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GS Paper: GS3

  • India’s Agricultural Farm Exports data expected to reach a new high

    export

    India’s agricultural exports are poised to scale a new peak in the financial year ending March 31, 2023. But so are imports, bringing down the overall farm trade surplus.

    Agriculture trade in a nutshell

    • India’s agricultural exports are expected to reach a new high in FY 2022-23.
    • The value of farm exports from April-December 2022 was 7.9% higher than the same period of the previous year, totalling $39 billion.
    • Imports of agricultural produce have also grown 15.4% from $24.1 billion in April-December 2021 to $27.8 billion in April-December 2022, resulting in a shrinking of the overall farm trade surplus.
    • As a result, there has been a further shrinking of the surplus on the farm trade account.

    Note: This newscard provides useful insights regarding agricultural exports-import balance. Aspirants are not advised to memorize the numbers but imbibe the trend.

    Drivers of Exports

    The two big contributors to India’s agri-export growth have been rice and sugar.

    (1) Rice

    • India in 2021-22 shipped out an all-time-high 21.21 million tonnes (mt) of rice valued at $9.66 billion.
    • That included 17.26 mt of non-basmati (worth $6.12 billion) and 3.95 mt ($3.54 billion) of basmati rice.
    • In the current fiscal, the growth has been primarily led by basmati rice.
    • Its exports have gone up by 40.3% in value (from $2.38 billion in April-December 2021 to $3.34 billion in April-December 2022).
    • The corresponding increases have been less for non-basmati exports: 3.3% in value ($4.51 billion to $4.66 billion) and 4.6% in quantity (12.60 mt to 13.17 mt).

    (2) Sugars

    • Sugar exports hit a record value of $4.60 billion in 2021-22, as against $2.79 billion, $1.97 billion, $1.36 billion, and $810.90 million in the preceding four fiscals.
    • This fiscal has seen a further surge of 43.6%, from $2.78 billion in April-December 2021 to $3.99 billion in April-December 2022.
    • India exports of rice and sugar are well on course to touch, if not top, $11 billion and $6 billion respectively in 2022-23.

    Key imports

    More than a general export slowdown, it’s the growth in imports that should be cause for concern.  This has come mainly from three commodities-

    (1) Edible oils

    • The first is vegetable oils, whose imports shot up from $11.09 bn in 2020-21 to $18.99 bn in 2021-22.
    • Imports now account for over 60% of the country’s estimated 22.5-23 mt annual oil consumption.

    (2) Cotton

    • India has turned from a net exporter to a net importer of cotton.
    • India’s cotton exports reached an all-time-high of $4.33 bn back in 2011-12.
    • It remained at reasonably high levels until 2013-14 ($3.64 bn), before plunging to $1.62 bn by 2016-17 and $1.06 bn in 2019-20.
    • There was a recovery thereafter to $1.90 bn in 2020-21 and $2.82 bn in 2021-22.
    • But during this fiscal, imports have also soared from $414.59 million to $1.32 billion for the same period.

    Policy implications

    export

    • It can be seen how closely India’s farm performance is linked to international commodity prices.
    • The UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Food Price Index — having a base value of 100 for the 2014-16 period — averaged 122.5 points in 2012-13 and 119.1 points in 2013-14.
    • Those were the years when India’s agri-exports were at $42-43 billion. As the index crashed to 90-95 points in 2015-16 and 2016-17, so did exports to $33-34 billion.
    • The exports recovery in 2020-21 and 2021-22 happened along with — rather, on the back of — rising global prices and the FAO index averaging 102.5 points and 133 points in the two years.

    Inferences from this trend

    Ans. India’s farm exports will slow down in the months ahead.

    • Moreover, this could be accompanied by increased imports, as was the case from 2014-15 to 2017-18.
    • In the event, the focus of policymakers too, may have to shift from being pro-consumer (to the extent of banning/ restricting exports) to pro-producer (providing tariff protection against unbridled imports).

