Daily Prelims Notes 31 August 2023

Daily Prelims Notes

31 August 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Global Fund secures deal to slash HIV treatment price; to benefit over 19 million
2. Understanding curbs on rice exports
3. Smooth operation of ‘LAM’ critical to Aditya-L1 success
4. What to do with spent nuclear fuel?
5. Russia says Ukraine drones struck deep into its territory
6. US ink new pact with Palau over maritime security
7. Another Coup in Gabon
8. Green court directs Border Roads Organisation to plant 10000 trees in Uttarakhand
9. Funga: UN wants us all to say it along with ‘Flora & Fauna’
10. RBI flags concerns over a few urban cooperative banks
11. PRANAM Scheme to reduce fertiliser subsidy bill
12. India and EU differ on ICAO’s green fuel framework

1. Global Fund secures deal to slash HIV treatment price; to benefit over 19 million

Subject: Science

Section: Health

Introduction:

The Global Fund, partners, and generic drug makers achieved a 25% cost reduction for first-line HIV treatment, now priced at under $45 per person annually. This has the potential to expand HIV services in resource-limited areas.

First-line HIV Treatment – TLD:

• Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, Lamivudine, and Dolutegravir (TLD) is a single-pill antiretroviral treatment.
• WHO endorsed TLD in 2018 due to its effectiveness, fewer side effects, and simplicity.

Historical Progress and Collaboration:

• 2017: TLD was introduced at $75 annually in low- and middle-income countries with global support.
• Partnerships led to 19 million in resource-limited settings receiving TLD, promoting efficiency and sustainable pricing.

Future Initiatives and Impact:

• Global Fund’s NextGen approach focuses on affordable HIV treatment through collaborations, particularly in India and Africa.
• Pooled Procurement Mechanism and Reach
• Mechanism negotiated $1.5 billion in 2021 orders, serving 90 countries, and providing access to essential health products.

The Global Fund

• The Global Fund is an international financing and partnership organization.
• It was created in 2002 and its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The Global Fund aims to attract, leverage, and invest additional resources to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• It is designed to promote innovative solutions to global health challenges. It works in partnership with governments, civil society, technical agencies, and people affected by the diseases.
• Public sector contributions have constituted 95 percent of all financing raised; the remaining 5 percent comes from the private sector or other financing initiatives such as Product Red.

India joined the Global Fund as a donor in 2006.

2. Understanding curbs on rice exports

Subject: Economy

Section: External Sector

Introduction

• In an effort to stabilize domestic rice prices and ensure food security, the Indian government has introduced measures that restrict rice exports.

Rice Production Estimate

• During the Rabi season of 2022-2023, rice production witnessed a decline of 13.8%, resulting in a total production of 158.95 lakh tonnes.
• The Kharif sowing area expanded to cover 384.05 lakh hectares, although concerns arise about potential delays in Tamil Nadu due to a deficient southwest monsoon.
• The looming possibility of El Niño introduces the potential for increased paddy prices, which have already risen from ₹27 to ₹33 per kg over the past year.

Rice Export Scenario

• India stands as the dominant player in global rice exports, contributing a substantial 45% of the total market share.
• Notably, exports during April-May 2023 have surged by a remarkable 21.1% year-on-year.
• The Basmati rice segment experienced a 10.86% increase in exports for May, while non-Basmati rice also saw a substantial rise of 7.5%.
• Remarkably, these export figures remained strong despite the imposition of a 20% duty on exports and the prohibition of broken rice exports since the previous September.

Impact on Indian Farmers

• The government’s move to raise the Minimum Support Price (MSP) serves to provide a more favorable income for rice farmers.
• Additionally, the curbs on exports work towards stabilizing domestic rice prices, assuring a sustained availability of this essential commodity.

Views of Exporters

• Despite the implementation of a 20% export duty, Indian par-boiled rice retains its competitive edge in the global market.
• Some rice-exporting nations, such as Indonesia, have shifted from being exporters to importers due to heightened international demand.
• Exporters advocate for a more nuanced export classification that accommodates both common and specialty rice varieties.
• They also recommend safeguarding unique rice strains recognized under Geographical Indication (GI) (12 in total) from market interventions.

