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  • Monsoon onset over Kerala delayed: IMD

    • The monsoon’s arrival over Kerala has been delayed to June 3, according to an update by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
    • Private weather forecast agency, Skymet, however, said that the monsoon had arrived.
    • This was because two of the three criteria — as defined by the IMD — had been met.
    • Currently, IMD’s own data indicated that except for the OLR, the other criteria were met. Thus, there is an element of subjectivity in arrival.

    What are those criterias defined by IMD?

    1. Rain-bearing westerlies being at a minimum depth and speed;
    2. At least 60% of the available 14 stations in Kerala and coastal Karnataka, reporting rainfall of 2.5 mm or more for two consecutive days after May 10;
    3. A certain degree of clouding, indicated by a parameter called ‘outgoing long wave radiation’ (OLR), being below 200 W/square meter.

    What is meant by ‘Outgoing Long Wave Radiation’ (OLR)?

    • Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR) is electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths from 3–100 μm emitted from Earth and its atmosphere out to space in the form of thermal radiation.
    • It is also referred to as up-welling long-wave radiation and terrestrial long-wave flux, among others.
    • The flux of energy transported by outgoing long-wave radiation is measured in W/m.
    • In the Earth’s climate system, long-wave radiation involves processes of absorption, scattering, and emissions from atmospheric gases, aerosols, clouds and the surface.
    • Over 99% of outgoing long-wave radiation has wavelengths between 4 μm and 100 μm, in the thermal infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

    Factors responsible for south-west monsoon formation:

    1. Intense heating of Tibetan plateau during summer months.
    2. Permanent high pressure cell in the South Indian Ocean (east to north-east of Madagascar in summer).

    Factors that influence the onset of south-west monsoons:

    1. Above points +
    2. Subtropical Jet Stream (STJ).
    3. Tropical Easterly Jet (African Easterly Jet).
    4. Inter Tropical Convergence Zone.

    Factors that influence the intensity of south-west monsoons:

    1. Strengths of Low pressure over Tibet and high pressure over southern Indian Ocean.
    2. Somali Jet (Findlater Jet).
    3. Somali Current (Findlater Current).
    4. Indian Ocean branch of Walker Cell.
    5. Indian Ocean Dipole.

    Factors responsible for north-east monsoon formation:

    1. Formation and strengthening of high pressure cells over Tibetan plateau and Siberian Plateau in winter.
    2. Westward migration and subsequent weakening of high pressure cell in the Southern Indian Ocean.
    3. Migration of ITCZ to the south of India.

  • ‘Bell of Faith’ launched by Kerala for senior citizens

    The ‘Bell of Faith’ scheme will now be implemented for senior citizens staying alone in villages. Scheme to cover 250 houses in city in the first phase.

    What is the ‘Bell of Faith’ scheme all about?

    • It is a safety project conceived under Kerala’s Community Policing Scheme.
    • It will help elderly citizens attract the attention of their neighbours using a loud, remote-controlled alarm in emergencies.
    • It has been under implementation in Kerala since 2018.
    • A welfare fund of ₹3.5 crore sanctioned by the State government would be used for the initiative that gives preference to those staying alone in their houses.
    • In the first phase, around 250 houses selected by the local Janamaithri scheme coordinators will be covered under the scheme

    Significance of the Project:

    • It sets an example for community participation to ensure the well-being and safety of the elderly.
    • It can be of great support for the aged during the COVID-19 pandemic as many live in fear for their health.
    • The electronic bells, installed free of cost with wireless control mechanism, will help senior citizens in quickly seeking the support of neighbours during emergencies.

  • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

    West African leaders were due to meet in Ghana to discuss a response to Mali’s second coup in nine months.

    • Since 1960, when Mali gained independence from France, there have been five coups — and only one peaceful transition from one democratically elected president to another.
    • But on Monday, soldiers detained transitional President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, releasing them on Thursday while saying that they had resigned.

    Recent coup

    • Nine months ago, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was overthrown in the wake of mass anti-government protests.
    • Last week, the announcement of a new cabinet was made that excluded two key military leaders. Following this, the army has detained the President and the Prime Minister.

