Agriculture — Miscellaneous
1. Food Waste Index Report 2024
Context: UNEP, in collaboration with WRAP, released the 2024 Food Waste Index Report ahead of the March 30 International Day of Zero Waste.
Key Findings
- Households globally wasted over 1 billion meals daily in 2022, while 783 million people experienced hunger.
- A third of the global population faced food insecurity.
- Food waste accounts for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- Hotter countries with inadequate cold storage systems tend to generate higher per-capita food waste at the household level.
- Lack of comprehensive data on food waste in retail and food service sectors, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.
About Food Waste Index (FWI)
- Monitors food and inedible parts wasted globally and at the national level, focusing on households, food services, and retail sectors.
- Released by UNEP in collaboration with Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
- Contributes to SDG 12.3 targets by 2030:
- SDG 12.3.1 (a): Food Loss Index (FLI) — Aims to reduce food losses across production and supply chains; overseen by FAO.
- SDG 12.3.1 (b): Food Waste Index (FWI) — Targets a 50% reduction in per-capita food waste at consumer and retail levels; UNEP is the custodian.
About WRAP
- Not-for-profit organization headquartered in the United Kingdom.
- Established: 2000
- Notable Initiatives:
- The Courtauld Commitment: Voluntary agreement to reduce waste in the food and drink industry.
- Love Food Hate Waste: Campaign raising awareness about food waste.
- Plastics Pact: Global initiative to eliminate problematic plastics.
- Textiles 2030: Agreement to accelerate circularity in fashion and textiles.
2. WTO's Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)
Context: India urged the WTO to address public stockholding for food security under the AoA during the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13).
- Negotiated during the Uruguay Round of trade talks (1986) and ratified in 1994 at Marrakesh, Morocco.
- Came into effect in 1995.
- Aims to ensure fair competition by reducing trade-distorting subsidies and improving market access.
Focus Areas
- Market Access (Article 4): Eliminates non-tariff barriers through tariffication.
- Developed countries: Reduce tariffs by 36% over six years.
- Developing countries: Reduce tariffs by 24% over ten years.
- Least developed countries: No reduction commitments.
- Domestic Support (Article 6): Government measures like MSP or input subsidies.
- Amber Box: Trade-distorting subsidies (input subsidies, MSP). Members must compute Aggregate Measure of Support (AMS). De Minimis Limit: 5% (developed), 10% (developing).
- Blue Box: Less trade-distorting subsidies involving production-limiting programs. No de minimis limits.
- Green Box: Minimal or no trade distortion (research funding, disaster relief, infrastructure). No limits.
- Export Subsidies: Commitments to reduce export subsidies.
About WTO
- Established: January 1, 1995 (replaced GATT)
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Members: 164 (as of 2024), representing over 98% of global trade
- Supreme decision-making body: Ministerial Conference
- Day-to-day affairs: General Council
- Decisions are typically made by consensus.
3. State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2024
Context: The SOFI Report 2024 was launched in the context of the G20 Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty Task Force Ministerial Meeting in Brazil.
- Prepared by: Five UN specialized agencies — FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, WHO.
Key Findings
- Shortfall in SDG 2: Between 713 and 757 million people may have faced hunger in 2023.
- Global Hunger Reverts to 2008-2009 Levels: The world has been set back 15 years.
- Billions Struggle with Food Insecurity: Around 2.33 billion people faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023.
Regional Trends
- Africa: 20.4% of population faces hunger (~298.4 million people).
- Asia: 8.1% of population faces hunger (384.5 million people — more than half of the world's hungry).
- Latin America: 6.2% of population faces hunger (~41 million people).
- Future Trends: If current trends continue, 582 million people will be chronically undernourished by 2030.
Income-Based Inequalities in Diet Affordability
- Low-Income Countries: 71.5% could not afford a healthy diet.
- Lower-Middle-Income Countries: 52.6%.
- Upper-Middle-Income Countries: 21.5%.
- High-Income Countries: 6.3%.
Key Drivers
- Conflict, climate variability and extremes, economic slowdowns.
- Underlying factors: lack of access to healthy diets, unhealthy food environments, high inequality.
4. Global Soil Conference 2024
Context: The Union Minister addressed the inaugural session of the Global Soil Conference 2024 in PUSA, New Delhi.
- Organised by: Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) under the aegis of International Union of Soil Sciences, Italy.
- Theme: "Caring Soils Beyond Food Security: Climate change mitigation & Ecosystem Services"
- Approximately 30% of India's soil is believed to be degraded due to erosion, salinity, pollution, and decline in organic carbon levels.