Significance of Broken Rice

• It is often used in the manufacture of feed for very young animals and for pets.
• Further, it is used for all types of livestock and is particularly suitable due to its rich caloric value and low fiber content.
• It is also used in the brewing industry, where it is mixed with barley and the production of arak (aniseed alcoholic drink, distilled, colorless drink).
• It is a raw material for rice flour, used in baby food, breakfast cereals, rice wine, rice liqueur, sake, and prepackaged and canned foods.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

• Established in December 1985 under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act (APEDA Act, 1986), replacing the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).
• Works under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Functions assigned by the APEDA Act:
  • Develop industries for the export of scheduled products through financial assistance, surveys, joint ventures, and subsidies.
  • Register exporters of scheduled products.
  • Set standards and specifications for export products.
  • Inspect meat and meat products to ensure quality.
  • Improve packaging for scheduled products.
  • Promote export-oriented production and development of scheduled products.
  • Collect statistics from factories, establishments, etc.
  • Provide training in various aspects of related industries.

Monitored Products

APEDA oversees export promotion and development for a range of products, including:

1. Fruits, Vegetables, and their Products
2. Meat, Poultry, and their Products
3. Dairy Products
4. Confectionery, Biscuits, and Bakery Products
5. Honey, Jaggery, and Sugar Products
6. Cocoa and its Products, Chocolates
7. Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
8. Cereal and Cereal Products
9. Groundnuts, Peanuts, and Walnuts
10. Pickles, Papads, and Chutneys
11. Guar Gum
12. Floriculture and Floriculture Products
13. Herbal and Medicinal Plants
14. De-oiled Rice Bran, Green Pepper in Brine
15. Cashew Nuts and Derivatives
16. Basmati Rice
17. Also monitors the import of sugar.

Additional Roles

• Manages the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for certifying organic products under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards.

Additional responsibilities for Cashew Kernels, Cashewnut Shell Liquid, and Cardanol were added as per DGFT Notification No. 6/2015-2020 (effective June 14, 2021).

3. Smooth operation of ‘LAM’ critical to Aditya-L1 success

Subject: Science and technology

Section: Space technology

Introduction

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the Aditya-L1 mission, aimed at studying the sun.
• The Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engine, developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), has a pivotal role in achieving the mission’s objectives.

Role of LAM in Aditya-L1 Mission

• LAM engine, also known as Liquid Apogee Motor, is responsible for executing crucial orbital adjustments to position the Aditya spacecraft at Lagrangian point L1.
• Its historical contributions include the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and Chandrayaan-3, underlining its significance.
• The LAM engine uses mono-methyl hydrazine (MMH) and mixed oxides of nitrogen (MON3) as propellants.
• While the LAM engine and its propellant combination remain consistent, variations in engine volume necessitate adjustments in propellant tank sizes.

Propulsion System of Aditya-L1

• The propulsion system comprises multiple components:
  • A 440 Newton LAM engine for major thrust.
  • Eight 22 Newton thrusters for precise adjustments.
  • Four 10 Newton thrusters are intermittently used for orientation control.

Mission Timeline and Challenges

• The scheduled launch date for the Aditya-L1 mission is September 2, utilizing a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL).
• During the spacecraft’s four-month journey toward point L1, the LAM engine will remain inactive.
• A critical challenge involves restarting the LAM engine accurately to adjust the trajectory and transition the spacecraft into the intended halo orbit.

Significance of Lagrangian Point L1

• Lagrangian point L1 is located approximately 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth, between the Earth and the sun.
• Aditya-L1’s objective is to position itself in a halo orbit at L1, facilitating comprehensive solar observations using its seven scientific payloads.

Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) 

• Purpose: The type of rocket engine used to adjust the highest point of an orbit (apogee) in space missions.
• Propellants: LAM engines use hypergolic liquid propellants that ignite spontaneously upon contact.
• Function: They perform precise orbital maneuvers, such as circularizing elliptical orbits or positioning satellites at desired altitudes.
• Thrust: LAM engines provide lower thrust compared to launch engines, enabling accurate and controlled orbital adjustments.
• Control: Designed for precise control, allowing engineers to calculate and execute specific burn durations for desired orbit changes.
• Redundancy: Many spacecraft have multiple LAM engines or chambers for reliability even if one chamber fails.
• Integration: LAM engines are incorporated into spacecraft designs, strategically positioned for optimal thrust and maneuverability.
• Examples: Used in satellites and missions by various space agencies like NASA, ESA, and ISRO.

