Context:
State of Food and Agriculture 2024 report released.
State of Food and Agriculture report:
- Released by – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Highlights of 2024 report:
- Reveals staggering global agrifood hidden costs of approximately USD 12 trillion annually\
- Primarily linked to unhealthy dietary patterns and associated non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
- Hidden costs – Economic burdens that are not reflected in the market price of food products.
- It includes health costs and environmental degradation that arise from the agrifood system among others.
- India ranks 3rd largest globally in terms of hidden costs, after China and the USA.
- 73% of these costs are due to high processed food consumption and low plant-based food intake.
- Environmental and Social Costs of Agrifood System –
- Unsustainable practices cost USD 720 billion in the forms of greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen runoff etc.
- Environmental costs can reach up to 20% of GDP in countries facing prolonged crisis.
- Unsustainable practices are also leading to Social Costs, including poverty and undernourishment
Source: Down To Earth
Previous Year Question
The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?
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:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)