    About ECOWAS

    • The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen countries, founded in 1975 via the treaty of Lagos.
    • Mission: To promote economic integration in “all fields of economic activity, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial questions, social and cultural matters.
    • Vision: Creation of a borderless region where the population has access to its abundant resources and is able to exploit same through the creation of opportunities under a sustainable environment.
    • ECOWAS can be divided into two sub-regional blocs:
    1. West African Economic and Monetary Union – established in 1994
    2. West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) – established in 2000
    • ECOWAS is meant to be a region governed in accordance with the principles of democracy, rule of law and good governance.
    • The member countries of ECOWAS comprises: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’ Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo.

  • Statehood Day of Goa

    On 18 December 1961, the Indian government took military action against the Portuguese rule in Goa culminating in the liberation of Goa and its merger with the Indian Union.

    About Goa

    • Goa is located on the southwestern coast of India within the region known as the Konkan, and geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats.
    • Capital: Panji.
    • Official Language: Konkani which is one of the 22 languages from the Eight Schedule.
    • Borders: It is surrounded by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast.

    History:

    • Portugal conquered Goa in 1510 and made it a colony.
    • In 1950, the Indian government, in a bid to start diplomatic measures to free Goa, asked the Portuguese government to start negotiations for the independence of Goa. However, Portugal refused.
    • The Goan movement was supported by Indian independence leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
    • Dadra and Nagar Haveli was annexed by India in 1954 with the support of the United Front of Goans, the Azad Gomantak Dal and the National Movement Liberation Organisation.
    • The commander of the Indian forces was Major-General K.P. Candeth. The operation for Goa liberation was codenamed “Operation Vijay”.
    • After the fall of Goa, Portugal terminated all diplomatic relations with India and only in 1974 Portugal recognise Goa as a part of India and resume diplomatic relations.
    • The USSR had steadfastly supported India in this matter and also vetoed a resolution condemning the Indian invasion in the UN Security Council.

    Geography:

    • The highest point of Goa is Sonsogor.
    • Goa’s seven major rivers are the Zuari, Mandovi, Terekhol, Chapora, Galgibag, Kumbarjua canal, Talpona and the Sal.
    • Most of Goa’s soil cover is made up of laterites.

  • Daily Answer Writing Enhancement (AWE) Program is Back || Last 2 days to Enroll for the Months of June and July

    Click here to JOIN the AWE PROGRAM.

    UPSC CSE Prelims Examination, 2021 has been postponed. This is a great opportunity to sharpen your Answer writing skills.

    In view of the available time of 2 months, we are back with Daily AWE Program. If you are a student who wants to simultaneously carry out prelims and mains preparation then AWE is a perfect course for you.

    Let’s keep the momentum going. 

    Answer writing practices through Civilsdaily’s Daily AWE program can reduce test anxiety and helps you ace the GS Mains answer writing. And what is a better way to practice for UPSC Mains Examinations than attempting Questions which are the closest to the demands of the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination? The more you are accustomed to sitting for a period of time, answering questions, and pacing yourself, the more comfortable you will feel when you actually sit down to take the real UPSC Mains examinations yourself.

    We are working hard to make the program more featureful, highlight the best answers, show the competency levels of students.

    Click here to JOIN the AWE PROGRAM.

    WHAT THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:

    • Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you. A sample 2 week schedule is available below.
    • A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
    • You can write your answer on the same day and attached a scanned copy. Within 72 hours, a review of your answer will be provided.
    • Also, write the Razor payment ID, when you attached your answer.
    • If you are writing answers late, then please tag the mentor, to let him know about your submission. These answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

    ABOUT THE MENTOR:

    Swatantra Sir

    Swatantra Sir has firsthand experience of appearing in UPSC mains and interview. He has good command over General studies papers. Previously, he has worked as a Data Scientist in an IT firm.

    Click here to JOIN the AWE PROGRAM.

    SCHEDULE:

    Here is the schedule for the first 2 weeks of June to give you an idea about how we will follow your Syllabus:

    For Course enrollment details, click the link given below.

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  • Different types of fungus due to Covid

    Context

    As India is still reeling under the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, Black, White and Yellow Fungus infections have brought along unending woes, pressuring the already stressed healthcare system. These fungal infections have been attributed to COVID-19 and led to prolonged morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients

    Black Fungus

    What is black fungus (Mucormycosis)?