Safety: Hypergolic propellants are reliable but toxic, requiring careful handling and disposal procedures.

4. What to do with spent nuclear fuel?

Subject: Science and technology

Section: Nuclear Technology

Context

• Japan has initiated the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

Nuclear Energy as a Clean Energy Alternative

• Nuclear energy plays a vital role in mitigating climate change.
• Approximately 10% of global electricity is generated from nuclear energy.
• Countries like the U.S., India, and China are considering increased nuclear energy to achieve net-zero emissions and reduce reliance on carbon-based power.

Challenges

• The safe storage and disposal of nuclear waste pose significant challenges.
• The long-term persistence of nuclear waste in dangerous states necessitates a permanent solution.

Temporary Storage Techniques

• Spent fuel can be stored in cooling pools until their radioactivity decreases.
• Dry cask storage is another technique for temporary storage.
• Burying waste in near-surface disposal facilities with protective coverings is common for low-level and intermediate-level waste.
• These temporary solutions are crucial but not sufficient for managing high-level nuclear waste effectively.

Deep Geological Disposal for High-Level Waste

• High-level waste, due to its higher radioactivity, requires more sophisticated disposal techniques.
• Finland’s Onkalo repository showcases deep geological disposal as a promising solution.
• Employs the Swedish KBS3 concept, proposing
  • waste stored in copper canisters, 
  • wrapped in bentonite clay, and
  • buried over 400 meters below ancient bedrock.
• Release barriers are employed to keep the waste isolated from its surroundings.

The Future of Onkalo Repository

• The Onkalo repository is projected to become operational in 2025.
• A fill-up period of 100-120 years for the repository.

SKB’s KBS-3 Method for Final Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel

• SKB (Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company) employs the KBS-3 method for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel.
• This method is based on three protective barriers: copper canisters, Bentonite clay, and the Swedish bedrock.

Copper Canisters

• Copper canisters are five meters long with nodular cast iron inserts.
• Each filled canister weighs about 25 tons.
• The outer casing consists of five-centimeter-thick copper.
• Canisters are designed to withstand corrosion and mechanical forces resulting from rock movements.

Buffer with Bentonite Clay

• Copper canisters will be placed in the repository’s tunnels, embedded in Bentonite clay.
• Bentonite clay acts as a buffer, protecting canisters from corrosion and minor rock movements.
• Clay absorbs water, swells to fill spaces and cracks, and prevents water from entering cracked canisters.
• The buffer prevents the release of radioactive substances into the rock.

Bedrock as the Final Barrier

• The bedrock serves as the final barrier, isolating the waste.
• The rock offers a stable chemical environment and protection from surface-level events.
• Groundwater flows through rock fractures but can trap any escaped radioactive substances.

5. Russia says Ukraine drones struck deep into its territory

Subject: International Relations

Section: Places in news

Context: Ukrainian drones strike deep in Russian territory.

More about the news:

• Ukraine sent waves of drones deep into western Russia in nighttime attacks that struck military assets
• The drones hit an airport near Russia’s border with Estonia and Latvia, causing a huge blaze and damaging four Il-76 military transport planes,
• The airport in the Pskov region suffered the most damage in the overnight attacks.
• Other regions hit were Oryol, Ryazan, Bryansk and Kaluga,

Some details about Russia:

• Russia is a country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
• It is the largest country in the world by area, extends across eleven time zones, and shares land boundaries with fourteen countriese Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, Poland, and Ukraine
• It is the world’s ninth-most populous country and Europe’s most populous country. 
• It has the world’s fourth-longest coastline, of over 37,653 km

6. US ink new pact with Palau over maritime security

Subject: International relations

Section: Places in news

Context: The United States has signed a new agreement with Palau,

More about the news:

• The United States has signed a new agreement with Palau, which gives American ships the authorisation to unilaterally enforce maritime regulations in the tiny Pacific Island nation’s exclusive economic zone.
• In the agreement, the US Coast Guard ships can enforce regulations inside Palau’s exclusive economic zone on behalf of the nation without a Palauan officer present.
• This agreement helps Palau monitor its exclusive economic zone, protect against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and deter uninvited vessels from conducting questionable maneuvers within its water.
• The partnership will help toward achieving the common goal of peace and prosperity in the region.
• The agreement comes as both the U.S. and China are seeking to expand their influence in the Pacific, and follows pleas from Palau’s president for Washington’s help to deter Beijing’s “unwanted activities” in its coastal waters.