Key Objectives
- Promote actionable, farmer-centric solutions for improving soil fertility and resilience.
- Align soil health initiatives with climate mitigation strategies.
- Highlight soil's role in supporting biodiversity, regulating water cycles, and providing ecosystem services.
- Encourage partnerships between nations and institutions in advancing soil research.
About Indian Society for Soil Sciences
- Non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1934 in Calcutta.
- Affiliated with the International Science Council (ISC).
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Publishes the Indian Journal of Soil Science (IJSS).
5. Mission Mausam
Context: The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) unveiled "Mission Mausam" to boost India's weather and climate forecasting capabilities. The Union Cabinet approved it on September 11, 2024, allocating ₹2,000 crore for two years (2024–2026).
- Aims to make India a "Weather-Ready and Climate-Smart" nation.
- Significantly upgrade India's weather observation, modelling, and forecasting systems.
Key Infrastructure Enhancements
- 50 Doppler Weather Radars (DWR)
- 60 Radio Sonde/Radio Wind (RS/RW) stations
- 100 disdrometers, 10 Wind Profilers, 25 radiometers
- 1 urban testbed, 1 process testbed, 1 ocean research station
- 10 Marine Automatic Weather Stations with upper air observation capabilities
About India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- Established: 1875
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Headed by the Director General of Meteorology
- Operates 6 Regional Meteorological Centres (RMCs): Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Nagpur, and Guwahati
- Functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
6. Global Family Farming Forum (GFFF)
Context: The GFFF was inaugurated during the World Food Forum (WFF). It marks the midpoint of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (2019–2028).
- Collaborative Initiative: FAO and IFAD
- Family farms represent over 90% of the world's 550 million farms and are responsible for 70–80% of the world's food production by value.
About World Food Forum (WFF)
- Launched by the FAO Youth Committee in 2021
- Annual Event: Held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy
- 2024 Theme: "Good Food for All, for Today and Tomorrow"
- Activities: World Food Day, Rome Water Dialogue, Global Family Farming Forum
About IFAD
- Specialized agency of the UN established in 1977 following the 1974 World Food Conference.
- Headquarters: Rome, Italy
- Membership: 177 member states
- Aims to alleviate rural poverty and support sustainable agricultural practices.
Rome Declaration: FAO and WASAG (Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture) jointly adopted the Rome Declaration to address water scarcity challenges in agriculture.
7. Svalbard Seed Vault
Context: The Svalbard Global Seed Vault received 10,000 new seed samples, marking the largest deposit in its 16-year history.
- Location: Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago under Norway's jurisdiction.
- Often called the "doomsday vault" — serves as the primary global backup for seeds.
- Currently houses over 1 million seed varieties from around 80 countries.
- Managed by: Nordic Genetic Resources Centre under a UN treaty.
- Each depositor retains full ownership and control of their seeds.
- Recognized for its contribution to food security, including receiving the prestigious World Food Prize.
Storage and Security
- Seeds stored at -18°C (-0.4°F) within three rock chambers, over 100 meters inside a sandstone mountain.
- Permafrost surrounding the vault provides natural refrigeration.
About Permafrost
- Soil or rock that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years.
- Predominantly found in cold regions: Arctic, Siberia, Alaska, parts of Canada.
8. Hunger Hotspots
Context: The FAO and WFP report "Hunger Hotspots" warns of rising food insecurity in 22 nations and regions.
Highest Alert Countries
- Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, Mali, Palestinian territories
New Additions
- Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Niger
Ongoing Hotspots
- Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi, Somalia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Drivers of Food Insecurity
- Conflict and Political Instability: Sahel region (Chad, northern Nigeria).
- Economic Challenges: Myanmar, Haiti.
- Climate Variability: La Niña — flood risks in Southern Africa; drought in Ethiopia, eastern Kenya, Somalia.
Global Context
- Nearly 300 million people worldwide require humanitarian assistance.
- Acute food insecurity affects 258 million individuals across 58 countries.
About FAO
- Established: October 16, 1945
- Headquarters: Rome, Italy
- Members: 195 (194 countries + EU)
- Key Initiatives: Zero Hunger Challenge, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Food Security Programs
About UN World Food Programme
- Established: 1961
- Headquarters: Rome, Italy
- Member Countries: 193
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for combating hunger and fostering peace.
9. Rosewood
Context: During the 27th meeting of the Plants Committee, CITES issued guidelines for members involved in the sustainable harvest and trade of Rosewood specimens.