    Way forward

    • The government needs to do something about cotton and edible oils.
    • India’s cotton production has declined from the high of 398 lakh bales in 2013-14 to a 12-year low of 307.05 lakh bales in 2021-22.
    • Clearly, the effects of not allowing new genetic modification (GM) technologies after the first-generation Bt cotton are showing, and impacting exports as well.
    • A proactive approach is required in edible oils as well, where planting of GM hybrid mustard has been permitted with great reluctance — and which is now a matter before the Supreme Court.

     

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  • Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP)

    canal

    Rajasthan has brought up the issue of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project or ERCP before the Prime Minister.

    Why in news?

    • The Chief Minister has said that it is not possible for the state government to bear the estimated project cost of around Rs 40,000 crore by itself.
    • The state wants the Centre to declare this as a national project so that the cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and the state becomes 90:10.

    Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP)

    • ERCP was incepted with the aim of providing water to the drought-prone areas of the state.
    • It aims to harvest surplus water available during the rainy season in rivers in southern Rajasthan, such as the Chambal and its tributaries Kunnu, Parvati, and Kalisindh.
    • The project consists of the construction of two canals:
    1. Chambal Canal (which originates from the Chambal River)
    2. East Rajasthan Canal (which originates from the Mahi River)
    • The ERCP is expected to irrigate about 3.4 million hectares of agricultural land in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh states.
    • It is estimated to cost about Rs 51,000 crore and was expected to be completed by 2021.
    • The project was expected to benefit about 2.6 million farmers in Rajasthan and an additional 2.4 million in Madhya Pradesh.

    When was the ERCP conceived?

    • In the state Budget for 2017-18, then Rajasthan government had said that the ERCP will help fulfil the long-term irrigation and drinking water needs of 13 districts: Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Jaipur, Karauli, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa, and Dholpur.
    • The project was approved by the Central Water Commission in 2017.
    • The state government had sent a proposal to the central government to declare ERCP as a project having national importance.

     

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    https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/ercp-rajasthan-rivers-project-ashok-gehlot-narendra-modi-8440734/

  • Scientists discover new ‘Quasicrystals’

    quasicrystals

    Scientists have discovered a new type of quasicrystal, one with 12-fold symmetry, in the Sand Hills of north central Nebraska, USA.

    What is a Quasicrystal?

    • Quasicrystal is essentially a crystal-like substance.
    • However, unlike a crystal, in which atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern, a quasicrystal consists of atoms that are arranged in a pattern that doesn’t repeat itself regularly.
    • For the longest time, physicists believed every crystalline arrangement of atoms must have a pattern that repeats itself perfectly over and over again.
    • However, this changed in 1982, when material scientist Dan Shechtman discovered crystal structures that are mathematically regular, but that do not repeat themselves.

    How are they formed?

    • Electrical discharge triggered quasicrystal formation in the recent finding.
    • It’s also the first time that researchers have found a quasicrystal somewhere other than meteorites or the debris from nuclear blasts.

    Applications of quasicrystals

    • There is no major commercial applications yet exploit properties of the quasicrystalline state directly.
    • Quasicrystals form in compounds noted for their high strength and light weight, suggesting potential applications in aerospace and other industries.
    • They can be used in surgical instruments, LED lights and non-stick frying pans.

     

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  • In news: Agasthyarkoodam Observatory

    agasthyarkoodam

    Agasthyarkoodam was once home to a forgotten and long-lost 19th-century observatory established by Scottish meteorologist John Allan Broun.

    Agasthyarkoodam Observatory

    • The Agasthyarkoodam Observatory is an astronomical research observatory located in the state of Kerala.
    • The observatory is situated at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level and is owned and operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).
    • The observatory is equipped with a 1-meter optical telescope and various other instruments for studying the night sky.
    • The observatory is used for research and educational purposes and is open to the public for viewing night-sky objects.

    Why in news?

