21st September 2024

Article: 21^st September, 2024

Topic: 100 years since the discovery of Indus Valley Civilisation

Relevance: GS Paper: 1 – History

Source: Hindustan Times

Context

The centennial of the announcement of the Indus Valley civilisation’s discovery falls on September 20, 2024.

The Harappan Civilization

• Along with Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Harappan civilization is regarded as one of the oldest in history.
• It is also referred to as the Indus Valley Civilization because it flourished along the Indus River.
• Because so many artifacts consisting of alloys based on copper have been discovered, the Harappan civilization is classified as a Bronze-age civilization.
• In 1921–1922, Daya Ram Sahni began excavating Harappa, and in 1922, Rakhal Das Banerji began work on Mohenjo-daro.
  
  

Enormous civilization

• One can categorize the Harappan civilization into an;

–   Early Period (3200–2600 BCE),

• the mature era between 2600 and 1900 BCE, and

• the last phase, which lasted from 1900 to 1500 BCE before collapsing.

• Currently, it covers 1.5 million square kilometers at 2,000 locations in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
  – In northwest India, there are roughly 1,500 locations, spread across Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
  – There are a few in Afghanistan and roughly 500 in Pakistan.
• The five most important Harappan sites are Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Ganweriwala (now in Pakistan), Rakhigarhi, and Dholavira (both in India).

Importance of the discovery

• The majority of historians believed that the beginning of settled life in this region happened around the sixth century BCE, creating a void in the history of South Asia.
• The “gap” was closed with the discovery of the Harappan civilisation.
• The discovery also revealed the existence of a third ancient Asian civilization in addition to the Egyptian and Mesopotamian ones, and it also clarified the Harappan civilization’s maritime interactions with West Asia beginning in 3000 BCE.
  
  

Principal Features of Civilization

• Their towns had thoughtful urban planning, with brick homes arranged in rows along the roads.
• Each home had multiple rooms, a kitchen, and a staircase.
• They had proper drainage systems, wells, and bathrooms in their courtyards.
• The Harappans adorned themselves with jewellery made of semi-precious stones, clay, ivory, gold, silver, and shell, among other materials.
• Trade and Commerce: Mesopotamia, Afghanistan, and the Arabian Peninsula were all part of the civilization’s vast trading networks.

• Religion and Iconography: Various symbols and motifs that are thought to be connected to religious beliefs are depicted in Harappan artifacts.
• These depict animals like bulls and mythical characters like the “Priest King,” which may allude to a possible respect for particular creatures.
• Craftsmanship and artistry: The Harappans created elaborate ceramics, such as the well-known red pieces with black paint designs.
• They also worked with terracotta, steatite, and other materials to create jewellery, sculptures, and seals.

• Agriculture: They raised cotton, wheat, barley, and peas as crops.
• Social Organization: The evidence points to a hierarchical structure, indicating that the society was probably stratified. The presence of public buildings and differences in housing sizes serve as indicators of this.
• Decline and Disappearance: Historians and archaeologists continue to argue over the causes of the Harappan Civilization’s decline.
• Changes in the environment, such as modifications to river courses, as well as incursions and internal conflicts.

Major sites of IVC

Conclusion

• The Harappan civilization has fascinated and perplexed town planners, epigraphists, metallurgists, astronomers, and others for the past 100 years. They are intrigued by its mysteries.
• It was a “technological powerhouse” at the height of its affluence, with expertise in fortification walls, seafaring boats, reservoir construction, underground sullage systems, town planning, and water harvesting.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Mains Model Questions

Q. What were the primary causes of the Indus Valley Civilization’s decline?

Introduction:

One of the oldest and most developed civilizations in antiquity was the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). It reached its peak in the area that is now northwest India and Pakistan between 2600 and 1900 BCE. But eventually, the civilization deteriorated and fell apart, leaving mysterious ruins and mysteries in its wake.

Body:

The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization was caused by factors.

Environmental Elements:

• The Indus River’s yearly flooding contributed to the fertility of the area where the Indus Valley Civilization thrived. On the other hand, natural disasters and climate change might have contributed significantly to its demise.
  – For instance, a protracted dry spell that persisted for multiple decades may have resulted in the depletion of natural resources, including water and food.
• In a similar vein, a string of earthquakes and floods might have harmed city infrastructure and interrupted trade routes.
• Moreover, one of the primary water sources for the Indus Valley Civilization—the Saraswati River—drying up may have had a role in the civilization’s downfall.
  – The main sector of the economy, agriculture, would have been impacted by the loss of water resources.