- Family: Leguminosae (Fabaceae)
- Commercial/trade term for timber from tropical hardwoods.
- Listed under CITES Appendix II — not immediately threatened but could be at risk if trade is not regulated.
- CITES regulates trade in rosewood species including genera Dalbergia, Afzelia, Khaya, and Pterocarpus.
Distribution
- Native to Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Africa, and Indonesia.
Indian Rosewood Species
- Dalbergia latifolia (East Indian rosewood): Premier timber species native to low-elevation tropical monsoon forests of southeast India. Also called beetle and sisal.
- Dalbergia sissoo (North Indian rosewood or Shisham): Fast-growing, hardy, deciduous tree native to the foothills of the Himalayas, ranging from Afghanistan to Bihar. Grows up to 15-25 meters.
10. Summary: Miscellaneous Topics at a Glance
| Topic | Key Feature | Organization/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Food Waste Index Report | 1 billion meals wasted daily; 8-10% GHG emissions | UNEP + WRAP (2024) |
| WTO AoA | Amber, Blue, Green Box subsidies; tariffication | WTO (1995) |
| SOFI Report 2024 | 713-757M hungry; 2.33B food insecure | FAO + IFAD + UNICEF + WFP + WHO |
| Global Soil Conference 2024 | Theme: "Caring Soils Beyond Food Security" | ISSS (1934) |
| Mission Mausam | ₹2,000 Cr; 50 DWR; "Weather-Ready" nation | MoES (2024-26) |
| Global Family Farming Forum | UN Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028) | FAO + IFAD |
| Svalbard Seed Vault | 1M+ seed varieties; "doomsday vault" | Nordic Genetic Resources Centre |
| Hunger Hotspots | 22 nations; 258M acutely food insecure | FAO + WFP |
| Rosewood | CITES Appendix II; Dalbergia, Afzelia, Khaya | CITES |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Food Waste Index Report: UNEP + WRAP; 1 billion meals wasted daily; 8-10% GHG emissions; SDG 12.3 target
- WTO AoA (1995): Amber Box (MSP, input subsidies, AMS), Blue Box (production-limiting), Green Box (no limits)
- SOFI Report 2024: 5 UN agencies; 713-757M hungry; 2.33B food insecure; Africa highest (20.4%)
- Global Soil Conference 2024: ISSS (1934); 30% of India's soil degraded
- Mission Mausam: ₹2,000 Cr; 50 DWR; IMD (1875) under MoES
- Global Family Farming Forum: UN Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028); 90% of farms
- Svalbard Seed Vault: 1M+ varieties; -18°C; permafrost; World Food Prize
- Hunger Hotspots: 22 nations; 258M acutely food insecure; FAO + WFP (Nobel Peace Prize 2020)
- Rosewood: CITES Appendix II; Dalbergia latifolia, Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham)
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Miscellaneous Topics)
Q1. The Food Waste Index Report 2024 is released by which organization?
Correct Answer: C. The Food Waste Index Report is released by UNEP in collaboration with WRAP. It contributes to SDG 12.3 targets.
Q2. The WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) came into effect in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The WTO Agreement on Agriculture was negotiated during the Uruguay Round and came into effect in 1995.
Q3. Under the WTO AoA, which category of subsidies causes minimal or no trade distortion?
Correct Answer: C. Green Box subsidies cause minimal or no trade distortion and are usually non-product-specific. Examples: Research funding, disaster relief, infrastructure development.
Q4. How many people faced hunger in 2023 according to the SOFI Report?
Correct Answer: C. According to the SOFI Report 2024, between 713 and 757 million people may have faced hunger in 2023.
Q5. The Global Soil Conference 2024 was organized by which society?
Correct Answer: B. The Global Soil Conference 2024 was organized by the Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS), founded in 1934.
Q6. Mission Mausam has a budget allocation of:
Correct Answer: C. Mission Mausam was approved with a budget allocation of ₹2,000 crore for two years (2024–2026).
Q7. The Svalbard Seed Vault is located in which country?
Correct Answer: C. The Svalbard Seed Vault is situated in Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago under Norway's jurisdiction.
Q8. Which organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for combating hunger?
Correct Answer: B. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts in combating hunger and fostering peace in conflict zones.
Q9. Rosewood species are listed under which CITES Appendix?
Correct Answer: B. Rosewood species are listed under CITES Appendix II, indicating they are not immediately threatened with extinction but could be at risk if trade is not regulated.
Q10. The FAO was established on:
Correct Answer: B. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was established on October 16, 1945. Its headquarters is in Rome, Italy.