    • Agasthyarkoodam in the Western Ghats once housed a magnetic observatory that was established by Scottish meteorologist John Allan Broun.
    • Broun used it to record magnetic and meteorological observations in tandem with the Thiruvananthapuram astronomical observatory.
    • Broun’s astronomical research in India began after he was invited by the ruler of the erstwhile Travancore Uthram Tirunal Marthanda Varma to helm the Thiruvananthapuram observatory following the death of its first director John Caldecott in 1849.
    • The observatory started recording observations in July 1855.
    • However, it was closed in 1881 by the then Madras Governor Sir William Denison.

    What are magnetic observatories?

    • Magnetic observatories continuously measure and record Earth’s magnetic field at a number of locations.
    • In an observatory of this sort, magnetized needles with reflecting mirrors are suspended by quartz fibres.
    • Light beams reflected from the mirrors are imaged on a photographic negative mounted on a rotating drum.
    • Variations in the field cause corresponding deflections on the negative.
    • Their magnetograms are photographed on microfilm and submitted to world data centres, where they are available for scientific or practical use.

     

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  • What is Solar Prominence?

    solar

    Recently, the sun puzzled many scientists with a large prominence near its north pole.

    What is Solar Prominence?

    • A solar prominence (also known as a filament when viewed against the solar disk) is a large, bright feature extending outward from the Sun’s surface.
    • Prominences are anchored to the Sun’s surface in the photosphere, and extend outwards into the Sun’s hot outer atmosphere, called the corona.
    • A prominence forms over timescales of about a day, and stable prominences may persist in the corona for several months, looping hundreds of thousands of miles into space.

    How are they formed?

    • Scientists are still researching how and why prominences are formed.
    • The red-glowing looped material is plasma, a hot gas comprised of electrically charged hydrogen and helium.
    • The prominence plasma flows along a tangled and twisted structure of magnetic fields generated by the sun’s internal dynamo.
    • An erupting prominence occurs when such a structure becomes unstable and bursts outward, releasing the plasma.

     

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  • Marine pollution: An Alarming Situation

    Marine

    Context

    • A significant portion of single-use plastic gets piled up on coastlines and contributes to the growing burden of marine litter, endangering aquatic biodiversity. In India, anthropogenic activities add approximately eight million tonnes of plastic waste to the marine environment.

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    Plastic pollution menace

    • The demand for plastic products has grown drastically in the last few decades: The possible reasons for this dramatic surge can be attributed to its durability, flexibility, lightness and affordability.
    • Plastic production and generation: Globally, the annual production of plastic reached 460 million tonnes in 2019 and 353 million tonnes of plastic waste were also generated in the same year.
    • Approximately 50% is dumped in landfills: Approximately 50 per cent of plastic waste generated in the same year was dumped in landfills, according to the Organization for Economic Corporation and Development.
    • First use plastic: In 2021-22, India’s plastic demand was 20.89 million tonnes. About 40 per cent of this gets added to plastic waste after the first use, a Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment had found.

    Key sources of Marine pollution

    • Land based sources: Land-based sources such as dumpsites located near the coastlines or banks of a river, flood waters, industrial outfalls, discharge from storm water drains, untreated municipal sewerage, beach litter, tourism, fishing, ship breaking yards, defence-related facilities, automobiles, industrial wastes, natural events, etc are the main factors contributing to the menace of marine litter.
    • Sea based sources: In addition to this, sea-based sources such as waste from ships, fishing vessels and other public transport and research facilities; offshore mining and extraction; legal and illegal waste dumping; ghost nets, natural events, etc add to it.

    Marine

    Alarming situation

    • There may be more plastic than fish in oceans by 2050: Tributaries of major Indian rivers also carry around 15-20 per cent of plastic waste into the marine environment. If this trend continues, there may be more plastic than fish in oceans by 2050, warned many recent researchers on this front.
    • Microplastics in food chain: Marine debris can transcend international borders and disperse to faraway locations from its place of origin. Since marine species consume microplastics, they can eventually sweep into our food chain.
    • Bioaccumulation of chemicals endangers Human health: Additionally, leached chemicals may also bioaccumulate in these species and endanger human health.

