Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Subatomic Motion, Nobel Prize
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- Anne L’Huillier, Pierre Agostini, and Ferenc Krausz have been honored the 2023 Physics Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking experiments, providing humanity with new tools to explore the inner workings of electrons within atoms and molecules.
Measuring Rapid Electron Processes
- Tracking electron movement: Their work has enabled the creation of extremely short pulses of light, lasting only ato-seconds (1×10−18 of a second), allowing for the measurement of the lightning-fast processes through which electrons move or change energy.
- Observing Subatomic Motion: Electrons, the tiny particles that orbit the nucleus within atoms, move at astonishing speeds, making real-time observation impossible.
- High-Shutter-Speed Analogy: The trio’s research can be likened to a high-shutter-speed camera freezing motion to capture clear images. Similarly, they’ve achieved the ability to “freeze” electron movement using ultra-short light pulses.
Their Journey to Success
- Anne L’Huillier’s Discovery: In 1987, L’Huillier discovered that laser light waves interacting with noble gases could provide some electrons with extra energy, which was then emitted as light. She continued to develop this concept.
- Pierre Agostini’s Breakthrough: In 2001, Agostini successfully generated consecutive light pulses, each lasting just 250 attoseconds.
- Ferenc Krausz’s Contribution: Simultaneously, Krausz’s experiments isolated single light pulses lasting 650 attoseconds, providing invaluable insights into atomic processes.
Significance of their Work
- Unveiling Electron World: Atto-second physics, as their work is known, has opened doors to understanding mechanisms controlled by electrons.
- Eva Olsson’s Insight: According to Eva Olsson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, this breakthrough allows us to comprehend electron-driven phenomena and explore their practical applications.
- Potential Medical Application: Studying molecular-level changes in blood using these techniques could aid in disease identification.
- Advanced Electronics: A deeper understanding of electron can contribute to the development of more efficient electronic devices.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI)
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- India’s manufacturing sector experienced a slowdown in September, reaching a five-month low, according to the seasonally adjusted S&P Global India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).
- The PMI eased to 57.5 from August’s 58.6. A reading of 50 reflects no change in activity levels.
Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)
- PMI is an indicator of business activity — both in the manufacturing and services sectors.
- It is a survey-based measure that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before.
- It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index is constructed.
- The PMI is compiled by IHS Markit based on responses to questionnaires sent to purchasing managers in a panel of around 400 manufacturers.
How is the PMI derived?
- The PMI is derived from a series of qualitative questions.
- Executives from a reasonably big sample, running into hundreds of firms, are asked whether key indicators such as output, new orders, business expectations and employment were stronger than the month before and are asked to rate them.
How does one read the PMI?
- A figure above 50 denotes expansion in business activity. Anything below 50 denotes contraction.
- Higher the difference from this mid-point greater the expansion or contraction. The rate of expansion can also be judged by comparing the PMI with that of the previous month data.
- If the figure is higher than the previous month’s then the economy is expanding at a faster rate.
- If it is lower than the previous month then it is growing at a lower rate.
Analysis and Outlook
- Mild Slowdown: The manufacturing industry in India showed mild signs of a slowdown in September, primarily due to a softer increase in new orders, which tempered production growth.
- Positive Outlook: Despite the slowdown, both demand and output saw significant improvements, and manufacturers maintained a strongly positive outlook for production.
- Job Creation and Input Stocks: Upbeat forecasts continued to drive job creation efforts and initiatives to replenish input stocks, indicating a favourable trajectory for the Indian manufacturing industry.
- Concerns: However, the solid increase in output charges, despite easing cost pressures, could limit sales in the coming months, prompting caution.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Guaranteed Pension System
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Andhra Pradesh’s Guaranteed Pension System (GPS) blends elements from both old and new pension schemes, offering the advantages of a guaranteed pension while not overly straining the state’s finances.
- This innovative system holds the potential to preserve India’s hard-won pension reforms.
What is the Andhra Pension System?
- A Hybrid Approach: The Andhra Pradesh Guaranteed Pension System Bill, 2023, recently approved by the state assembly, introduces a unique blend of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS) implemented in 2004.