Some facts about Palau:

• Palau is an island country in the Micronesia sub-region of Oceania in the western Pacific.
• The republic consists of approximately 340 islands and has a total area of 466 sq kms, making it one of the smallest countries in the world.
• The Capital of Palau is Ngerulmud.
• Having voted in a referendum against joining the Federated States of Micronesia in 1978, the islands gained full sovereignty in 1994 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States.
• Politically, Palau is a presidential republic in free association with the United States, which provides defense, funding, and access to social services.

7. Another Coup in Gabon

Subject: International Relations

Section: Places in news

Context: Soldiers in Gabon had seized power and appointed the republican guard chief as head of state.

More about the news:

• Soldiers in Gabon had seized power and appointed the republican guard chief as head of state.
• Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had been “unanimously” designated president of a transitional committee to lead the country.
• Another coup was attempted in Gabon in 2019,but it was overpowered.

Some facts about Gabon:

• The Republic of Gabon is positioned at the Equator in West-Central Africa, with its borders extending to the Atlantic Ocean.
• The capital city Gabon is Libreville.
• Its neighboring countries encompass Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon to the north, and the Republic of the Congo to the east and south.
• Gabon was a former French Colony and gained independence from France on August 17, 1960.
• Languages spoken in Gabon are French (official) and a variety of Bantu languages.
• Gabon employs the Central African CFA franc (XAF) as its currency,
• In terms of religion, the majority of Gabon’s populace identifies as Christian, while a minority adheres to Islam, and a smaller segment follows traditional beliefs.
• The Ogooué river is the largest watercourse in Gabon.
• Gabon is blessed with mineral resources such as petroleum, manganese and iron, as well as high-quality forest resources. In 2010, the petroleum industry accounted for 46.4 percent of the GDP, giving Gabon one of the highest income levels among African countries. However, it is predicted that the petroleum will be depleted in the mid-term, and so the government is aiming to create an economy free of dependence on petroleum.

8. Green court directs Border Roads Organisation to plant 10000 trees in Uttarakhand

Subject: Environment

Section: Environmental Law

Context:

• The National Green Tribunal has directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to plant at least 10,000 trees within a month in Uttarakhand as part of compensatory tree plantation to make up for hundreds of trees felled during construction of a road from Simli to Gwaldam.

Details:

• NGT formed a joint committee comprising the representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), BRO, Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board (PCB) along with the District Magistrate and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Chamoli who have been directed to “verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action in the violation of environmental norms”.

No illegal felling:

• The committee report said there was no illegal felling of trees during the construction.
• There had been 17 landslides on the road from Simli to Gwaldam.
• A joint mechanism needed to be developed between the BRO and forest department to:
  • monitor landslides,
  • assessing damage to vegetation and
  • Treat sites with appropriate measures.

Responsibilities vested to the district authorities:

• The DFO Chamoli was directed to monitor survival of the plantation for three months and report to the NGT.
  • The DFO will also ensure that the plantation is done in a manner which will prevent landslides.

• The District Magistrate will ensure that the BRO takes appropriate steps to prevent landslides by constructing protective structures and will submit a report on the number of landslides during the intervening period and action taken to prevent it.

Laws related to tree felling in India:

• In India, aspects related to trees are covered under the Indian Forest Act, 1927
• It is broadly under this Act that each state has laid down rules and regulations against tree felling.