    Marine

    Government efforts so far

    • Banned single use plastic: From July 1, 2022, the Union government banned the manufacturing, selling, use and storage of 19 identified single-use plastic items. Still, the ban is not effective as prohibited items have been found in use in almost every Indian city.
    • Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): The central and state governments have already allocated a SBM and disbursed more than Rs 3,000 crore on public awareness campaigns and coastal area cleaning drives.
    • Coastal cleaning programme: The National Centre for Coastal Research, a body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, led a coastal cleaning programme covering 7,500 kilometres.

    Did you know?

    • Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar, a 75-day citizen-led campaign for improving ocean health through collective action, was launched on July 5, 2022.
    • It has three strategic underlying goals that target transformation and environmental protection through behaviour change.
    • The three underlying goals of the campaign are, consume responsibly, segregate waste at home and dispose of it responsibly.

    Way forward

    • Enlisting multi-layered plastic packaging in banned list: The government needs to enlist multi-layered plastic packaging items in the list of banned items; only 19 plastic items have been considered as of now.
    • Effective enforcement: Effective enforcement and penalty against defaulters is required as the government has already spent a lot on public awareness campaigns in the last six year.
    • Strict monitoring of CRZ: There should be strict implementation and monitoring of Coastal Regulation Zone and Special Area Planning guidelines in order to curb haphazard constructions along the coastlines. A National Marine Litter Policy needs to be formulated as early as possible.

    Marine

    Conclusion

    • A long-term vision plan should be developed for promoting partnerships among coastal towns, cities and urban administration for the reduction of marine litter and the creation of sustainable waste management ecosystems. Marine litter is complicated and a multi-layered problem has to be arrested at the earliest to safeguard the health of humans as well as the environment.

    Mains question

    Q. Marine litter is complicated and a multi-layered problem has to be arrested at the earliest to safeguard the health of humans as well as the environment. Discuss.

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  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare: Applications, Concerns and regulations

    AI

    Context

    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) was regarded as a revolutionary technology around the early 21st century. Although it has encountered its rise and fall, currently its rapid and pervasive applications have been termed the second coming of AI. It is employed in a variety of sectors, and there is a drive to create practical applications that may improve our daily lives and society. Healthcare is a highly promising, but also a challenging domain for AI.

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    ChatGPT: The latest model

    • While still in its early stages, AI applications are rapidly evolving.
    • For instance, ChatGPT is a large language model (LLM) that utilizes deep learning techniques that are trained on text data.
    • This model has been used in a variety of applications, including language translation, text summarisation, conversation generation, text-to-text generation and others.

    AI

    What is Artificial Intelligence?

    • AI is a constellation of technologies that enable machines to act with higher levels of intelligence and emulate the human capabilities of sense, comprehend and act.
    • The natural language processing and inference engines can enable AI systems to analyze and understand the information collected.
    • An AI system can also take action through technologies such as expert systems and inference engines or undertake actions in the physical world.
    • These human-like capabilities are augmented by the ability to learn from experience and keep adapting over time.
    • AI systems are finding ever-wider application to supplement these capabilities across various sectors.

    AI

    Concerns of Using AI tools in medical field

    • The potential for misinformation to be generated: As the model is trained on a large volume of data, it may inadvertently include misinformation in its responses. This could lead to patients receiving incorrect or harmful medical advice, potentially leading to serious health consequences.
    • The potential for bias to be introduced into the results: As the model is trained on data, it may perpetuate existing biases and stereotypes, leading to inaccurate or unfair conclusions in research studies as well as in routine care.
    • Ethical concerns: In addition, AI tools’ ability to generate human-like text can also raise ethical concerns in various sectors such as in the research field, education, journalism, law, etc.
    • For example: The model can be used to generate fake scientific papers and articles, which can potentially deceive researchers and mislead the scientific community.