- Contributory Guarantee: This system ensures government employees a monthly pension equivalent to 50% of their last-drawn salary, including dearness allowance relief.
- Reason for Introduction: Andhra Pradesh introduced GPS as a response to resistance against NPS, which was viewed by many as inferior to the earlier scheme. The return to OPS was considered fiscally unsustainable, with the potential to drive the state’s fiscal deficit to 8% by 2050.
Breakthrough created
- Long-standing Pension Reforms: India struggled for over a decade to implement pension reforms that led to the introduction of NPS in 2004.
- Growing Discontent: Over time, public sentiment favored those receiving pensions under the old scheme, leading to discontent.
- Political Promises: Political parties capitalized on this discontent, pledging to return to the old scheme if elected.
- Andhra’s Middle Path: Andhra Pradesh’s GPS offers a middle ground, preventing a regressive return to the old scheme while addressing concerns about NPS.
How does the Andhra System work?
- Enhancing Attractiveness: The contributory system guarantees a pension equivalent to 50% of the last drawn salary.
- Balancing Financial Burden: Any shortfall in NPS returns is covered by the government.
- Current NPS Pensions: Presently, NPS pensions amount to around 40% of an employee’s last drawn salary. Therefore, the government only has to fund the remaining balance.
Alternative to NPS
- Contributory Nature: NPS is a contributory scheme, with both employees and employers contributing to a corpus invested for returns.
- Uncertainty: In NPS, the pension amount is not guaranteed, as it depends on corpus returns influenced by market conditions.
- Ignoring Inflation: NPS does not consider inflation or pay commission recommendations.
- Market Dependency: Opposition to NPS is fueled by fears of further reductions in pension due to adverse market conditions.
Why not revert to the Old Pension Scheme?
- Budgetary Constraints: Under OPS, pensions were financed through the budget.
- Unsustainable Growth: Pension liabilities for all states saw a compound annual growth rate of 34% for a 12-year period ending in 2021-22.
- Budgetary Impact: In 2020-21, pension outgo accounted for 29.7% of states’ revenues.
- Development Challenges: A return to OPS would strain government funds, hindering development efforts and operational financing.
- Competitiveness Concerns: Such a shift could negatively impact India’s ease of doing business and overall competitiveness.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UAPA
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- Allegations against NewsClick: The FIR against NewsClick alleges illegal funding from China, routed through the United States.
- UAPA Provisions: The FIR invokes various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with a primary focus on Section 16, which deals with punishment for terrorist acts.
Understanding UAPA Provisions
*Section 15 – Definition of “Terrorist Act”
- Section 15 of the UAPA defines “terrorist act” and prescribes imprisonment for at least five years to life. In cases where the act results in death, the punishment is either death or imprisonment for life.
- This section encompasses serious and violent acts with the potential to threaten India’s unity, integrity, security, economic security, or sovereignty.
- It includes actions such as the use of explosives, causing death or damage to property, disruption of essential services, and damaging monetary stability through counterfeiting.
Other UAPA Provisions Invoked
- Section 13 – Unlawful Activities: This section deals with unlawful activities and their consequences.
- Section 17 – Raising Funds for Terrorist Acts: It addresses raising funds for terrorist activities.
- Section 18 – Conspiracy: This section covers conspiracy related to terrorist acts.
- Section 22 (C) – Offences by Companies, Trusts: This provision pertains to offenses committed by companies and trusts.
- IPC Sections Invoked: Additionally, the FIR includes IPC sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
Understanding the UAPA Framework
- Unique Criminal Law Framework: The UAPA provides an alternative criminal law framework that differs from the general principles of criminal law.
- Enhanced State Powers: Compared to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the UAPA grants the state greater powers.
- Bail Provisions: The UAPA has stringent conditions for bail and relaxes timelines for the state to file chargesheets.
- Denying Bail: To deny bail under the UAPA, the court must establish a “prima facie” case against the accused.
- Prima Facie Definition: In 2019, the Supreme Court defined “prima facie” narrowly, meaning that the court must not analyze evidence or circumstances but must consider the “totality of the case” presented by the state.
