Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India

• 29 Jan 2024

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) of the Government of India, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations jointly launched the ‘Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India’ in New Delhi.

What is the Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India?

• About:
  • The initiative aims to create an investment and partnership strategy fostering climate resilient agrifood systems among various stakeholders in India.
  • The Forum facilitated discussions and deliberations on six key areas namely,
    • Climate resilient agriculture (experiences and pathways).
    • Digital infrastructure and solutions.
    • Financing climate resilient agrifood systems (domestic and global).
    • Climate resilient value chains.
    • Production practices and inputs for climate resilience.
    • Gender mainstreaming and social inclusion for climate resilience.
• Importance of Investing in Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems:
  • Climate change has profound implications for India, particularly affecting its economically vulnerable rural population, largely dependent on climate-sensitive agricultural livelihoods.
    • Agriculture contributes to about 13% of total greenhouse gas emissions in India and is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
    • Indian agriculture is susceptible to extreme temperatures, droughts, floods, cyclones, and soil salinity.
    • Climate change can affect crop yields, water availability, soil health, pest and disease outbreaks, and food security.
  • Climate resilient agrifood systems can help mitigate and adapt to climate change, enhance food production, reduce poverty, and improve livelihoods.
    • Climate mainstreaming into agrifood systems necessitates larger investments from global climate finance, domestic budgets, and the private sector.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

• The FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
• FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
• With 194 member countries and the European Union including India, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
• The World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are sister organisations of the FAO.
• FAO is headquartered in Rome, Italy.
• Flagship Publications:
  • The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA).
  • The State of the World's Forests (SOFO).
  • The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI).
  • The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA).
  • The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO).

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims:

Q. The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative? (2016)

1. To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity.
2. To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems of the local communities.
3. To provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such identified GIAHS.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Q. With what purpose is the Government of India promoting the concept of “Mega Food Parks”? (2011)

1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry.
2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.
3. To provide emerging and eco friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

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Mains:

Q. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (2017)