WORLD FOOD ORGANISATION
2024 Budget: Transforming India's agriculture for climate resilience and food security
Budget: The 2024 budget presents a chance to sow the seeds of a transformed agricultural sector - resilient, sustainable, empowered. By embracing innovation, investing in the future and placing the farmer at the heart of the equation, India can cultivate a productive agricultural landscape that supports its people and the world's.
SCO chair Kazakhstan to host unique World Nomadic Games celebrating Central Asian spirit
Kazakhstan will host the SCO Summit this week and is set to organize a series of international events this year, including the ‘World Nomadic Games’ to celebrate local traditions. The country, under President Tokayev, plans to maintain a balanced foreign policy while hosting numerous international forums in 2024.
India has taken lead in ensuring 'One Health' goals: Niti Aayog's Dr VK Paul
India is ahead of several countries in drafting a legal framework to support the implementation of the 'One Health' initiative, which integrates the health of people, animals, and the environment. The 'One Health' approach is crucial for addressing complex health challenges such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and climate change. India is framing National Action Plan 2.0 to address antimicrobial resistance issues, conceptualizing the One Health Mission, and working on broader issues of climate change.
WHO warns alarming levels of physical inactivity among Indians, says women more physically inactive than men
A study in The Lancet Global Health highlights that nearly 50% of Indian adults are physically inactive, posing severe health risks. The study shows a significant rise in inactivity from 2000 to 2022, with women being more affected than men. City doctors attribute this to sedentary office work and poor diets. The lack of physical activity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and psychological issues. Experts stress the need for regular exercise and healthier lifestyles to address this growing concern.
Climate-proofing India's daily bread: The race for resilient wheat
Satveer Singh's family relies on a sack of wheat flour to stave off hunger. They barely manage, aided by government rations, despite irregular supply. Extreme weather has slashed India's wheat production, forcing the government to cut rations and halt exports. Efforts are underway to develop climate-resilient wheat varieties, crucial for food security.
Climate-proofing India's daily bread: The race for resilient wheat
Climate change impacts - including harsher heat, drought and floods - pose a major emerging threat to food security in India and elsewhere, accelerating diverse efforts to introduce crops that are better able to withstand shifting conditions.
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More food processing units across country will boost farmer income, generate employment: Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing
India’s food processing sector has immense potential both at national and international levels, said Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries.
India's world-beating growth pace to continue, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das
"In the first three quarters of 2023-24, the current account deficit was 1.2% (of GDP)," Das said. "Our teams are working on the fourth quarter numbers. They look to be even lower, and when you look at the annual current account deficit number, I will not be surprised next week when we publish the current account deficit numbers - they could be even lower than 1% (of GDP)," he said at the ET Now event.
5 Indian schools on shortlist for World's Best School Prizes 2024
Five Indian schools are in the top 10 shortlists for the annual World's Best School Prizes in the UK, organized by T4 Education. Vikas Pota, the founder, highlights the impact of schools like Government CM RISE Model HSS, Jhabua; Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj; and G H S S Vinoba Ambedakar Nagar, Ratlam.
Ukraine summit attracts world leaders but fails to isolate Russia
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, French President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of Germany, Italy, Britain, Canada and Japan are among those set to attend the June 15-16 meeting at the Swiss mountaintop resort of Buergenstock.
How the Olympics can drive a food revolution?
The Olympics have played a significant role in transforming food cultures globally. The 1988 Seoul Olympics highlighted Korean dog meat dining, leading to increased opposition and eventual bans as pet ownership rose. The 1964 Tokyo Olympics introduced French chefs to Japanese cooking, influencing nouvelle cuisine. The 1992 Barcelona Olympics showcased Spanish molecular gastronomy. The 1956 Melbourne Olympics revolutionized Australian cuisine by bringing in European chefs and promoting fine wines.
Move on from fafda, paratha and cater to international quality: Food Processing Secy tells industry
Anita Praveen, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, says the time has come to start manufacturing products that appeal to everyone's taste globally.
Top startup & tech stories this week
Welcome to a brand new edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter. The week was packed with important stories broken by our reporters. Here’s a recap if you missed these stories.
World's largest humanitarian network calls for Gaza ceasefire
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has called for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, where millions are facing severe hunger. The appeal comes nearly seven months after Israel launched a significant offensive in response to Hamas-led attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel. IFRC President Kate Forbes emphasized the need for a political solution to allow aid delivery, highlighting the dire conditions she witnessed in Rafah, Gaza, including inadequate housing, water, sanitation, and medical supplies.
Israel furious as Ireland, Norway, Spain recognise Palestinian state
Israel reacted with fury as Ireland, Norway, and Spain announced plans to recognise Palestine. the move prompted praise from Arab and Muslim nations. Israel accused the countries of "rewarding terrorism." Most Western nations support for a Palestinian statehood, but issues remain. The move was seen as a symbolic step in favour of Palestine.