Along with that various states have come up their own laws for the same purpose like-

• Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation of Trees Act 1975
• Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (1994)
• Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act 1976
• West Bengal Trees (Protection and Conservation in Non-Forest Areas) Act, 2006
• Also, various cities like Gurugram, Chennai etc. come up with their own notifications regarding felling of trees

Cutting OF RESERVED TREES and FORESTS:

• Under Indian Forest Act, 1927,Section 30– The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,

1. declare any trees or class of trees in a protected forest to be reserved from a date fixed by, the notification;
2. declare that any portion of such forest specified in the notification shall be closed for such term, not exceeding thirty years, as the State Government thinks fit, and that the rights of private persons, if any, over such portion shall be suspended during such terms

Section 33 Indian Forest Act

• Penalties for acts in contravention of notification under section 30
• Any person who-
  • fells any tree reserved under section 30, or strips off the bark or leaves from, or otherwise damages, any such tree;
  • permits cattle to damage any such tree;
  • shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.
• Is it punishable to cut trees even at my own premises?
  • Yes, according to Indian Forest Act, the penalty for cutting down a tree is Rs.10,000 or 3 months imprisonment.
  • This punishment may extend up to one year under various state acts.
  • But in some cases like where a tree is blocking your way, whose branches are spreading to your house or blocking hoardings, you need to take a clearance from the Forest department, before cutting that tree.

Border Road Organisation (BRO):

• The BRO was formed on 7 May 1960 to secure India’s borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the north and north-east states of the country.
• The BRO is a road construction executive force in India that provides support to Indian Armed Forces.
• BRO develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighboring countries.
  • This includes infrastructure operations in 19 states and three union territories (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.
• As of 2021,BRO had constructed over 60,000 kilometres (37,282 mi) of roads, over 450 permanent bridges with a total length of over 60,000 metres (37 mi) length and 19 airfields in strategic locations.
• BRO is also tasked with maintaining this infrastructure including operations such as snow clearance.
• BRO is instrumental in significantly upgrading and building new India-China Border Roads.
• Motto: Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam  (everything is achievable through hardwork).

9. Funga: UN wants us all to say it along with ‘Flora & Fauna’

Subject: Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context:

• The United Nations Biodiversity has urged people globally to use the word ‘funga’ whenever they say ‘flora and fauna’, in order to highlight the importance of fungi.

Fungi:

• Fungi, along with Animalia (animals), Plantae (plants), Protista, Archaea/Archaebacteria, and Bacteria or Eubacteria form the six ‘kingdoms’ of biology.
• A fungus is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from the other eukaryotic kingdoms, which, by one traditional classification, includes Plantae, Animalia, Protozoa, and Chromista.
• A characteristic that places fungi in a different kingdom from plants, bacteria, and some protists is chitin in their cell walls.
• Fungi have no roots, stems, flowers and seeds- structures.
• Fungi, like animals, are heterotrophs:
  • They acquire their food by absorbing dissolved molecules, typically by secreting digestive enzymes into their environment.
• Fungi do not photosynthesize.
• Fungi are the principal decomposers in ecological systems.
• The study of fungi is known as mycology.

UN Biodiversity call to protect funga:

• UN Biodiversity urges that, whenever referring to the macroscopic diversity of life on Earth, we should use “flora, fauna and FUNGA”, and “animal, plants and FUNGI.
• The Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that it would use “mycologically inclusive” (referring to fungi) language in its internal and public-facing communications (“fauna, flora and funga” and “animals, fungi and plants”) and to incorporate fungi in conservation strategies with rare and endangered plants and animals.

Significance of fungi:

• There would be no life on Earth without fungi: the yeasts, molds and mushrooms that are critical to decomposition and forest regeneration, mammalian digestion, carbon sequestration, the global nutrient cycle, antibiotic medication, and the bread, beer and chocolate we consume.
• Trees would not be able to live on land without fungi.
• Together with bacteria, fungi are responsible for breaking down organic matter and releasing carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus into the soil and the atmosphere.
• Fungi are essential to many household and industrial processes, notably the making of bread, wine, beer, and certain cheeses.
• They play an important role in medicine by yielding antibiotics.
• They help in controlling the population of pests.

What is the Species Survival Commission (SSC)?

• The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) is a science-based network of more than 9,000 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world, all working together towards achieving the vision of, “A just world that values and conserves nature through positive action to reduce the loss of diversity of life on earth“.
• SSC’s major role is to provide information to IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods.