- Section 43D(5): This section specifies that a person accused of an offense under Chapters IV and VI of the UAPA shall not be released on bail or their own bond if the Public Prosecutor hasn’t been heard on the application for release.
- Court’s Opinion: The court may deny bail if it finds reasonable grounds to believe that the accusation against the accused is prima facie true.
Conclusion
- The FIR against NewsClick under the UAPA underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the complex legal framework surrounding such cases.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Press Freedom Rankings in SE Asia
Central Idea
- Southeast Asian nations consistently rank among the worst globally for press freedom and media rights.
- Autocratic governments in the region have increasingly resorted to closing independent newspapers and imprisoning activists who criticize the authorities.
Press Freedom Rankings
- Pew Research Findings: According to the Pew Research Center’s report on religion and politics in South and Southeast Asia, the embrace of free speech and democracy is not widespread in the region.
- Global Press Freedom Rankings: Organizations like “Reporters without Borders” annually rank nations in terms of press freedom. In the latest World Press Freedom Index, Vietnam and Myanmar were among the worst-ranked countries, with Malaysia being the exception.
- Deteriorating Standards: Declining press freedom worldwide is attributed to increasing aggressiveness by authorities, growing animosity towards journalists on social media, and the proliferation of fake content.
Freedom on the Net Rankings
- Online Free Speech Monitoring: Freedom House’s Freedom On The Net index evaluates online free-speech conditions. Myanmar, China, Vietnam, and Thailand ranked poorly, highlighting online restrictions and censorship.
Public Perspectives on Free Speech
- Notion of National Harmony: Governments in Southeast Asia, which encompass a diverse range of political systems, generally concur on the need to limit free speech to safeguard national “harmony.”
- Pew Research Focus: Unlike traditional press freedom rankings, the Pew study delves into the views of ordinary people on free speech issues.
- Key Findings: The report revealed that the majority of respondents in three out of four Southeast Asian states prioritize national “harmony” over free speech. However, a notable minority in Malaysia and Singapore held a contrasting view.
Various impacts on Free speech
- Age and Education Impact: Younger and more educated respondents were more likely to advocate for the right to criticize the government and prioritize free speech over social harmony.
- Religious Influence: The report also noted differences in attitudes based on religion. For instance, Thai Muslims were more inclined to prioritize social harmony over free speech compared to Thai Buddhists.
Government Justifications
- Lese-Majeste Laws: Thai authorities argue that strict lese-majeste laws are necessary to protect “Thainess” and the monarchy.
- Cambodian Government: Cambodia’s government defends stringent restrictions by portraying opposition politicians and independent media as threats to the nation’s hard-won peace.
- Communist Governments: Vietnam and Laos assert that collective interests take precedence over individual rights.
- Singapore’s Approach: Singapore, a multi-ethnic state, expanded “hate speech” laws, emphasizing the importance of not allowing any race or religion to be attacked or insulted.
Critique of Laws
- Effectiveness Questioned: Critics argue that harsh “hate speech” and other laws in the region may not genuinely preserve social harmony and can restrict freedoms.
- Asia Centre Report: A 2021 report from the Asia Centre contends that such laws reinforce the dominance of the ethno-religious majority, limit freedom of religion or belief, and muzzle grievances from minority communities.
- Political Exploitation: Ethno-religious dominant governments are accused of exploiting societal divisions for political gain.
Conclusion
- Balancing the preservation of national “harmony” with the protection of individual liberties remains a contentious issue.
- As younger, more educated individuals express stronger support for free speech, it suggests the potential for evolving perspectives in the future.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Circular Migration
Mains level: Concept- Circular Migration, Circular Migration in India, advantages and challenges and measures
What’s the news?
- Circular migration gained prominence in the wake of globalization and technological advancements, facilitating easier mobility. As the world grapples with migration challenges, circular migration emerges as a balanced approach.
Central idea
- Circular migration, characterized by the cyclical movement of people between their country of origin and a destination country in search of seasonal employment, has gained significance in the global context. It offers unique opportunities and challenges in the realm of migration policy and development.
