Daily Mains Practice Questions 14-04-2023

KEY POINTS

·        The war has left India in a difficult position. Russia is a historical partner which India has deep defence ties with and there is no easy, immediate alternative here.

·        And, Russia’s aggression is a naked violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and international laws.

·        What India has done is to try and navigate this maze of geopolitics through realpolitik  it has refused to condemn Russia, maintained defence and trade ties, as well as expressed its uneasiness with the war and called for respecting the territorial integrity of all nations.

·        India is the chair of the G-20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and will be pressed to do more to show global leadership and help end the war.

·        The conflict has hurt not only Europe but also the entire world and there is growing consensus among the countries in the Global South that the hostilities should cease at the earliest.

·        China and Brazil have sensed this urgency and have hinted at playing a bigger role in brokering peace. India should not shy away.

·        It should empathise more vocally with the victim, raise the voice and interests of the Global South, and call for upholding international laws and sovereignty of all states.

KEY POINTS

·        India seems well-positioned to become the fastest growing major economy in 2023 and beyond, with more than 6 per cent growth in 2023 and 2024, on the back of resilient domestic demand despite external headwinds.

·        Much of India’s 9.1 per cent growth for FY22 (revised estimates) could in fact be attributed to the strong performance of exports during the year.

·        Merchandise exports are expected to continue to drive much of India’s estimated GDP growth of 7 per cent during FY23.

·        The performance of India’s exports could be shadowed by deepening global energy crisis, tighter global monetary and financial conditions, continued slowdown in select major trade partners and continued uncertainty around the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

·        An ambitious target of $2 trillion by 2030, as compared to an estimated $750 billion for FY23, has been set by the government.

·        Immediate integration into global value chains, through manufacturing of quality products at scale is an imperative to seize the opportunity arising out of possible realignment of supply chains away from China.

·        These efforts would contribute towards realising the aspiration of India becoming a $5 trillion economy in the near future, which is also more integrated with the global ecosystem than ever before.

KEY POINTS

·        The farm machinery industry is characterised by both demand and supply-side challenges.

·        Farm mechanisation in India, at 40-45 per cent, remains low compared to the rest of the world; in the US it is 95 per cent, Brazil 75 per cent, and China 57 per cent.

·        Skills shortage is a problem, resulting in a low-equilibrium trap for the industry.

·        There is a lack of adequate information and awareness amongst farmers about the technology and the management of machinery.

·        On the supply side, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) suffer from a lack of skilled personnel.

·        Fabrication of agricultural tools and machinery is often done by semi-skilled workers without proper equipment.

·        State agricultural universities, ICAR and other institutes that have tractor training centres, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and industry (through their dealers) should be made responsible for training young farmers/owners.

·        The programmes of front-line demonstration of farm machinery should be strengthened. Handheld training to users of new-generation farm machinery may encourage the extension and adoption of farm power.

·        Dual vocational skilling programmes will greatly benefit industrial clusters located in tier-II and tier-III cities.

·        MSMEs should also leverage the Apprentices Policy of the Central Government. This may be a win-win situation for the youth.