Uttar Pradesh State PCS

• 03 Jun 2024

Food Irradiation

Why in News?

The government of India plans to use radiation processing (Food Irradiation) to extend the shelf life of a 100,000 tonne onion buffer stock in 2024, aiming to prevent shortages and price hikes.

• India, a major onion exporter, is facing a 16% decline in onion output for the 2023-24 season, bringing production down to an estimated 25.47 million tonnes.

Key Points

• Food irradiation is the process of exposing food and food products to ionising radiation, such as gamma rays, electron beams, or X-rays.
  • In India, irradiated food is regulated in accordance with the Atomic Energy (Control of Irradiation of Food) Rules, 1996.
• Significance:
  • It is used in food processing to help ensure food safety.
  • Seasonal overstocking and long transport times lead to food waste.
  • India's hot, humid climate is a breeding ground for spoilage-causing insects and microbes.
  • Seafood, meat, and poultry can harbour harmful bacteria and parasites that make people sick.

Onion Production in India

• India is the second-largest (after China) onion-growing country in the world, famous for its pungent onions available year-round.
• Major Onion Producing States:
  • Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are the major onion-producing states.
  • Maharashtra ranks first in Onion production with a share of 42.53% followed by Madhya Pradesh with a share of 15.16% in 2021-22 (3rd Advance Estimate).
• Export Destination: Major export destinations of Indian onion include Bangladesh, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

India to Import Wheat After 6 years

Why in News?

India, the world's second-largest wheat producer, plans to begin wheat imports after a six-year gap to replenish depleted reserves and control rising prices, driven by three consecutive years of disappointing crops.

Key Points

• India's wheat production has declined in the last 3 years due to unfavourable weather conditions, leading to a sharp drop in wheat output.
• The government estimates this year's wheat crop to be 6.25% lower than the previous year's (2023) record production of 112 million metric tons.
• The government's target for wheat procurement the year 2024 was 30-32 million metric tons, but it has managed to buy only 26.2 million tons so far.
• Domestic wheat prices have stayed above the government's minimum support price (MSP) of 2,275 rupees per 100 kg and have been on the rise recently.
  • So, the government decided to remove the 40% import duty on wheat to allow private traders and flour millers to import wheat, primarily from Russia.

Wheat

• This is the second most important cereal crop in India after rice and main food crop, in the north and north-western part of the country.
• Wheat is a rabi crop that requires a cool growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening.
  • Success of the Green Revolution contributed to the growth of Rabi crops, especially wheat.
• Top 3 Wheat Producers in World (2021): China, India and Russia.
• Top 3 Wheat Producers in India (in 2021-22): Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab
• Government Initiatives:
  • Macro Management Mode of Agriculture, National Food Security Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana etc.