UY

Utkarsh Yadav· 2024

Question 15GS2GS2

Discuss the role of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure food security in India. Suggest necessary reforms in the functioning of FCI to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.

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Main Body

The Food Corporation of India FCI is the nodal agency mandated under the National Food Security Act NFSA 2013 to ensure food security in India. Role of FCI in Public Distribution System PDS to ensure food security: (1) Procurement: FCI is the nodal agency for procuring food grains from farmers at MSP. (2) Transportation and Storage: FCI is responsible for safe storage and transport of food grains in warehouses. (3) Supply to states: FCI supplies food-grains to states at Central issue Price to be supplied to beneficiary via PDS. (4) Digitisation and Reforms:

multitable reform like e-PDS modules, identification of ration shops, Core-Ration and Ration card to improve food delivery and ensure food security. Challenges in FCI functioning: (1) Skewed procurement: Majority procured of mixed and rice (others 96%) and Wheat oil seeds, etc not adopted procured. (2) Required imbalance: Most FCI godowns centralized in both west and states of food grains Project Hansi. (3) Corruption and leakages: India in states of food grains Project Hansi. (4) Regular reports of extravagance and rotting of food grains. (5) Limited storage capacity of FCI. Reforms in FCI's functioning: (1) Diversification of food grains procured to incentivize cultivation of pulses and millet.

3Decentralise the procurement from local farmers and supplying to local farmers improve efficiency and reduce cost. (4) Invergation of technology like Block-Chain AI to enhance supply chain management. (5) Digitisation of supply chain to reduce corruption and leakages. (6) Involvement of private sector in creating warehouses and cold storage capacity. (7) Rationalise expenditure to reduce the overall food subsidy burden. (8) Ensure not just food security but also focus on nutritional security. Reform and Revitalisation of FCI remains crucial to deal with challenges of hunger and poverty and achieve SDGs (No poverty) and SDGs (No hunger).

Nanotechnology relates to the science and engineering of materials at the nanoscale i.e. 1 to 100 nanometers. Role of nano-technology in enhancing agricultural productivity and food security: (1) Optimising output input: nano-technology can enhance the input efficiency by reducing cost b prevents wastages eg. Nano ewsay liquid by IFFOCE. (2) Nano sensors can be used to monitor crop health and lead to precision farming. (3) Nanotechnology has applications in domain of food fortification to improve nutrition.

b solve malnutrition problem and enhance nutritional security. Recent developments in nanotechnology: (1) Nanotechnology used to develop bitter fertilizers and pesticides. b nano-liquid viruses. (2) Nanotechnology is used in targeted drug delivery b use of gold nano peptide to deliver cancer drug. (3) Nano-materials like quantum dots are being developed. (4) Materials like capsular carbon nanotubes transect, fine inside granuing applications. Potential Benefits of nano seed and fertilizer and pesticides: (1) Improve overall efficiency of input use and reduce wastages. (2) Help in preventing soil degradation which was common due to

Recent developments in nanotechnology: (1) Nanotechnology used to develop better fertilizers and pesticides and nano-liquid sprays. (2) Nanotechnology is used in targeted drug delivery. Use of gold nano-particle to deliver cancer drugs. (3) Nano-materials like quantum dots are being developed. (4) Materials like graphene, carbon nanotube, etc. have promising applications. Potential benefits of nano ores and fertilizers: (1) Improve overall efficiency of input use and reduce wastage. (2) Help in preventing soil degradation which was common due to over use of these inputs. (3) Help address environmental challenge like bioaccumulation. (4) Reduce the overall cost of input and help improve farm income. (5) Enhance agriculture productivity by targeted input delivery. (6) Reduce overall subsidy burden of government B fertilizer subsidy is 80k crore.

— Utkarsh Yadav

586 words1 paragraphs

Conclusion

Reform and Revitalisation of FCI remains crucial to deal with challenges of hunger and poverty and achieve SDGs (No poverty) and SDGs (No hunger). Various application of quantum dots hold wide ranging applications across sectors.

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Topper

Utkarsh Yadav

2024

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Government Policies and Interventions - Design, Implementation and Issues

Government Schemes and Policies

Food Corporation of India

Writing Stats

621

Total words

1

Paragraphs

analytical

Tone

Linked PYQ

Vinod is an honest and sincere IAS officer. Recently, he has taken over as Managing Director of the State Road Transport Corporation, his sixth transfer in the past three years. His peers acknowledge his vast knowledge affability and uprightness. The Chairman of the State Road Transport Corporation is a powerful politician and is very close to the Chief Minister. Vinod comes to know about many alleged irregularities of the Corporation and the high-handedness of the Chairman in financial matters. A Board Member of the Corporation belonging to the Opposition Party meets Vinod and hands over a few documents along with a video recording in which the Chairman appears to be demanding bribe for placing a huge order for the supply of QMR tyres. Vinod recollects the Chairman expediting the clearing of pending bills of QMR tyres. Vinod confronts the Board Member as to why he is shying away from exposing the Chairman with the so-called solid proof he has with him. The members inform him that the Chairman refuses to yield to his threats. He adds that Vinod may earn recognition and public support if he himself exposes the Chairman. Further, he tells Vined that once his party comes to power, Vinod’s professional growth would be assured. Vinod is aware that he may be penalised if he exposes the Chairman and may further be transferred to a distant place. He knows that Opposition Party stands a better chance of coming to power in the forthcoming elections. However, he also realises that the Board Member is trying to use him for his own political gains. (a): As a conscientious civil servant, evaluate the options available to Vinod. (b): In the light of the above case, comment upon the ethical issues that may arise due to the politicization of bureaucracy.

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