Financial factors:
– Long-distance trade with other civilizations was a part of the sophisticated trade and commerce system of the urban Indus Valley Civilization.

• However, the stability of the civilization’s economy might have been impacted by economic factors like an excessive dependence on a single crop, the disintegration of trade networks, and the opening up of new trade routes.
• Moreover, food shortages and an economic downturn may have resulted from the decrease in agricultural productivity brought on by soil fatigue or environmental factors.
• One significant trading partner of the Indus Valley Civilization, Mesopotamia, saw a decline in trade, which may have contributed to the civilization’s downfall.
• Although the exact causes of this trade network’s collapse are unknown, political or economic issues may be involved.

Social Factors
– There is evidence that the social structure of the IVC was hierarchical. But perhaps with time, this system has lost some of its effectiveness. The IVC’s cities had intricate sewage and drainage systems and were extremely well planned and structured.

• But there is evidence that suggests the infrastructure began to fail toward the end of civilization. This might have happened as a result of insufficient funds, personnel, or capable leadership.

Conclusion:

The Indus Valley Civilization declined probably due to a confluence of social, economic, geographic, and environmental factors. Rivers drying up, natural catastrophes, a collapse in trade networks, and a collapsing social and economic infrastructure were probably contributing factors to the civilization’s downfall.
– Even though there is still a great deal to learn about the IVC, researching its decline can reveal important information about the elements that influence civilizations’ rise and fall.

Article: 21^st September, 2024

Topic: Food processing sector growth

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Economy

Source: The Week

Context

The Prime Minister stated that during the past ten years, India has implemented “wide-ranging” reforms to revolutionize the food processing industry at the third World Food India 2024 event.

What is Food processing?

• The use of machinery, energy, and tools to convert agricultural products like grains, meats, vegetables, fruits, and milk into food ingredients or processed food products is known as food processing.
• Numerous tasks, including preparation, cooking, preservation, packaging, and fortification, can fall under this category.
• Scientific development goes into creating formulations and processing methods that guarantee food safety by removing potentially hazardous chemical contaminants and microorganisms that could lead to foodborne illnesses.
  
  

India’s Food Processing Industry

• It is projected that the food processing industry in India will grow from US$ 866 billion in 2022 to US$ 1,274 billion in 2027.
• Food consumption is predicted to increase to US$ 1.2 trillion by 2025–2026 as a result of shifting consumption patterns and urbanization.
• The packaged food and beverage industry in India is expanding significantly; by 2028, the market is expected to reach US$ 46.3 billion from US$ 33.7 billion in 2023.
• Causes of the Sector’s Growth: India is the world’s largest producer of milk and spices, and it ranks highly in the production of meat, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.
• India has a competitive advantage in the food processing industry due to its access to numerous natural resources.

Challenges

• Cold Chain Logistics: A major amount of food is wasted, particularly perishable goods, when there are insufficient cold storage facilities.
• Transportation: Inadequate road and transportation infrastructure impede the flow of goods, thereby compromising their quality and freshness.
• Complicated Compliance: It can be difficult for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to navigate the many rules and guidelines established by organizations such as the FSSAI.
• Bureaucratic Delays: It can take a while to get licenses and approvals, which can have an impact on how businesses operate.
• Limited Adoption of Modern Techniques: The lack of access to sophisticated processing equipment and technologies limits the efficiency and scalability of many small processors.
• Price Sensitivity: Processors’ margins are under pressure because consumers are frequently price-sensitive.

• Inconsistent Supply: Weather-related variations in agricultural output cause supply chain disruptions, which in turn cause shortages and price volatility.
• Health Consciousness: Processors must adjust their offerings to meet the growing demand for organic and healthier options, which can demand a lot of resources.
• Changing Tastes: Product development and innovation must always be on the rise due to the quick changes in consumer preferences.
• Waste Management: To reduce the environmental impact of food processing operations, effective waste management systems are required.
  
