awareness affecting dietary quality across income levels.
• Global Hunger Index Critique: The Global Hunger Index ranks India poorly, focusing on nutrition and mortality rather than food availability. While most consume three meals daily, about 2.5% may not meet the minimum meal requirement.

Right to Food and Food Waste

• Campaign for Right to Food: World Food Day stresses the universal right to food, essential for a better future. While campaigns aim for food security, many still experience hunger due to affordability issues.
• Innovative Solutions to Hunger: Establishing food banks can prevent waste and ensure distribution to those in need. Effective food collection and distribution can help address hunger sustainably.
• Redistribution of Food Resources: Food-sufficient regions must redistribute resources to food-deficient areas. This humanitarian approach is vital for achieving a hunger-free nation and ensuring no community is left behind.

Practice Question

Q. Analyze the interplay between food insecurity, malnutrition, and economic access to healthy diets in India. What transformative measures are necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger by 2030?

October 16, 2024, marks World Food Day, themed “Right to foods for a better life and a better future.” This theme underscores the necessity of access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food, emphasizing global efforts led by the FAO, IFAD, and WFP in collaboration with India to uphold this fundamental human right.

Importance of Food Security

• Global Hunger Crisis: The FAO's 2024 report indicates that 733 million people globally face hunger, highlighting an urgent need to address food insecurity for individual well-being and societal stability.
• India's Agricultural Transformations: India's Green Revolution was pivotal in enhancing food availability. The nation is now focusing on nutrition, essential for child development and economic productivity, with initiatives like the White Revolution and Blue Transformation diversifying food sources.
• Policy Framework: The National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 is a cornerstone of India's food security, providing entitlements to over 800 million citizens. The recent approval of fortified rice distribution reflects India's commitment to improving nutrition and food security.

Challenges in Agriculture

• Smallholder Farmers' Struggles: With 82% of agrarian households being small and marginal farmers, productivity and livelihoods are jeopardized by challenges like natural resource degradation and limited access to technology.
• Market Access Issues: Infrastructure limitations hinder smallholder farmers from effectively accessing markets, leading to income loss and increased food waste. Improved linkages between production and markets are essential for farmers' economic stability.
• Climate Change Risks: Climate change exacerbates agricultural challenges, with erratic weather patterns threatening crop yields. Sustainable practices such as water conservation and soil health restoration are necessary to build resilience among farming communities.

Right to Food and Urban Considerations

• Broadening the Right to Food: The Right to Food is a universal human right that encompasses all citizens, including non-agricultural households. Ensuring access to nutritious food is critical, especially in urban areas facing food insecurity.
• Resilient Food Systems: Food availability for non-agricultural households relies on robust food systems. Addressing food inequality through social safety nets and market interventions is crucial for stabilizing prices and supporting vulnerable populations.
• Collective Responsibility: World Food Day serves as a reminder that achieving food access requires not just increased production but also equitable and sustainable agrifood systems. Collaborative efforts between the FAO, IFAD, WFP, and the Indian government are essential for fostering food security.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the significance of the Right to Food in the context of India's food security challenges. How can India address the needs of both agricultural and non-agricultural households to achieve a hunger-free society?

The ongoing emphasis on maximizing agricultural yields in India, measured in kg/hectare, is being questioned as experts advocate for a broader approach that encompasses nutritional value, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. The need for a paradigm shift is highlighted by declining micronutrient densities and the adverse impacts of climate change on food security.

The Yield-Centric Approach

• Historical Focus on Yield: Since independence, India has prioritized yield to ensure food security for its growing population. However, this narrow focus has often overlooked other crucial agricultural inputs like water, nutrition, and labor.
• Micronutrient Deficiencies: High-yielding varieties of rice and wheat have resulted in significant declines in essential micronutrients, with zinc levels dropping by 33% and iron by 27%. This nutritional deficit has led to widespread stunting and anemia among children in India.
• Economic Misconceptions: The belief that higher yields automatically increase farmers’ income is flawed. With diminishing returns on fertilizers and a singular focus on yields, farmers face rising costs without proportional income gains, necessitating a reassessment of agricultural strategies.

Biodiversity and Resilience Challenges

• Loss of Biodiversity: The quest for high-yielding varieties has led to a significant loss of agricultural biodiversity, including the disappearance of over 104,000 rice varieties. This loss undermines resilience against climate-related shocks like floods and droughts.
• Decline of Nutritional Crops: As rice and wheat cultivation expands, the area dedicated to nutritious coarse cereals, such as millets, has decreased. This shift threatens dietary diversity and the overall nutritional quality of the average Indian diet.
• Intercropping Benefits: Research shows that practices like intercropping can enhance farm income and nutritional output over time, suggesting a need for diverse crop combinations that can optimize both yield and resilience.

Shaping Better Agricultural Indicators

• Multi-Ministry Collaboration: Agricultural success metrics should involve multiple ministries, including Health, Water, and Environment, to reflect the interconnectedness of food systems and health outcomes.
• Focus on Nutritional and Environmental Indicators: New indicators should include nutritional output per hectare and assess soil health, water-use efficiency, and biodiversity. Initiatives like the ‘Saagu Baagu’ project are steps toward improving sustainable practices.
• Comprehensive Assessment Metrics: Beyond simple yield measurements, a ‘Landscape Diversity Score’ and income diversification metrics can provide a fuller picture of agricultural resilience, helping regions withstand economic and ecological challenges.

Practice Question 

Q. Critically evaluate the limitations of yield-centric agricultural policies in India and propose a multi-faceted approach to enhance nutritional security, biodiversity, and sustainability in the agricultural sector.