    • Mucormycosis, previously known as zygomycosis and sometimes called black fungus, is a serious fungal infection, generally in people with less ability to fight infection.
    • Mucormycosis is a rare but serious infection that is caused by a group of moulds called mucormycetes.
    • It mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness.
    • It reduces the ability to fight environmental pathogens.
    • It can also happen on the skin after a burn, cut or other type of skin wound through which the fungus enters the skin. It can also affect the brain
    • People having co-morbities, variconazole therapy, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression by steroids or prolonged ICU stay can get predisposed to the fungal infection.

    Types of Mucormycosis

    • Sinuses and brain (rhinocerebral): Most common in people with poorly controlled diabetes and in people who have had a kidney transplant.
    • Lungs (pulmonary): The most common type of mucormycosis in people with cancer and in people who have had an organ transplant or a stem cell transplant.
    • Stomach and intestine (gastrointestinal): More common among young premature and low birth weight infants, who have had antibiotics, surgery, or medications that lower the body’s ability to fight infection.
    • Skin (cutaneous): After a burn, or other skin injury, in people with leukaemia, poorly controlled diabetes, Graft-versus-host disease, HIV and intravenous drug use.
    • Widespread (disseminated): When the infection spreads to other organs via the blood.

    Symptoms of Mucormycosis

    The symptoms of Black Fungus infection are:

    For Brain Mucormycosis

    1- One-sided facial swelling
    2- Headache
    3- Nasal or sinus congestion
    4- Black lesions on nasal bridge or upper inside of the mouth
    5- Fever

    For Pulmonary Mucormycosis

    1- Fever
    2- Cough
    3- Chest pain
    4- Shortness of breath

    For Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis

    1- Abdominal pain
    2- Nausea and vomiting
    3- Gastrointestinal bleeding

    Who are at risk of getting infected with Black Fungus?

    1- Diabetes
    2- Cancer
    3- Organ transplant
    4- Stem cell transplant
    5- Neutropenia 
    6- Long-term corticosteroid use
    7- Hemochromatosis (excess of iron)
    8- Skin injury due to surgery, burns, or wounds
    9- Pre-maturity 
    10- Low birth weight 

    Where are these fungi found?

    • Mucormycosis is caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. It is naturally found in air, water and even food.
    • It enters the body through fungal spores from the air or can also occur on skin after a cut, burn, or skin injury.

    Mucormycosis affecting COVID-19 patients

    • Patients who have high levels of diabetes are at a higher risk of contracting covid-19. When this occurs, they are treated with steroids which compromises their immunity.
    • According to doctors, steroids can prove to be a trigger for mucormycosis. While steroids help in reducing inflammation in lungs they can decrease immunity and increase blood sugar levels in both diabetics and non-diabetic covid-19 patients alike.
    • Medicines used in treating Covid-19 tend to bring down the count of lymphocytes.
    • Lymphocytes are one of the three types of white blood cells whose job is to defend our body against disease-causing pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
    • The reduced count of lymphocytes leads to a medical condition called lymphopenia, making way for opportunistic fungal infection in Covid-19 patients.

    Treatment

    • While it is treated with antifungals, mucormycosis may eventually require surgery.
    • To maintain adequate systemic hydration, the treatment includes infusion of normal saline (IV) before infusion of amphotericin B and antifungal therapy, for at least 4-6 weeks.

    Life after surgery for mucormycosis

    • Mucormycosis can lead to loss of the upper jaw and sometimes even the eye.
    • Be it the eye or upper jaw, these can be replaced with appropriate artificial substitutes or prostheses.

    Yellow Fungus

    • Yellow Fungus, dangerous than white or black fungus, is another fungal infection that has been attributed to COVID-19. Health experts say it is a fatal infection.
    • Yellow Fungus is commonly found in reptiles.
    • Yellow fungus initially develops by the presence of moulds (a type of fungi) in the environment. It may be present with unnecessary fatigue, rashes, burning sensation on skin etc.
    • It may not start from the lungs but it invades internal organs of the body and affects the entire functioning.

    Potential causes of yellow fungus

    • Prolonged use of steroid.
    • Contaminated environment.
    • Uncontrolled diabetes.
    • Unhygienic or dirty surroundings.
    • Unhygienic habits.
    • Lesser immunity.
    • Co-morbidities.