Defining Circular Migration
- Philippe Fargues defines circular migration based on specific criteria, including temporary residence, multiple entries into the destination country, freedom of movement between origin and destination, legal rights for migrants, protection of their rights, and a demand for temporary labor in the destination country.
- A key aspect is the completion of at least two loops between two countries, signifying repeated movement.
- For instance, if a migrant moves from country A to B and back to A, they are considered a return migrant. However, if they continue to country B again, they have completed two loops, earning them the label of a circular migrant.
Circular Migration as Public Policy
- For countries of origin: Remittances from circular migrants boost the domestic economy, fostering infrastructure development and improving living standards. However, it also poses the risk of losing skilled individuals to other nations.
- For destination countries: Circular migration provides a source of low-skilled labor while minimizing permanent population growth
The Advantages of Circular Migration in India
- Rural to Urban Migration:
- The growth of jobs in sectors like manufacturing, construction, and services has driven a substantial flow of migrants from rural areas to urban cities.
- This trend has been particularly pronounced between 2004–2005 and 2011–2012 when the construction sector witnessed a significant increase in employment, especially for rural males.
- This movement has provided rural populations with access to urban employment opportunities.
- Uneven development following liberalization policies has led to inter-State migration. States like West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar have witnessed high rates of out-migration.
- While Delhi was historically a prominent destination, recent trends indicate an increased flow of migrants to southern States as well.
- Migrants often transition from agricultural jobs in their home states to low-skill jobs in destination states.
- This shift typically results in increased income, with daily wage laborers in Kerala earning substantially more compared to their counterparts in states like West Bengal.
- Household Welfare: Circular migration contributes to better household welfare through remittances sent back by migrants. These funds support improved nutrition, enhanced access to education and healthcare, and an overall increase in the standard of living for migrant families.
- Empowerment of Women: The absence of male family members due to migration often leads to increased autonomy and decision-making power for women in migrant households. This shift in gender dynamics can have positive social and cultural implications.
Challenges
- Exploitation and Unsafe Conditions: Migrants, especially in southern States, often find themselves vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen or brokers. They may be subjected to unhygienic and unsafe working conditions, often without protective equipment.
- Language Barriers: Language differences pose a significant obstacle for migrants, particularly when migrating to regions where the local language differs from their native tongue.
- Resentment and Wage Disputes: Indigenous wage groups and labor unions may resent circular migrants, viewing them as competitors willing to work for lower wages. This can lead to wage disputes and conflicts.
- Subsistence Migration: Many circular migrants engage in subsistence-level employment, with limited opportunities for savings or asset creation. Jobs are often seasonal and irregular, contributing to economic precarity.
- Return Migration during Crises: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of circular migrants. When a lockdown was imposed in 2020, many migrants embarked on long journeys back to their hometowns due to the lack of job opportunities in the host States.
The Way Forward: Measures to fully unlock the potential of circular migration
- Ensuring Migrant Rights: Robust protection of migrant rights is crucial to address exploitation and abuse.
- Skills Training: Providing migrants with skills training and language proficiency programs can enhance their employability and integration into host communities.
- Safety Nets: Establishing social safety nets for circular migrants during times of crisis, such as the pandemic, is essential to prevent humanitarian disasters.
- Integration Efforts: Encouraging integration initiatives in destination areas can help migrants feel more included and less marginalized.
- Data Collection and Research: Governments should invest in data collection and research to better understand the extent and dynamics of circular migration.
Conclusion
- Circular migration presents a viable pathway to balance the needs of development and individual economic advancement. As circular migration continues to shape the global landscape, it is imperative that governments and policymakers adapt their strategies to harness its potential for the greater good.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CAG
Mains level: Key challenges faced by the CAG in auditing AI system and The Need for AI Regulation in India
What’s the news?
- The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Girish Chandra Murmu, who chairs the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) of the G20, has raised a crucial concern regarding the increasing reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for auditing purposes
Central idea
- The CAG has warned that the absolute dependence on AI may result in inaccurate audit findings and emphasized the significance of ethics as the foundation of responsible AI. In the realm of auditing, where transparency, objectivity, fairness, and bias avoidance are paramount, addressing these challenges is imperative.