    AI

    AI tools should be used with caution considering the context

    • Governance framework: The governance framework can help manage the potential risks and harms by setting standards, monitoring and enforcing policies and regulations, providing feedback and reports on their performance, and ensuring development and deployment with respect to ethical principles, human rights, and safety considerations.
    • Ensuring the awareness about possible negative consequences: Additionally, governance frameworks can promote accountability and transparency by ensuring that researchers and practitioners are aware of the possible negative consequences of implementing this paradigm and encouraging them to employ it responsibly.
    • A platform for dialogue and exchange of information: The deployment of a governance framework can provide a structured approach for dialogue and facilitate the exchange of information and perspectives among stakeholders, leading to the development of more effective solutions to the problem.

    AI

    Approach for the effective implementation of AI regulation in healthcare

    • Relational governance model into the AI governance framework: Relational governance is a model that considers the relationships between various stakeholders in the governance of AI.
    • Establishing international agreements and standards: At the international level, relational governance in AI in healthcare (AI-H) can be facilitated through the establishment of international agreements and standards. This includes agreements on data privacy and security, as well as ethical and transparent AI development.
    • Use of AI in responsible manner across borders: By establishing a common understanding of the responsibilities of each stakeholder in AI governance, international collaboration can help to ensure that AI is used in a consistent and responsible manner across borders.
    • Government regulations at national level: At the national level, relational governance in AI-H can be implemented through government regulations and policies that reflect the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. This includes laws and regulations on data privacy and security, as well as policies that encourage the ethical and transparent use of AI-H.
    • Regular monitoring and strict compliance mechanism: Setting up periodic monitoring/auditing systems and enforcement mechanisms, and imposing sanctions on the industry for noncompliance with the legislation can all help to promote the appropriate use of AI.
    • Education and awareness at the user level: Patients and healthcare providers should be informed about the benefits and risks of AI, as well as their rights and responsibilities in relation to AI use. This can help to build trust and confidence in AI systems, and encourage the responsible use of AI-H.
    • Industry-led initiatives and standards at the industry level: The relational governance in AI-H can be promoted through industry-led initiatives and standards. This includes establishing industry standards and norms (for example, International Organization for Standardization) based on user requirements (healthcare providers, patients, and governments), as well as implementing data privacy and security measures in AI systems.

    Conclusion

    • India’s presidency of the G20 summit provides a platform to initiate dialogue on AI regulation and highlight the need for the implementation of AI regulations in healthcare. The G20 members can collaborate to create AI regulation, considering the unique needs and challenges of the healthcare sector. The set of measures, carried out at various levels, need to assure that AI systems are regularly reviewed and updated and ensure that they remain effective and safe for patients.

    Mains question

    Q. Use of AI in Healthcare is highly promising but also a challenging domain. Discuss. Suggest what should be the right approach for AI regulation in Healthcare?

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  • Discovery of Lithium Deposits in J&K

    lithium

    The Geological Survey of India found “inferred resources” of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir.

    What is Lithium?

    • Lithium is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3.
    • It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal and is the lightest metal on the periodic table.
    • It is used in a variety of applications, including batteries, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, and nuclear weapons.

    What are Inferred Resources?

    • According to the mines and minerals act, the exploration for any mineral deposit involves four stages: reconnaissance survey (G4), preliminary exploration (G3), general exploration (G2) and detailed exploration (G1).
    • Resources identified after G4 are called ‘reconnaissance mineral resource”, those identified after G3 are “inferred mineral resource”, G2 leads to “indicated mineral resource” and G4 precedes “measured mineral resource.”

    Applications of Lithium

    • Lithium-ion batteries: Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in consumer electronics such as laptops, cellphones, and portable music players due to their high energy density and low self-discharge rate.
    • Pharmaceuticals: Lithium is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other mental health disorders. It can be used to treat symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and aggression.
    • Heat transfer fluids: Lithium is used as a heat transfer fluid in nuclear power plants, as it can absorb and store large amounts of heat.
    • Air conditioning: Lithium-based compounds are used in air conditioning systems to absorb and store heat, which helps to cool air.
    • Alloy production: Lithium is used to produce lightweight alloys for aircraft and spacecraft, as well as components for other vehicles.
    • Grease lubricants: Lithium-based grease lubricants are used in automotive and industrial applications due to their high temperature and pressure tolerance.