  

Government Initiatives

• One of the proposed measures to attract investment is to exempt all processed food items from the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act of 1951’s licensing requirements.
• Subject to sectoral regulations, 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is allowed through the automatic route for the food processing industry.
• 100% Foreign Direct Investment for trading, including e-commerce, in relation to food products made or produced in India, with government approval.
• Reduced GST applies to both raw and processed goods; food products falling under different chapter heads and sub-heads account for over 71.7% of the lower tax slabs, which are 0% and 5%.
• In order to provide technical, financial, and business support for the establishment or improvement of 2 lakh Micro Food Processing Enterprises, MoFPI is also implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme called the PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME).

• For the years 2021–2022 to 2026–2027, MoFPI has also introduced the Production Linked Incentive scheme (PLIS), which aims to develop global food champions and raise the profile of Indian food brands overseas.

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), introduced in 2016, the program seeks to create modern food processing infrastructure and promote the development of food processing units.

• The National Food Processing Policy seeks to promote innovation in the industry and increase the capacity for food processing.
• Market Access: Through a variety of channels, such as direct selling and e-commerce, efforts are being made to increase market access for processed food products.
  
  

Conclusion 

• The food ecosystem in India presents a plethora of investment opportunities, thanks to favorable fiscal incentives, supportive economic policies, and growing growth in the food retail sector.
• The Indian government is making all the required efforts to increase investments in the food processing sector in India through the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Mains Model Questions

Q. What are the challenges and opportunities in food processing sector in the country? How can income of the farmers be sustainably increased by encouraging food processing? (UPSC PYQ 2020)

Introduction:

The distribution, packaging, preservation, and processing of food items are just a few of the many tasks that fall under the umbrella of the food processing sector. India’s food processing industry is a major driver of the nation’s economy and a major force behind the expansion and advancement of the agricultural sector.

Body:

Possibilities for the food processing industry:

• Raw material availability: India has 52% arable land, compared to the global average of 11%. It is the second-largest producer of fisheries, fruits and vegetables, cereals, and other goods. It also has the greatest population of livestock, accounting for 17% of the world’s milk supply.
• Food High-yield Varieties (HYV): Food high-yield varieties (HYV) with short shelf lives include dairy and horticulture. This is where farmers’ income can be increased through the use of FPI.
• Diversity: India offers a wide range of raw materials that can be used to create a wide range of inventive food products.
• Potential for expansion: China currently processes 23 percent of India’s food material, while the US processes 65 percent. Additionally, India offers a cheap labor force that can be upskilled as needed.
• Ensuring Nutritional Security: When vitamins and minerals are added to processed foods, the population’s nutritional gap can be closed.
• Large Consumption Economy: As living standards and earnings rise, there is a demand for ready-to-eat or cook foods as well as safe processed foods.
  
  
  

Challenges in the food processing sector:

• Inadequate supply chain integration: High seasonality, perishability, improper intermediation (supply chain), and a lack of mechanization all contribute to a lack of availability of raw material. Due to inadequate infrastructure, more than 30% of the produce from the farm gate is lost.
• Infrastructure bottlenecks: To minimize waste, FPIs require top-notch infrastructure and logistics support. Airline and Railway support would be needed for this.
• Unskilled labor: To be employable in the FPI sector, the current labor force in the farming industry needs to receive training.
• Low adherence to quality: No consideration is given to quality when grading crops or final food. This presents a problem because superior processed foods in other markets compete with the inferior product. This reduces the possibility of exporting.
• Low level of processing in some industries: The processing infrastructure is low in industries like grains, poultry, horticulture food, and fisheries, which account for 8%, 6%, and 2% of the total. These industries also exhibit low-capacity utilisation and seasonality in their operations.

Increasing the farmer’s revenue by processing food:

• Employment: It has the potential to generate employment. Seasonal employment and disguised unemployment are already issues facing the agriculture industry. The food processing sector is expected to generate over 10 lakh new jobs.
• Developing skilled labor: It would result in the on-the-job training of thousands of Indian workers, supporting the development of a thriving labor market for the industry.
• Profit for farmers: It can give farmers access to a different, lucrative market, which could help them double their income. It results in less waste and improved value-added use of agricultural products.
• Formation of Supply Chains: A stable supply chain is anticipated due to the consistent demand for both processed and raw materials.
• Private investment: In India, there is very little private investment in agriculture. However, there are opportunities for private investment in the food processing sector. Large-scale production would lead to economies of scale, which would be advantageous over time.