10. RBI flags concerns over a few urban cooperative banks

Subject :Economy

Section: Monetary Policy

Context: RBI Governor notes concerns and vulnerabilities for some urban cooperative banks.

Key Points:

• RBI Governor noted that while the Urban Cooperative Bank (UCB) sector has shown improved financial performance at an aggregate level in recent times, concerns and vulnerabilities were seen for certain individual entities.
• The major observations were as follows:
  • There is a need for the UCBs to strengthen financial and operational resilience to contribute to the overall financial and banking sector stability.
  • Quality of governance is the most important aspect in ensuring stability of individual banks.
  • Directors of UCBs should strengthen governance practices, especially the three supporting pillars of Compliance, Risk Management, and Internal Audit.
  • The board’s involvement in upholding rigorous credit risk management is very important. This includes:
    • Robust underwriting standards,
    • effective post-sanction monitoring,
    • timely recognition and mitigation of incipient stress,
    • rigorous follow up of large NPA borrowers for effective recovery, and
    • maintaining adequate provisioning.
• Recently RBI has started engaging with the directors of its regulated entities(RIs) functioning in different segments of the financial system. Two separate conferences with Directors on Boards of Public Sector Banks and Private Sector Banks have been held this year.

11. PRANAM Scheme to reduce fertiliser subsidy bill

Subject :Schemes

Section: Environment

Context:

PM-PRANAM (PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) was launched in the Union Budget 2023–24 to promote the balanced use of chemical and alternative fertilisers, generating awareness of regenerative agriculture (RA).

• What is regenerative agriculture (RA)?
  • RA is an outcome-based food production system that nurtures and restores soil health, protects the climate and water resources and biodiversity, and enhances farms’ productivity and profitability.
• It is worth noting that the subsidy burden on chemical fertilisers is about ₹2.25-lakh crore for FY 2022-23, which is 39 per cent higher than FY 2021-22’s figure (₹1.62-lakh crore).
• How can PRANAM help in reducing subsidy?
  • PRANAM will help the government reduce subsidy bills and fiscal deficits if it picks up, by reducing the extent of chemical fertiliser use.
  • For change to happen the efficacy of alternative fertilisers to enhance crop yield or productivity needs to be proved.
  • A gradual phase-out of subsidies on chemical fertilisers can stimulate alternative or bio-fertiliser adoption.
  • The retention pricing scheme, which safeguards chemical fertiliser (urea) manufacturers, can be phased out to promote alternative fertiliser production.
• Promoting PRANAM:
  • Demonstrating alternative fertilisers on farmer fields is critical, especially after the Sri Lankan food crisis, to showcase higher productivity.
  • A certification process for such products can help farmers or their organisations realise a remunerative price.\
  • 10,000 Bio-Input Resource Centres are being set up over the next three years, creating a national-level distributed micro-fertiliser and pesticide manufacturing network.

12. India and EU differ on ICAO’s green fuel framework

Subject :International relations

Section: International organisation

Context:: International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is developing a global framework to mandate the use of green fuel in international flights.

Key Points:

• ICAO is in the process of drafting a global framework that proposes quantifiable targets for adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and lays down pathways to promote its use. The move follows ICAO’s adoption of long term aspirational goal of net zero carbon emission by 2050.
• The global framework that is now under consideration is expected to come up for approval at a high level civil aviation ministerial conference in Dubai in November.
• According to a draft proposal, the global framework will comprise four building blocks:
  • policy and planning,
  • regulatory mechanism,
  • implementation support and
  • financing for development and deployment of SAF.
• While Europe is in favour of an ambitious policy, India and a few other countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are questioning the idea of quantifiable targets without corresponding access to funds and technology to produce SAF.
• In India the government has considered one per cent blending of SAF with jet fuel by 2025.
• But currently SAF production in India is in planning stages only. The government is worried that any ambitious target laid down by ICAO could thus hurt our carriers and lead to an increase in costs and airfares.
• SAF is a waste-derived aviation fuel made from various sources such as used cooking oil, agricultural waste, fats or non-food crops. It can be blended with conventional jet fuel to reduce carbon emissions.