    Significance of this discovery

    • Clean energy goals: This has raised hopes of India possibly developing its own source of a metal key to its clean energy goals.
    • Import cuts: It would reduce the need for imports. The government was taking several measures to secure minerals, including lithium, from Australia and Argentina.
    • Enhance battery production: The find is a major boost to the manufacture of rechargeable batteries for smartphones, laptops and electric cars.

    Back2Basics: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

    • It is an Act of the Parliament enacted to regulate the mining sector in India.
    • It regulates all activities related to the prospecting for, extraction and disposal of minerals in India.
    • The Act was amended in 2015 to incorporate the changes brought about by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015.
    • The amendment Act has been enacted to ensure that the mining sector is developed in a sustainable and efficient manner, taking into account the interests of stakeholders including the local communities.
    • The Act also provides for the sharing of revenues between the Union and the States.

    Types of Minerals Covered

    • Metallic Minerals: Iron ore, manganese ore, chrome ore, bauxite, copper ore, gold ore, lead ore, zinc ore, etc.
    • Non-Metallic Minerals: Mica, limestone, dolomite, gypsum, phosphorite, graphite, quartz, sandstone, etc.
    • Atomic Minerals: Uranium, thorium, and other radioactive minerals.
    • Fossil Fuels: Oil, natural gas, coal, etc.
    • Minor Minerals: Building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand, etc.

     

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  • In news: Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

    delhi

    Photos of the soon-to-be-inaugurated Delhi-Mumbai Expressway have gone viral, receiving widespread appreciation online.

    Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

    • The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is a proposed 1380 km expressway that will link the capital city of Delhi to Mumbai, India.
    • The expressway is being planned as a six-lane expressway and will pass through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
    • Started in 2018, the project is set to be completed by the end of 2023.
    • The expressway is expected to reduce the travel time between Delhi and Mumbai by up to 12 hours.
    • The expressway will also have several rest stops and will be equipped with advanced technology such as electronic toll collection, smart traffic management and surveillance systems.
    • The expressway will be built in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

    Some basic details

    • The expressway is being constructed with an initial budget of INR 98,000 crore.
    • According to claims by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, it will reduce the distance between Delhi and Mumbai by 180 km (from 1424 km to 1242 km).
    • Depending on the volume of traffic the expressway sees, there are plans in place to expand it to a 12-lane expressway in the future.
    • The reduction in distance and travel time is set to result in annual fuel savings of more than 320 million litres and reduce CO2 emissions by 850 million kg.

    Some unique features

    • Importantly, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is set to introduce certain features seldom seen in road construction in India.
    • According to claims from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the expressway will boast of a state-of-art traffic management system.
    • There will also be a dedicated three metre wide corridor for laying utility lines including fibre optic cables, pipelines as well as solar power generation.
    • The expressway will also have provisions for rain water harvesting at intervals of 500 m, with over 2000+ water recharge points.

    Provisions for wildlife conservation

    • A crucial feature of the project will be its provisions for “wildlife conservation”.
    • The expressway is the first in Asia and only the second in the world to feature animal overpasses and underpasses to facilitate unrestricted movement of wildlife.
    • Furthermore, the expressway has been aligned in a way to minimize the destruction of protected forests.
    • Two iconic 8-lane tunnels will also be built, one through Mukundra sanctuary without disturbing the endangered fauna in the region and the second through the Matheran eco-sensitive zone.
    • A 3 ft tall boundary wall and sound barriers will also be constructed in sections prone to wildlife.

     

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  • Pulses: The sustainable crops

    sustainable

    Context

    • The United Nations General Assembly endorsed the request made by the Government of Burkina Faso regarding the annual observance of World Pulses Day on 10 February at its 73rd session in December 2018, building on the success of the 2016 International Year of Pulses, with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) playing a leading role in the campaign.