Conclusion:

Food processing offers a chance to effectively use surplus production, guaranteeing food and nutritional security and assisting farmers. India, a nation dominated by agriculture, needs to take advantage of its potential in the food processing sector.

Article: 21^st September, 2024

Topic: White Revolution 2.0

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Economy

Source: PIB

Context

Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home and Cooperation, unveiled the “White Revolution 2.0” standard operating procedure.

About

• The government has also released an action plan aimed at creating and bolstering two lakh new cooperative societies for primary agriculture, dairy, and fisheries.
• The four main goals of the White Revolution 2.0 are to increase milk production locally, empower women farmers, fortify the dairy industry, and increase dairy exports.
• Over the following five years, White Revolution 2.0 seeks to increase milk procurement by dairy cooperative societies by fifty percent.
• By the end of the fifth year, the dairy cooperatives will have acquired one thousand lakh litres of milk per day, greatly improving the lives of farmers in rural areas.
• The plan calls for establishing and bolstering 100,000 district cooperative societies, both new and old, with multi-purpose PACS, which will be linked to milk routes with necessary infrastructure.

White Revolution

• Operation Flood, popularly known as the White Revolution in India, was a major dairy development program designed to increase milk production and solve the nation’s problems with milk scarcity.
• The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), led by Dr. Verghese Kurien—often referred to as the “Father of the White Revolution”—launched it in 1970.
  
  

Important aspects and successes of the White Revolution:

• Cooperative Model: It encouraged farmers to establish dairy cooperatives by introducing the cooperative model to the dairy sector.
• Amul: The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sold its goods under the Amul brand, was the most notable result of the White Revolution.
• Increased Milk Production: By raising higher-quality cattle, the program significantly increased milk production all around the nation.
• Infrastructure Development: To support the expanding dairy industry, infrastructure including cold storage facilities, milk processing plants, and transportation networks were built.
• Economic Impact: It increased dairy farmers’ incomes, which aided in the general economic growth of rural communities.
• Replication in Other States: Operation Flood’s success in Gujarat encouraged its replication in other states, thereby extending the White Revolution’s influence and scope throughout India.
  
  

India’s Dairy Industry

• Production: In 2021–2022, India accounted for 24% of the world’s milk production, making it the world’s largest producer.
• Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh are the top 5 states that produce milk. Collectively, they account for 53.11% of the nation’s milk production.

• Value-Added Products: India’s dairy industry has expanded beyond just producing liquid milk to include a range of value-added goods like ice cream, butter, ghee, cheese, and yogurt.
• Economy: The sector directly supports over 8 crore farmers and makes up 5% of the country’s total economic output.
• The industry is a major source of jobs, particularly for women, and it is also a driving force behind women’s empowerment.
  
  

India’s Dairy Sector’s Challenges

• Low Productivity: An animal’s quality has a major impact on how productive its milk is, and consequently how much is produced overall.
• Provision of animal health and breeding services: Problems like illnesses, improper breeding methods, and insufficient healthcare facilities affect the overall health and quality of livestock.
• Provision of animal health and breeding services: The general health and caliber of livestock are impacted by problems like illnesses, improper breeding methods, and a shortage of medical facilities.
• Lack of regulations to ensure quality is the reason for the scarcity of fodder resources. The market is filled with a variety of poor-quality feeds in the lack of a cogent policy.
• Infrastructure Restrictions: Milk and dairy products spoil due to inadequate infrastructure, such as a weak cold chain, especially in areas with erratic power supplies.
• Adoption of Technology: Farmers’ ignorance, insufficient education, and lack of training prevent them from implementing cutting-edge techniques like artificial insemination, effective feeding techniques, and disease control.

Governmental Programs to Advance the Dairy Industry

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission: The organization’s mission is to preserve and advance native cattle breeds. It was founded in 2014.
  – Goal: To increase native cattle’s productivity and genetic advancement.