    Symptoms of Yellow Fungus

    • Weight loss
    • Reduced appetite
    • Lethargy
    • Pus leakage
    • Sunken eyes
    • Organ failure

    Treatment

    • Like mucormycosis, the treatment for yellow fungus is Amphoteracin-B injection

    Prevention

    • Keep your room, home and surroundings as clean as possible
    • Remove stale food and fecal matter immediately to check bacterial and fungal growth.
    • Keep the humidity of the room and home under check as excessive humidity promotes bacteria growth. Just like for Covid patients maintaining clean air flow inside the room and homes is necessary.
    • Coronavirus positive patients must immediately start treatment so complications like yellow fungus do not develop.

    White Fungus

    • White Fungus or Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida.
    • Candida normally lives on the skin and inside the body, in places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing any problems.
    • Candida can cause infections if it grows out of control or if it enters deep into the body (for example, the bloodstream or internal organs like the kidney, heart, or brain).
    • The most common species that causes infection is Candida albicans.
    • Patients of white fungus show Covid-like symptoms but test negative; the infection can be diagnosed through CT-Scan or X-ray.

    Cause

    • This infection can be caused due to low immunity, or if people come in contact with things that contain these moulds like water, etc.
    • Children and women are more at risk of contracting the fungal infection.
    • Like the black fungus, white fungus is also more likely to afflict people with compromised immune systems, pre-existing medical conditions, AIDS, a recent kidney transplant or diabetes.

    Symptoms

    • People experience symptoms similar to Covid if it reaches the lungs such as chest infection, despite testing negative for the virus.
    • White fungus affects the lungs as well as other parts of the body including the nails, skin, stomach, kidney, brain, private parts and mouth.

    Diagnosis/Treatment

    • CT scans or X-Rays can reveal the condition.
    • Patients with the white fungus are currently being treated with known anti-fungal medication.

    Prevention

    • Special caution is required of moulds in water that can lead to infection.
    • Proper sanitation is very important.

    Way Forward

    • Use of Steroids must be curbed down in the treatment of Covid to prevent low immunity in patients.
    • The fungus must be dealt as a pandemic and not just a regular post Covid complication.
    • All necessary medicines needed for the treatment of above mentioned Fungus must be made available in the hospital.
    • Government should run awareness campaigns about these funguses as a preventive measure.

  • Data is an essential weapon against Covid

    The article highlights how data played an important role in decision-making in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. 

    Importance of data in decision making

    • The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted globally how important data is to governments in decision-making.
    • Epidemiological data is of paramount significance for targeting and implementing control measures for public health in a timely manner
    • Such data was used effectively in the evidence-based response and decision-making in countries like South Korea.
    • Modern response to pandemics has focused on exploiting all the available data to inform policy action in real time.

    How data analysis helped during pandemic

    • Data analysis has revealed the need for continuous and repeated tracking of case numbers, fatalities and recoveries.
    • The epidemiological concept of flattening the curve and its predictions are results of data analysis and modelling.
    • Understanding testing adequacy or lack thereof allows us to measure our preparedness, prognostic versus diagnostic ability, and shape our responses to identify, manage, and care for new cases.
    • Epidemic outbreak data like case data, medical and treatment data can be used to understand disease pathogenesis and severity.
    • Genome sequencing surveillance helps identify and track viral genome sequence variants in real time and the evolution of the virus.
    •  The concept of open access to various data enables models to improve forecast and study the spread of the disease.’

    Integration and analysis of multiple datatypes

    • The integration and analysis of multiple heterogeneous datatypes eventually would yield a holistic picture.
    • This helps guide policy decisions for control and management of public health.
    • When genome surveillance data is correlated with the magnitude of cases and their outcomes, then we can understand the transmissibility or infectivity of the virus.
    • Geographical mapping of prevalence of mutants allows us to understand viral spread and explain recoveries or deaths in a specific area.
    • The roll out of vaccinations can shape viral evolution and drug-treatment strategies.
    • Surveillance through studying genome sequencing of the virus, coupled to other epidemiological data allows us to identify these connections.

