The Food Security Crisis Looms over the World, what next?
Job Board + Food Security + New Scheme = New Schools
Hello, hope you are having a great Sunday. This week’s newsletter covers the food security crisis and its impact on the countries and the new scheme for upgrading the schools in India.
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Yet again, the food security crisis looms across the world
Global food security is being impacted by geopolitical and climatic factors. Additionally, according to Verisk Maplecroft (a global risk and strategic consulting firm), the unreasonable temperature rise may endanger 70% of the world's food output by 2045.
What are the reasons for the escalation of food insecurity all around the world?
#1 The COVID-19 pandemic & Russia and Ukraine war
Worldwide supply chain disruptions have been caused by these two major events. Global food security is currently at high risk due to conflict in one of the world's six breadbasket regions (Ukraine and Russia) and the Black Sea, a vital centre for the supply and transit of wheat and fertiliser.
#2 Changing Weather Patterns:
A report on the anticipated outcomes of climate change was released in 2022 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Heatwaves, droughts, and floods are the extreme weather occurrences that the world is currently coping with. Food security will also be at risk from this, and it will get worse in places that are least able to adapt and are vulnerable to climate change.
Cases in point
#1 India
According to Verisk Maplecroft, India is at an extremely high risk of heat stress under the current climate conditions. Global food security is already being impacted by this exposure as in May 2022 India banned its export of wheat due to the extreme heatwaves because it had destroyed the crops. Now due to the floods across various states, India is restricting its export of rice in September.
#2 Africa
The three main factors contributing to food crises in Africa are desertification, water scarcity, and a lack of rain. The agricultural sector supports 80% of Niger's population. With a population increase of three decades, from eight million to 22 million, Niger is now the region with the worst food security. More than 4.4 million people in Niger require immediate food assistance
What is the way forward?
The following actions should be implemented to combat food insecurity around the world:
#1 The international community needs to substantially scale up financing of lower-income countries’ food systems, including measures that target farming, nutrition, social protection, water, and irrigation.
#2 Green investment projects need to be accompanied by policies to lessen the economic, health, and social consequences of climate change—many of which are borne disproportionately by vulnerable populations in developing economies.
(Sources: Verisk Maplecroft, Down To Earth, Brookings.Edu, Observer Research Foundation)
Will the new scheme for schools will bring a shift in the Indian Education System?
Government of India, announced the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-Shri) scheme on the occasion of Teachers' Day. Under this scheme, 14,500 government schools across the country will be upgraded under the National Education Policy, 2022. A budget of Rs 27,360 crore has been allocated for this scheme.
What is the scheme about?
Under the PM SHRI scheme, any existing government school, whether under the central, state or municipal governments, including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodya Vidyalayas across India’s states and Union Territories will be upgraded with state-of-the-art laboratories, smart classrooms, libraries, art rooms and sports equipment. Its first leg will be completed over five years, from FY 2022-23 to FY 2026-27.
The schools will be developed into “green schools” with environment-friendly infrastructure and naturally farmed nutrition gardens, water conservation and harvesting systems, and more. The curricular and extra-curricular activities will also be redesigned to reflect the key features of the NEP 2020
Key features
#1 A central scheme where the total cost will be split 60-40 between the Centre and the state/UTs.
#2 The latest technology, smart classes, sports and modern infrastructure for all existing government schools.
#3 Schools will be selected under a set of criteria that includes more than 55 parameters, including the school’s consent to implement the NEP and basic facilities like electricity, water, sewage etc.