• The National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) was established in 2014 with the goal of enhancing the infrastructure needed to produce premium milk and to purchase, process, and sell milk and milk products through the State Cooperative Dairy Federation.

• The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries is implementing the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) in an effort to increase the number of opportunities for self-employment in the dairy sector.
  – It offers people financial support to launch small- to medium-sized dairy businesses.
• The initiative is being run by the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development.
• The NADCP, or National Animal Disease Control Program: This innovative program, which was introduced in 2019, aims to eradicate foot and mouth disease and brucellosis by immunizing all cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs.

• The NLM, or National Livestock Mission: The Ministry of Agriculture established the NLM with the goal of guaranteeing the livestock industry’s sustainable growth, which includes dairy farming.
• Its main objectives are to raise livestock productivity, enhance their health, and support feed and fodder supplies.
  
  

Way Forward

• Accelerated vaccination campaigns to combat circumstances such as Lumpy skin disease mortality.
• Strong and efficient value chain to withstand disruptions in the supply chain and sustain the demand for milk and milk products.
• Coordinated strategy implementation can lower milk production costs in India while enhancing the standard of living for dairy farmers and guaranteeing a healthy and sustainable dairy sector.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Mains Model Questions

Q. Regreening the green revolution requires applying the lessons discovered from the triumph of the white revolution. Discuss.

Introduction:

The world’s largest dairy development program originated with the White Revolution, also known as Operation Flood. Operation Flood helped double the amount of milk available per person in India within 30 years, making dairy farming the country’s largest self-sustaining rural employment source.
The Amul or cooperative model is responsible for the White Revolution’s success. Farmers were able to take charge of their own development and market by having direct control over the resources they produce thanks to the Amul Model.

Body:

Problems with the Green Revolution

• Mono-Cropping: The main focus of the Green Revolution is on food grains, such as maize, wheat, rice, jowar, and bajra. But the crops that have profited the most are rice and wheat.
• Regional Disparities: The technology of the Green Revolution has led to an increase in economic development gaps between and within regions.
• The northern regions that have benefited the most are Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh; the southern regions are Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• Benefiting Large Farmers: Large farmers have benefited from it because they can afford to buy better seeds, fertilizers, farm implements, and irrigation water on a regular basis for their crops.
• Disguised unemployment: The Green Revolution’s farm mechanization has led to a large-scale unemployment problem among rural agricultural labourers.
• Environmental degradation: As a result of the Green Revolution, the planet’s natural environment has deteriorated due to the use of contemporary technology and management techniques in the pursuit of economic growth.

Lessons from the White Revolution

• The Local Systems Method: The “local systems” solutions used in the White Revolution can be used in place of “global (or national) scale” solutions.
• Cooperative Farming: Better economic policies and management techniques to promote inclusion and enhance environmental sustainability will come from the cooperative management principles of “natural farming.”
• Encouraging Food Processing Industries: Due to its larger processing-to-production share, milk is the least volatile commodity.
• The foundation of the AMUL business model is the large-scale purchase of milk from farmers’ cooperatives, followed by processing, skimmed milk powder storage of excess milk for use in the lean season, and distribution of milk through a well-organized retail network.
• Requirements for Market Reforms: The triumph of Operation Flood indicates the necessity for market modifications in APMC, including modernizing the current APMC mandis contract farming infrastructure, among other things.

Conclusion:

The democratic economic governance of the White Revolution is the key to its success. which states that business must be owned, operated, and controlled by the people.
It is crucial in this situation to apply the lessons from the White Revolution to regreen the green revolution.

Article: 21^st September, 2024

Topic: Remunerative Income to farmers for Agro Residue

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Environment

Source: News on AIR

Context

The Pradhan Mantri Jaiv Indhan Vatavaran Anukool Fasal Awashesh Nivaran (PM-JI-VAN) Yojana has been approved by the government with modifications.

About

• The implementation timeline is extended by five years, or until 2028–2029, under the revised scheme.
• Its current scope encompasses advanced biofuels made from lignocellulosic feedstocks, such as algae, industrial waste, synthesis (syn) gas, and residues from forestry and agriculture.