The Imperative of Responsible and Ethical AI
- Credibility and Trust in Auditing: The credibility and trustworthiness of audit findings hinge on responsible AI practices. Without ethical AI, there is a risk of generating inaccurate audit results, which could undermine trust in the auditing process.
- Data Integrity: The utmost importance is placed on data integrity in AI auditing. Responsible AI dictates that audit data must be complete, accurate, and relevant. Ensuring data integrity is paramount to prevent potentially misleading audit findings.
- Ethical Data Usage: Responsible AI practices demand the use of data only from authorized and reputable sources. Leveraging data from unverified or unauthorized sources, such as social media, introduces biases and threatens the audit process’s integrity.
- Regulation in India: It is imperative to address the need for AI regulation in India, drawing inspiration from the European Union’s AI Act as a pioneering example. Such regulations are seen as essential for promoting responsible and ethical AI use across various domains, including auditing.
- Challenges for Auditors: Auditors at the CAG face an array of challenges when auditing AI systems. These include the imperative for data standardization, regulatory compliance, and the development of auditor expertise. These challenges underscore the significance of adhering to ethical AI practices.
- International Audit Framework: The establishment of a common international audit framework for AI is deemed crucial. Such a framework would provide auditors with guidance on navigating the complexities of AI auditing while ensuring ethical standards are upheld.
| EU AI Act as a Pioneering Example
The approval of the EU AI Act by the European Parliament serves as a pioneering example of comprehensive AI regulation.
It introduces stringent restrictions and scrutiny for generative AI tools, like ChatGPT.
India can learn from the EU’s approach to regulate AI technologies effectively. |
Challenges faced by the CAG in auditing AI systems
- AI Regulation and Data Standardization: Establishing effective AI regulations and data standardization for consistent and accurate AI audits.
- Data Source Authentication: Verifying the authenticity and reliability of data sources, especially those from unauthorized origins, impacting audit accuracy.
- Data Integration and Cross-Referencing: Managing the complexity of integrating and cross-referencing data from diverse government sources and platforms, affecting audit efficiency.
- Data Platform Synchronization: Achieving synchronization of data platforms across government entities through IT policies to streamline the audit process.
- Digitalization Challenges: Addressing security concerns associated with digitalization initiatives, particularly in defense audits.
- Lack of Precedents for AI Audits: Adapting existing IT frameworks and regulations for AI audits due to the absence of established precedents, adding complexity to the process.
Compliance Issues in Auditing AI Systems
- Variety of AI Auditing Frameworks: Global organizations have developed multiple AI auditing frameworks, including the COBIT framework for AI audit, the US Government Accountability Office framework, and the COSO ERM Framework. These diverse frameworks can lead to challenges in standardization and consistency in AI auditing practices.
- Draft Guidance from the U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office: The U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office has published draft guidance on the AI auditing framework. While this guidance is a step forward, it may not provide comprehensive and universally accepted standards, leading to potential inconsistencies in AI audits.
- Data Protection Impact Assessments: Organizations are legally required to conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments when using AI systems that process personal data. Ensuring compliance with these assessments adds complexity to AI audits, particularly regarding data privacy and security.
Measures to Address these Challenges
- Establish Clear AI Regulations and Data Standards: Advocate for the development and implementation of clear and comprehensive AI regulations and data standards to ensure audit consistency.
- Implement Robust Data Verification Procedures: Implement robust data verification procedures and protocols, emphasizing the use of reliable and authorized data sources.
- Develop Standardized Data Integration Methods: Develop standardized data integration methods and tools to simplify the process of cross-referencing data from various sources.
- Enforce Data Platform Synchronization: Prioritize the synchronization of data platforms across government entities through the formulation and enforcement of IT policies.
- Enhance Security Measures for Digitalization: Continuously assess and enhance security measures for digitalization initiatives, especially when dealing with sensitive data in defense audits.
- Engage with Stakeholders to Develop AI-Specific Frameworks: Engage with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies and AI experts, to develop AI-specific auditing frameworks and standards, adapting existing IT frameworks as needed.