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    sustainable

    Theme for World pulses day 2023

    • The 2023 World Pulses Day’s theme is Pulses for a Sustainable Future, which underlines the significance of pulses in fostering equity and generating chances for livelihood, both of which are essential elements of sustainable agrifood systems.

    sustainable

    In short: All you need to know about Pulses

    • Major pulses that are grown in India: Tur, urad, moong, masur, peas and gram.
    • Chief Characteristics:
    • Pulses are the major sources of protein in a vegetarian diet.
    • Being leguminous crops, all the above-mentioned pulses (except tur) help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air.
    • These crops are mostly grown in rotation with other crops.
    • Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions.
    • Important Producing Areas: The major pulse producing areas are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is grown on about 11% of the total sown area in India.
    • India is largest producer and consumer: India is the largest producer as well as consumer of pulses in the world. About 25% of the pulses of the world are produced here.

    sustainable

    In Depth: Why pulses are important?

    • Pulses withstand drought: Pulses have a lower water footprint than other food crops and are better able to withstand drought and climate-related calamities making them a crucial tool for adjusting to and reducing climate change.
    • Help farmers in water scarce region: They also help farmers in water-scarce regions have a better quality of lives.
    • Can help to increase productivity and livelihood: In a number of farming systems, including agroforestry, intercropping, and integrated farming systems, pulses can help to increase productivity and improve the resilience of agricultural livelihoods.
    • Pulses ensures wholesome food and sustainable use of natural resources: The global pulses industry which deals with the production and trade of pulses also demonstrates to be a beneficial force in ensuring the stability of regional and global supply chains, enabling consumers to access wholesome foods, and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
    • Most Valuable Player for Health: Pulse grains have been acknowledged as being a “Most Valuable Player” in preventing obesity, lowering chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and fostering a varied microbiome in children who are at risk of stunting during the first 1,000 days of their life.
    • Two to three times as much protein as cereals: Pulses are a great choice for populations with diets low in protein because they contain two to three times as much protein as cereals.
    • Pulses provide a number of other assets to the climate change battle: They lessen the requirement for fertiliser throughout the entire crop cycle and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
    • Help to achieve SDG’s: A significant advantage in a changing climate is that many pulse crops are evolved to grow in arid circumstances and can withstand drought stress better than most other crops. Thus, achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, and 13 which call for improved human health, sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate action.

    sustainable

    Pulse consumption in India

    • Imports are necessary because of insufficient production: India is currently the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, but because production is insufficient to meet demand, imports are necessary.
    • India’s demand for pulses has steadily increased: In keeping with the government’s measures to expand pulse production to meet domestic demand, the volume of imports has consistently decreased since 2014-15.
    • National Food Security Mission-Pulses programme: To increase the production of pulses, the Government of India is implementing National Food Security Mission-Pulses programme across 644 districts of 28 States and Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
    • In Indian diets, pulses are a crucial source of protein: Children, adolescent girls, and pregnant and lactating women receive half of the recommended dietary requirement of protein through the Government of India’s food security programmes.

    Way ahead

    • Pulses to combat malnutrition: Pulses can be included to cereal-based meals to help combat malnutrition. There is evidence to support the fact that people who eat pulses more frequently are more nutrient-secure.
    • For example: During the pandemic, 5 kg of rice/wheat and 1 kg of selected pulses were provided to the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.
    • PDS can be utilised for better accessibility and affordability: As a matter of policy, the PDS should offer pulses at discounted prices to increase their accessibility and affordability to vulnerable population.
    • For instance: Some states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, have been successful in distributing pulses under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

    Conclusion

    • India is moving closer to Aatmnirbharta on pulses with consistent efforts by the government. It is vital to raise awareness about the benefits of eating pulses that are high in macronutrients for both sustainability and dietary needs.

    Mains question

    Q. India is expanding its pulse production to meet domestic demand. In this light discuss what makes pulses a significant crop?

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