World Hypertension Day: Identifying risks, monitoring high BP, and adopting preventive measures to address this silent killer
To address the ticking bomb called hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, The Economic Times, in collaboration with USV, brings a special World Hypertension Day episode titled ‘The Brain, The Heart, and The Kidney: The Trifecta of Hypertension’, featuring a panel of esteemed experts, Dr. Ajit Mehta, Dr Soumik Chaudhuri, and Dr. Basavaraj G S. This significant discussion aimed to address the critical connection between hypertension and our vital organs. Here are the highlights.
Flash floods due to unusually heavy seasonal rains kill at least 68 people in Afghanistan
Flash floods in Afghanistan kill 68, with 50 dead in Ghor and 18 in Farayab. Abdul Wahid Hamas reports significant financial losses in Ghor, including damage to Feroz Koh. Esmatullah Moradi confirms damages in Farayab. UN reports 2500 affected families in Ghor. WFP aids flood victims in Baghlan, inaccessible by trucks. Taliban urges support for affected communities.
How to make every rupee count
The international aid squeeze has led to a reduction in official development assistance (ODA) to food systems, creating a financing gap of $350 billion per year. Multilateral development banks (MDBs) and international financial institutions (IFIs) play a crucial role in this context but need to improve impact assessment and reporting. The World Bank has shown leadership with its scorecard, but more needs to be done to quantify the cost of inaction.
India calls for reinvigorating discussions on development agenda at WTO
India emphasizes reinvigorating WTO discussions on development for tangible progress, highlighting finance, technology, and food security. Marrakesh Agreement crucial. Proposed thematic sessions to address developmental needs.
In Vietnam, farmers reduce methane emissions by changing how they grow rice
Vietnam is the world's third-largest rice exporter, and the staple importance to Vietnamese culture is palpable in the Mekong Delta.
A mission of mercy, then a fatal mistake: How an aid convoy in Gaza became Israel's target
After a gruelling crawl along a beaten up road, it seemed like mission accomplished. The convoy dropped off its precious cargo at a warehouse, and the team prepared to head home. There wasn't much more than a sliver of moon that night. The roads were dark, except for occasional patches where light spilled from buildings with their own generators.
UN Security Council to vote on new Gaza ceasefire resolution
The UN Security Council is set to vote on a new draft resolution on an "immediate" ceasefire in Gaza, following Russia and China's veto of an earlier text proposed by the United States. The Council has been divided over the Israel-Hamas war since the October 7 attacks, approving only two of eight resolutions, mainly dealing with humanitarian aid to the devastated Gaza Strip.
Blinken heads to Mideast as Israel-Hamas war threatens famine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's mission to secure a truce in the Israel-Hamas war amid rising concern over Gaza's famine threat and Palestinian casualties. Efforts focus on halting the conflict and releasing hostages.
Global economy is weighed down by war, uncertainty and instability, trade chief warns
World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted global economic challenges, urging reform amid uncertainty. She praised the WTO's role but warned of rising prices affecting people's livelihoods and fueling political tensions. With elections in many countries, including the US, looming, the WTO faces potential changes in leadership and policies. Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the importance of multilateralism in trade, addressing criticisms from the US and others. Despite efforts to address issues like overfishing subsidies, the WTO's future remains uncertain amidst global economic complexities.
Despite India push, US avoiding talks on food security measures
At a WTO agriculture negotiations meeting held on Tuesday, the US said a permanent solution for public stockholding, which includes subsidised procurement, is not possible even as India insisted that it has to be dealt with separately on a fast track as per the existing mandates and has to be delivered at MC13.
UK Defence Minister to visit Israel, West Bank to push humanitarian aid in Gaza
British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps plans to visit Israel and the West Bank, aiming to expedite humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. Discussions on aid routes by land, sea, and air are scheduled with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Royal Air Force flights have delivered aid to Egypt for Palestinians. Shapps will address hostage recovery efforts, notably Britons held by Hamas. The Rafah border opening for foreign nationals and aid access remains vital. UN agencies warn of Gaza's dire conditions amid limited fuel and a collapsing health system.
Over 50 cough syrup makers fail quality tests
Likewise, Central Drugs Testing Laboratory (CDTL) Mumbai analysed 523 samples, out of which 18 samples from 10 firms failed quality tests. Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory (RDTL) Chandigarh released 284 test reports, and 23 samples from 10 firms were NSQ. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) Ghaziabad released 502 reports, out of which 29 from nine firms failed the quality test.
Desi pharma pangs continue for India despite dose to fortify pharmacy of the world tag
India, once the 'pharmacy of the world', is struggling to establish itself as an elite player due to poor manufacturing practices that have led to deaths in some parts of the world, including children. The deaths of children in Gambia in 2022 and the deaths of 65 children in Uzbekistan last year have highlighted the lapse in the quality of drug production in certain India-based pharmaceuticals.
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