The Need for AI Regulation in India
- Ensuring Accuracy and Fair Use of Data: AI-generated content may raise issues related to copyright infringement and intellectual property rights. Regulatory frameworks can address these concerns and establish guidelines for the ethical and lawful use of data and content generated by AI systems.
- Mitigating AI Bias: AI bias, which often stems from human bias in training data, poses inherent risks. Regulations can stipulate measures to mitigate bias and promote fairness in AI algorithms and decision-making processes.
- Protection of Privacy: As AI technologies increasingly interact with personal data, privacy concerns arise. Regulatory frameworks can establish clear guidelines for data protection and privacy, safeguarding individuals’ personal information.
- Consumer Protection: Regulations can protect consumers from AI-driven practices that may be deceptive or harmful. This includes measures to ensure transparency and fairness in AI-powered products and services.
- Harmonious Fusion of Technology and Ethics: Achieving a harmonious fusion of technological progress and ethical considerations, as envisioned by Elon Musk, requires a multifaceted approach. Regulations can provide a structured framework for achieving this balance.
What else?
- Innovations in Ethical AI: Innovations like Elon Musk’s “Truth GPT,” aimed at creating a “maximum truth-seeking AI,” underscore the need for ethical AI development. Regulations can encourage and guide such innovations to align with ethical considerations and safety standards.
- Global Trend Towards AI Regulation: Prominent global leaders, including the U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, are actively pursuing AI safety regulation. India can follow suit to ensure that it remains aligned with international AI standards and fosters collaboration in AI safety measures.
Conclusion
- As AI continues to play an increasingly significant role in auditing, the CAG must navigate complex challenges to ensure the credibility and accuracy of audit findings. India, too, needs to consider robust AI regulation while upholding ethics and data integrity to safeguard the integrity of the audit process and maintain public trust.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: India's Milk Production
Mains level: Milk crisis in India, factors behind and consequences
What’s the news?
- India, the world’s leading milk producer for decades, faces a concerning dilemma as milk prices soar to all-time highs.
Central Idea
- India is grappling with an unprecedented milk crisis, despite accounting for a quarter of global milk production. In 2021–22, the country produced a staggering 221 million tonnes of milk, as reported by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). However, the situation on the ground paints a different picture, with milk prices reaching record highs.
The price surge
- The Department of Consumer Affairs reveals a sharp 18.08 percent increase in the average retail price of milk over the past two years.
- A liter of milk, once priced at Rs 49.18 in 2021, now costs upwards of Rs 58. This dramatic price rise, commencing in 2022–23, has been the chief driver of food inflation across the nation, as highlighted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
Underlying factors behind India’s milk crisis
- Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD):
- One of the primary factors contributing to the milk crisis is the outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) among cattle and buffaloes.
- This disease, first reported in Odisha in 2019, has since spread to almost all states in India. Between July 2022 and 2023, more than 3.2 million cattle and buffaloes contracted LSD, with 0.2 million of them succumbing to the disease.
- LSD has not only caused significant mortality but has also led to a substantial drop in milk production, ranging from 20 to 50 percent, depending on the breed.
- COVID-19 Pandemic Impact:
- The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on India’s dairy sector. During the lockdowns, many farmers reduced the size of their herds in response to disrupted milk demand.
- This exodus of dairy farmers, even during the flush season from October to March, when animals naturally produce more milk, has affected the country’s overall milk production.
- Dairy farmers who continued their operations despite the pandemic faced an acute shortage of dry fodder in 2022. This shortage was partly caused by a decline in wheat stocks due to an unusually hot March in 2022.
- As a result, farmers have been grappling with steadily rising fodder prices, affecting both the quantity and quality of the feed provided to their cattle.
- Dairy farmers are increasingly opting for crossbred cows over buffaloes.
- While buffalo milk typically has a higher fat content (7–10 percent), crossbred cows have a higher milk yield, averaging 8.52 kg per day in 2021–22, compared to a buffalo’s average of 5.96 kg per day.