    Challenges

    • Part of the challenge lies in the standardisation of data collection, curation, annotation and the integration of data analytics pipelines for outbreak analytics.

    Way forward

    • Ensuring data availability and quality under operational constraints is critical.
    • The use of data standards instils consistency, reduces errors and enables transparency.
    • Embedded in the idea of data sharing lies the concept of data security and confidentiality.
    • Concerns of privacy and security calls for a systemic infrastructure with built-in safeguards to ensure data encryption while preserving anonymity and ensuring privacy.
    • As our dependence on data-based decisions becomes more and more critical, an urgent charter for standardised digital health data in India is required.

    Consider the question “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted globally how important data is to governments in decision-making. Explain how data helps in decision making and challenges in evidence-based decision making based on data.”

    Conclusion

    Rational and scientific methods necessitate data without which neither can we have information, nor knowledge or wisdom. Data sharing, and transparency and timely dissemination of data are critical to overcome the pandemic.

  • Mid Day Meal Scheme

    The Centre has decided to give about ₹100 each to children studying in Class 1 to Class 8 in government schools, who are beneficiaries of the Mid Day Meal scheme.

    Mid Day Meal Scheme

    • The Midday Meal Scheme is a school meal programme in India designed to better the nutritional standing of school-age children nationwide.
    • It is a wholesome freshly-cooked lunch served to children in government and government-aided schools in India.
    • The programme supplies free lunches on working days for children in primary and upper primary classes in government, government-aided, local body and alternate innovative education centres, Madarsa and Maqtabs.
    • Serving 120,000,000 children in over 1,265,000 schools and Education Guarantee Scheme centres, it is the largest of its kind in the world.
    • The programme has undergone many changes since its launch in 1995. The Midday Meal Scheme is covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013.

    The scheme aims to:

    1. avoid classroom hunger
    2. increase school enrolment
    3. increase school attendance
    4. improve socialization among castes
    5. address malnutrition
    6. empower women through employment

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.An objective of the National Food Security Mission is to increase the production of certain crops through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the identified districts of the country. What are those crops?

    (a) Rice and wheat only

    (b) Rice, wheat, and pulses only

    (c) Rice, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds only

    (d) Rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables

    What is the new move?

    • The money, ₹1200 crore in total, will be given to 11.8 crore children through direct benefit transfer as a one-time payment.
    • The money comes from the cooking cost component of the scheme, it said.
    • This decision will help safeguard the nutritional levels of children and aid in protecting their immunity during challenging pandemic times.

  • India must engage with Nepal-without intervening

    The article suggests recalibration of India’s approach towards political turmoil in Nepal.

    Nepal in political crisis

    • For the second time in weeks, Prime Minister K P Oli has persuaded President Bidya Devi Bhandari to dissolve parliament and call for fresh elections.
    • That is, unless the Supreme Court decides to declare the dissolution of parliament as unconstitutional, as it had done in the recent past.
    • The current dissolution has been challenged in the court by five political parties.

    Medhesi demand fulfilled

    • Prime Minister Oli has also delivered on the longstanding Madhesi demand to reverse a constitutional provision which denied citizenship to children born of Nepali mothers who had foreign husbands.
    • The widespread unrest in the Terai adjoining India in 2015 was triggered by this attempt to deny equal rights to the Madhesi population.
    • This provision had directly targeted the Madhesi population, which has close kinship and marital ties across the border with India.
    • While this provision has now been removed through a presidential ordinance, it could well be reversed in future by Nepali political parties dominated by the higher caste.

    Steps India needs to take

    • Political uncertainty in a neighbouring country is never good news for India, particularly in Nepal with whom we share a long and open border.
    • The Indian government has maintained a studied silence on the current political developments in Nepal and this may be the right thing to do.
    • But this silence should not imply the lack of a proper assessment of the political situation in Nepal and what would serve the interests of India best.
    • Following are the steps India need to take:

    1) India should declare it does not support the revival of monarchy

    •  The abolition of the monarchy is a net gain for India and the government must firmly and unambiguously declare that it does not support the revival of the monarchy, which has already been rejected by its people.
    • India should declare its unconditional support to Nepal’s republican democracy.

