Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction Start with an overview of India’s milk production. Mention that India is the world’s largest producer of milk, contributing 24.64% of global milk production (2021-22). Highlight the need for White Revolution 2.0, an initiative that builds on ...
Virtual water refers to the concealed water used in the production of commodities and services, which are subsequently traded or consumed. It embodies the water quantity entailed in the complete production cycle of an item, encompassing crop cultivation, manufacturing, and transportation. For examplRead more
Virtual water refers to the concealed water used in the production of commodities and services, which are subsequently traded or consumed. It embodies the water quantity entailed in the complete production cycle of an item, encompassing crop cultivation, manufacturing, and transportation. For example, the water employed in cultivating and processing coffee beans, subsequently exported and utilized in another nation.
Components of Virtual Water
- Primary Production Water: This component refers to the direct water used in the cultivation of agricultural products, such as crops and livestock. It includes rainwater and irrigation water needed to grow plants and raise animals. Ex- In India, irrigation consumes about 84 %of total available water.
- Secondary Production Water: Also known as industrial water, this component represents the water used in the manufacturing and processing of goods. It covers the water required for processing, cleaning, cooling, and other industrial processes. Ex- Industrial sector consume about 12% of total available water.
- Processing and Packaging Water: This component includes the water used in processing, packaging, and preparing products for distribution and consumption. It encompasses activities like cleaning, sorting, packaging, and labeling.
- Transportation Water: Water is used indirectly in the transportation of goods from production sites to markets. This includes the water consumed in various transportation modes such as trucks, ships, trains, and planes.
- Distribution Water: This component accounts for the water used in distributing products to retail outlets and consumers. It includes activities like warehousing, refrigeration, and retail operations.
- Consumption Water: The final component reflects the water needed to consume or use a product. For example, the water used to brew coffee, wash clothes, or cook food after purchasing goods.
Pertinence of Virtual Water in the Strategic Management of Water Resources within India’s Intricate Drainage System
- Water-Efficient Trade: By comprehending the virtual water content of exports like rice, cotton, and sugar, India can strategically shift from water-intensive crops to less demanding ones, optimizing water use. For example, Punjab and Haryana, significant rice producers, could transition some rice cultivation to less water-intensive crops such as pulses, promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Import and Export Decisions: Virtual water guides water-intensive import decisions. High virtual water content suggests imports over domestic production, relieving water stressed regions. India’s soybean oil imports from Brazil exemplify efficient water use due to virtual water awareness.
- Water Footprint of Industry: Industries carry substantial virtual water footprints from manufacturing’s water consumption. Assessment of product virtual water content empowers policymakers to promote water-efficient practices, attracting region-compatible industries. For example, Tamil Nadu’s Tirupur textile sector embraced eco-friendly dyeing, reducing water use—a testament to virtual water’s role in sustainable industry.
- Interstate Water Sharing: Virtual water analysis can aid just interstate water sharing. Surplus states can prioritize high virtual water content crops, while deficit states can opt for less water-intensive ones, promoting efficient allocation and reducing disputes. The Cauvery dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu underscores virtual water’s role in equitable allocation and crop selection.
- Urbanization and Food Demand: Virtual water content is beneficial in urban planning and agricultural policies for promoting sustainable food production amid urbanization. Urban gardening and rooftop farming of vegetables with low virtual water content can help enhance food security. Vertical farming, which involves cultivating water-efficient crops like leafy greens, showcases the role of virtual water in achieving urban sustainability.
To conclude, the paradigm of ‘Virtual Water’ offers a transformative avenue for India’s water resource management. By harnessing this concept innovatively through smart agricultural shifts, leveraging global trade dynamics, promoting water-savvy industries, fostering collaborative interstate agreements, and integrating urban farming initiatives, India can pave the path for a future where water scarcity is mitigated, ecological equilibrium is restored, and a harmonious coexistence with our intricate drainage system is realized.
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Model Answer 1. Feed and Fodder Shortages A major constraint to dairy farming in India is the shortage of quality feed and fodder. This is due to changes in land use patterns, urbanization, and the declining productivity of pasturelands. India faces a 35.6% deficit in green fodder, impacting the nutRead more
Model Answer
1. Feed and Fodder Shortages
A major constraint to dairy farming in India is the shortage of quality feed and fodder. This is due to changes in land use patterns, urbanization, and the declining productivity of pasturelands. India faces a 35.6% deficit in green fodder, impacting the nutrition of livestock.
2. Low Productivity
The productivity of dairy animals in India is low compared to global standards. The milk yield of Indian cows is only two-thirds of the world average. This is mainly due to limited access to quality feed, traditional feeding methods, and inadequate veterinary care.
3 .Poor Animal Healthcare
India’s veterinary infrastructure is underdeveloped, contributing to poor animal health. Over 3.2 million cattle and buffaloes contracted Lumpy Skin Disease in 2022-2023. Additionally, there is a shortage of 55,000 veterinarians in the country, as reported by the National Sample Survey Organization.
4. Inadequate Technological Progress
The dairy sector in India struggles to adopt modern technology due to its unorganized structure. As a result, 3% of milk, equivalent to around 5 million tonnes, gets wasted due to lack of refrigeration and power supply.
Achieving White Revolution 2.0
To boost milk production, India needs to focus on genetic improvement through new breeding technologies. Techniques like sex-sorted semen can increase the likelihood of producing female calves, thus improving productivity.
Reducing dependence on expensive compound cattle feed is essential. Farmers should be encouraged to grow protein-rich, high-yielding green fodder grasses to make livestock feeding more affordable and sustainable.
Strengthening veterinary services by increasing the number of veterinarians and setting up mobile clinics is crucial. Preventive healthcare programs should also be implemented to safeguard livestock from diseases.
Encouraging the use of automated milking machines, milk testing equipment, and data analytics for herd management can significantly improve efficiency and productivity in dairy farming.
Customised financial products are essential to help farmers purchase high-quality livestock, invest in infrastructure, and adopt modern technologies.
By addressing these challenges and implementing these measures, India can successfully embark on White Revolution 2.0, transforming its dairy sector into a more productive, efficient, and sustainable industry.
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