- This shift in preference has led to a significant increase in the population of crossbred cows, while the population of female buffalo and indigenous cows has grown at a slower rate.
- Buffaloes tend to be more expensive than cows, with the average cost of a good-breed buffalo ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.
- In cases where dairy farming experiences losses, it becomes challenging for farmers to recover their investments.
- Additionally, buffaloes have been perceived as less productive compared to cows in certain scenarios, particularly when it comes to maintaining consistent milk production.
Hidden Crisis: Artificial Insemination
- Role of Artificial Insemination:
- Artificial insemination plays a pivotal role in enhancing milk production in India.
- While the adoption rate of this technology in the country is around 30 percent, it has led to the development of high-yield crossbreeds and improved indigenous breeds.
- These high-yield animals significantly contribute to the overall growth of the dairy sector.
- Missed artificial insemination:
- The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns and restrictions had a profound impact on the practice of artificial insemination.
- Between 2020 and 2022, as lockdowns and movement restrictions were imposed, India likely missed conducting approximately 16.84 million artificial insemination.
- This represents a significant setback in efforts to improve breed productivity.
- Impact on Milk Production:
- The missed artificial insemination have had a cascading impact on milk production.
- Before the pandemic, India was steadily increasing its adoption of artificial insemination, with over 80 million insemination conducted in 2019–20.
- However, the subsequent drop in insemination numbers means that India potentially missed the chance to add 2.97 million high-yield female cattle to its livestock inventory between 2020 and 2022.
- Each missed artificial insemination results in both milk loss and additional maintenance costs until a successful conception occurs.
- The estimated loss per missed conception is approximately Rs 7,948.50. This loss quickly accumulates, resulting in a national loss of Rs 824 crore in just the month of April 2020.
Far-reaching Consequences of India’s Milk Crisis
- Economic Impact: The sharp rise in milk prices coupled with supply constraints can lead to reduced incomes for dairy farmers, potentially pushing many into financial distress.
- Food Inflation: As milk and dairy products are dietary staples for a considerable portion of the population, their increased prices can strain household budgets and lead to higher food costs for consumers.
- Nutrition and Food Security: Milk is a vital source of nutrition, particularly for children. Rising milk prices can reduce access to this nutritious food source for vulnerable populations, potentially affecting the nutritional status and food security of millions.
- Rural Livelihoods: Dairy farming serves as a primary source of income for numerous rural households in India. The ongoing crisis directly impacts the livelihoods of these families, causing economic instability and necessitating alternative income sources.
- Agricultural Productivity: Dairy farming often complements crop production, so disruptions in the dairy sector can have ripple effects on overall agricultural performance.
- Global Trade: As one of the world’s major milk producers, India’s domestic dairy challenges can have implications for the global dairy market. Disruptions in production and trade can impact international dairy prices and trade dynamics.
Way forward
- Disease Control: Implement robust disease control measures, including vaccination programs, quarantine protocols, and veterinary support, to prevent the further spread of diseases like lumpy skin disease (LSD) affecting livestock.
- Fodder Management: Develop strategies to increase fodder production, conservation, and distribution to ensure a consistent supply for dairy cattle and buffaloes, addressing challenges posed by fodder shortages.
- Artificial Insemination Programs: Renew the focus on artificial insemination programs to recover from the setbacks caused by missed insemination during the pandemic. This includes technology adoption, training for insemination technicians, and incentives for farmers.
- Genetic Improvement: Continue efforts in genetic improvement through artificial insemination to boost milk production, focusing on enhancing the productivity of high-yield dairy cattle and buffaloes.
- Price Stabilization: Consider measures to stabilize milk prices, potentially involving price support mechanisms or policies to balance supply and demand.
- Government Policy Review: Assess and update existing government initiatives in the dairy sector as necessary, making policy adjustments to address evolving challenges faced by dairy farmers.
Conclusion
- India’s dairy sector, once a beacon of success, now faces multifaceted challenges that threaten its stability. As the nation endeavors to restore its dairy glory, policymakers, researchers, and farmers must collaborate to navigate these challenging times and secure the future of India’s dairy industry.
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