• Project proposals with new technologies and innovations in the sector would now be given preference in order to promote multiple technologies and multiple feedstocks.
• Significance: The program attempts to mitigate environmental pollution and give farmers a fair income for their agricultural residue.
• The program promotes local job growth and India’s energy independence and security.
• It encourages the Made in India Mission and advances the development of cutting-edge biofuel technologies.
• It contributes to India’s ambitious goal of having net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070.

About the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN scheme:

• The “Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana” was announced by the government in 2019.
• Its goal was to finance integrated bio-ethanol projects that would establish nation-wide Second Generation (2G) ethanol facilities through the use of lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstocks.
  
  

What are Biofuels?

• Biofuels are liquid fuels that are directly made from biomass.
• Today’s most widely used biofuels are biodiesel and ethanol, both of which represent the first generation of biofuel technology.
• Ethanol: Known as “biomass,” ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is a renewable fuel that can be produced from a variety of plant materials.
• Biodiesel: It is a liquid fuel that burns cleaner than diesel fuel made from petroleum and is made from renewable resources like fresh and spent vegetable and animal fats.
• It is made by mixing alcohol with recycled cooking grease, vegetable oil, or animal fat. It is nontoxic and biodegradable.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Mains Model Questions

Q. What kinds of biofuels are there? What is the National Biofuel Policy’s significance?

Introduction:

A biofuel is any hydrocarbon fuel that is made quickly—in a matter of days, weeks, or even months—from organic matter, which is living or once-living material.

Body:

Biofuels can exist in the form of solid, liquid, or gas.

• Solid: Manure, wood, and dried plant matter
• Liquid: Bioethanol and biodiesel
• Gaseous: Biogas

For transportation, stationary, portable, and other uses, these can be used in place of or in addition to gasoline, diesel, and other fossil fuels. They can also be used to produce electricity and heat.

Types of Biofuels

• First generation biofuels: These are produced using conventional technology from food sources like sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats.
  – Typical first-generation biofuels consist of vegetable oil, bioethers, bioalcohols, biodiesel, and biogas.
• Second generation Biofuels:
  – They are made from waste materials such as fruit peels and skins, wood chips, stems, husks, and other non-food crops or parts of food crops that are not edible.
  – These fuels are produced through biochemical conversion processes or thermochemical reactions.
• Third generation Biofuels:
• Algae and other microorganisms produce these. For instance, butanol
• Algae and other microorganisms can be cultivated on land and in water unfit for human consumption, relieving pressure on already scarce water supplies.
• One drawback is that the fertilizers used to grow these crops have an adverse effect on the environment pollution.
• Fourth generation Biofuels:
  – Crops that have been genetically modified to absorb large amounts of carbon are cultivated and harvested as biomass in order to produce these fuels.
  – Second generation techniques are then used to turn the crops into fuel.
  – Carbon is captured and the fuel is pre-combusted. Subsequently, the carbon is geo-sequestered, which means it is kept in unmineable coal seams or exhausted oil or gas fields.
  
  

National Biofuels Policy, 2018

• To enable the extension of suitable financial and fiscal incentives under each category, the Policy categorizes biofuels as “Advanced Biofuels” which include Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG, and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, and “Basic Biofuels” which include First Generation (1G) bioethanol & biodiesel.

Importance of the National Biofuels Policy, 2018

• Availability: Biofuels are renewable because they come from biomass. The biofuels policy will significantly increase the production of these fuels.
• Source text: In contrast to oil, which is a finite resource derived from particular materials, biofuels can be produced using a variety of materials, such as crop waste, manure, and other byproducts.
• Pollution of the environment: Although biofuels release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than fossil fuels, the fertilizers used to grow them do. Additionally, by turning waste into fuel, biofuels can aid in the management of municipal solid waste.
• Security: Because biofuels can be produced locally, there is less reliance on imported energy for the country. Countries can lessen their reliance on foreign fuel sources.
• Countries can safeguard the integrity of their energy resources and keep them safe from outside influences by lowering their reliance on foreign fuel sources.
  
  

The Way Ahead

• Reducing the cost of crude imports can be achieved by encouraging the use of biofuels in transportation in nations like India.
• As new cash crops, biofuels can aid in the development of agriculture and rural areas.
• In order to produce sustainable biofuels, it is important to make use of the wastelands and municipal waste that cities generate.

Biofuel solutions that are properly planned and executed can produce both energy and food.