    2) Remain engaged with Nepal

    • India should remain fully engaged with Nepal at all levels and across the political spectrum.
    • The safeguarding of India’s vital interests demands such sustained engagement.
    • A hands-off policy will only create space for other external influences, some of which, like China, may prove to be hostile.
    • However, engagement must dispense with the recurrent tendency to label Nepali political leaders as friends or enemies.
    • India should advocate policies rather than persons.

    3) Recognise the role of Madhesi population

    • In India’s engagement with Nepal, the Terai belt and its large Madhesi population plays a critical and indispensable role.
    • In an effort to win over the Kathmandu political and social elite, one should be careful not to neglect citizens living in the plains.
    • Our engagement with Nepal must find an important place for Nepali citizens who are our immediate neighbours and act as a kinship, cultural and religious bridge between our two countries.

    4) Appreciate people-to-people link

    • India needs to appreciate that the people-to-people links between our two countries have an unmatched density and no other country, including China, enjoys this asset.
    • The challenge to our Nepal policy lies in leveraging this precious asset to ensure a stable and mutually-productive state-to-state relationship.
    • India has every reason to approach its relations with Nepal with confidence and assurance.

    Consider the question “What are the factors that make India-Nepal relationship special? What are the recent challenges impacting this special relationship? ” 

    Conclusion

    The safeguarding of India’s vital interests demands India’s engagement with Nepal without intervening in its politics. A hands-off policy will only create space for other external influences.

  • Why are edible oils getting costlier?

    Edible oil prices have risen sharply in recent months.

    How much have edible oil prices rising?

    • The prices of six edible oils — groundnut oil, mustard oil, vanaspati, soya oil, sunflower oil, and palm oil — have risen between 20% and 56% at all-India levels in the last year.
    • The prices of soya oil and sunflower oil, too, have increased more than 50% since last year.
    • In fact, the monthly average retail prices of all six edible oils soared to an 11-year high in May 2021.
    • The sharp increase in cooking oil prices has come at a time when household incomes have been hit due to Covid-19.

    Trends of oil consumption in India

    • With rising incomes and changing food habits, consumption of edible oils has been rising over the years.
    • While mustard oil is consumed mostly in rural areas, the share of refined oils —sunflower oil and soyabean oil — is higher in urban areas.

    How much is produced domestically and how much is imported?

    • In 2019-20, domestic availability of edible oils from both primary sources (oilseeds like mustard, groundnut etc.) and secondary sources (such as coconut, oil palm, rice bran oil, cottonseed) was only 10.65 million tonnes against the total domestic demand of 24 million tonnes.
    • Thus, India depends on imports to meet its demand.
    • In 2019-20, the country imported about 13.35 million tonnes of edible oils or about 56% of the demand.
    • This mainly comprised palm (7 million tonnes), soyabean (3.5 millon tonnes) and sunflower (2.5 million tonnes).
    • The major sources of these imports are Argentina and Brazil for soyabeen oil; Indonesia and Malaysia palm oil; and Ukraine and Argentina again for sunflower oil.

    Answer this PYQ from CSP 2019:

    Q.Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

    (a) Spices

    (b) Fresh fruits

    (c) Pulses

    (d) Vegetable oils

    Global prices rising

    • The increase in domestic prices is basically a reflection of international prices because India meets 56% of its domestic demand through imports.
    • In the international market, prices of edible oils have jumped sharply in recent months due to various factors.
    • Even the FAO price index (2014-2016=100) for vegetable oils, an indicator of the movement of edible oil prices in the international market, has soared to 162 in April this year, compared to 81 in April last year.

    But why are international prices rising?

    • One of the reasons is the thrust on making biofuel from vegetable oil. There is a shifting of edible oils from food basket to fuel basket.
    • There has been a thrust on making renewable fuel from soyabean oil in the US, Brazil and other countries.
    • Other factors include buying by China, labour issues in Malaysia, the impact of La Niña on palm and soya producing areas, and export duties on crude palm oil in Indonesia and Malaysia.

    What are the options before the government?

    • One of the short-term options for reducing edible oil prices is to lower import duties.
    • However, the edible oil industry is not in favor of reducing duties.
    • If import duties are reduced, international prices will go up, and neither will the government get revenue nor will the consumer benefit.
    • The government can rather subsidize edible oils and make them available to the poor under the Public Distribution System.

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