Current Affair 1:

First-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report

 

The first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report was launched by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a UN biodiversity treaty, at the opening of a major UN wildlife conservation conference (CMS COP14).

The landmark report reveals:

Until now, no such comprehensive assessment on migratory species has been carried out. The report provides a global overview of the conservation status and population trends of migratory animals, combined with the latest information on their main threats and successful actions to save them.

Current Affair 2:

New protocol can reduce breeding cycle of Pigeonpea

 

News:

Pigeon pea, also called arhar and tur in India, is an important legume crop for the country’s nutritional security. The demand for the protein-rich food that is primarily consumed as dal in India is high – the country is the largest producer as well as importer of the grain.

A new fast-breeding protocol is likely to make it easier for scientists to develop better quality varieties of the crop at a faster rate, according to the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) that confirmed the technique.

Pigeonpea has low glycaemic index and is rich in thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, vitamin A, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, according to ICRISAT.

Pigeonpea is a traditional Kharif crop sown in June-July with onset of monsoon in various agro-climatic zones.

India, the world's biggest producer and consumer of pigeon peas, relies on imports during the final quarter of the year before the new crop harvest in January. Over half of India's imports of pigeon peas are sourced from Mozambique.

Current Affair 3:

India, four other countries voice concern at WTO dispute settlement reform proposal

 

News:

India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia and South Africa have raised concerns at a latest World Trade Organization (WTO) draft on dispute settlement reform which proposes inclusion of mediators during consultations and the composition and powers of dispute settlement panels.

The draft has proposed that the panel be given powers to categorize cases into standard, complex and extraordinarily complex cases, which many countries have opposed.

 On the introduction of an element of mandatory alternate dispute resolution (ADR) and arbitration, the five nations said that it introduces 'numerous guidelines, requirements, and additional processes, which will curtail the flexibility that is a core characteristic of such processes, therefore disincentivizing developing countries including least developing countries from taking recourse to ADR'.

The five nations highlighted that there have been some informal discussions on the appellate review mechanism, which touch on issues of leave to appeal and standard of review.

Current Affair 4:

Freight subsidy to promote Agri products export from India.

 

News:

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing a Central Sector Scheme- 'Operation Greens (OG)'– A scheme for development of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) value chain since 2018-19. The coverage of the scheme has since been expanded from 3 crops (Tomato, Onion & Potato) to 22 perishables crops which include 10 fruits, 11 vegetables (including TOP) and 1 marine i.e. shrimp as per the Union Budget 2021.

The scheme has two-pronged strategy of Price Stabilization Measures (short term measure) and Integrated Value Chain Development Projects (long term measure).

Under the short-term interventions of the scheme, MoFPI provides transportation (including air)/storage subsidy for eligible crop @ 50 % of eligible cost. In case of export, subsidy towards transportation charges is payable only up to Indian borders.

Subsidy released under Short Term Interventions of the OG scheme is as below:

MoFPI through implementation of the Central Sector Scheme, namely, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), interalia, helps in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet across the country. The scheme not only provide a boost to the growth of food processing sector in the country but also helps in, interalia, reducing wastage of agricultural produce, increasing the processing level, and enhancing the export of the processed foods.

 MoFPI is also implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme- PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME) for providing technical, financial, and business support for setting up/upgradation of 2 lakh Micro Food Processing Enterprises.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme also launched by MoFPI for the period 2021-22 to 2026-27 to create global food champions and improving the visibility of Indian food brands abroad.

 

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