Daily Current Affairs (MCQ) | Date 10.02.22

Q1. An Initial Public Offering (IPO) and Red Herring are linked to

a. Start ups
b. Stock market
c. Disinvestment of public sector enterprises
d. Foriegn Direct Investment

Answer : b

Why is the Question ?

A red herring is a preliminary prospectus filed by a company with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), usually in connection with the company's initial public offering (IPO). A red herring prospectus contains most of the information pertaining to the company's operations and prospects but does not include key details of the security issue, such as its price and the number of shares offered.

Q2. Parvatmala, National Ropeways Development Programme includes development of ropeways in

1. Tourist Areas
2. Difficult hilly areas
3. Congested urban areas

Select the correct answer using the codes given below

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Parvatmala: National Ropeways Development Programme 26. As a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative to conventional roads in difficult hilly areas, National Ropeways Development Programme will be taken up on PPP mode. The aim is to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides promoting tourism. This may also cover congested urban areas, where conventional mass transit systems are not feasible. Contracts for 8 ropeway projects for a length of 60 km will be awarded in 2022- 23.

Q3. According to the budget 2022-2023, chemical-free Natural Farming will be promoted throughout the country, with a focus on farmers’ lands in 5-km wide corridors along river Ganga, at the first stage. Which of the following would benefits of this move

1. Reduction in water pollution
2. Maintenance of agro-biodiversity
3. Increased usage of farm manure and city compost

Select the correct answer using the codes given below 

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Advantages of organic farming
Minimises the external cost of farming. The use of artificial pesticides and fertilisers can have side effects to the local environment. For example, there are concerns about a decline in the bee population, due to the increased use of toxic pesticides.
Bees are vital to the well-being of the planet’s ecosystem. Organic farming helps bees and insects by not using pesticides and providing more pollen from land which isn’t kept as monoculture. The neurotoxins currently used can stay in the environment for 1,000 days and are proving very damaging to the insect population.
Efficient use of resources. A principle of organic farming is to recycle resources. Rather than importing chemical fertilisers from abroad, organic farming seeks to improve the soil through crop rotation, the use of animal manure, compost and natural byproducts.
Soil and the environment is a public good. There is concern that conventional farming methods are steadily eroding the quality of soil. The soil is never rotated or given a chance to re-incorporate organic matter. As a result, farmers become more reliant on fertilisers and ever-heavier mechanical rotation to provide nutrition. A lack of organic matter also makes the soil more prone to drought. Conventional farming ignores the long-term impact on soil quality and is storing problems for future generations. Organic farming provides a long-term solution to soil
management. It is estimated a third of the world’s global soil is now degraded.

Healthier food. Organic food grown in richer, more organic soils has higher levels of micronutrients. Also, there is a link between some chemicals and increased cancer risk for humans. Long-term exposure to chemicals, such as ‘Roundup weedkiller’ show a link to increased cancer risk. Organic veg reduces the long-term risk of repeated exposure to these chemicals. (WHO – glyphosate probably cancerous to humans)
Healthier animals. In conventional farming, animals are often kept in close proximity and fed antibiotics as a matter of course. This mass-use of antibiotics is contributing to increased resistance. In organic farming, antibiotics are only allowed if animals are sick.
Potential profits. Currently, the demand for organic food is growing faster than supply. Countries like the UK and US have to import organic food from abroad. (often developing economies) Some organic methods are more costly (labour-intensive weeding) but also some costs are saved (cost of chemicals) 

Q4. Which of the following are oilseeds?

1. Mustard
2. Soybean
3. Groundnut
4. Sunflower

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a. 1 and 4 only

b. 2, 3 and 4 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer : b

Why is the Question ?

To reduce our dependence on import of oilseeds, a rationalised and comprehensive scheme to increase domestic production of oilseeds will be implemented.
The diverse agro-ecological conditions in the country are favourable for growing 9 annual oilseed crops, which include 7 edible oilseeds (groundnut, rapeseed & mustard, soybean, sunflower, sesame, safflower and niger) and two non-edible oilseeds (castor and linseed).

Q5. Consider the following statements

1. Earlier millets were known as coarse cereals now they have been renamed as Nutri cereals
2. 2023 has been announced as the International Year of Millets
3. Millets contain anti-diabetic properties

Select the correct answer using the codes given below

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

2023 has been announced as the International Year of Millets. Support will be provided for post-harvest value addition, enhancing domestic consumption, and for branding millet products nationally and internationally.
The government has renamed jowar, bajra, ragi and other millets as “Nutri Cereals”, dispensing with the nomenclature “coarse cereals' '. The move is aimed at removing a lingering perception that these grains are inferior to rice and wheat, even as their health benefits are larger. In a notification earlier this month, the agriculture ministry said, “the central government hereby declares millets comprising Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi/Mandua), Minor Millets — Foxtail Millet (Kangani/Kakun), Proso Millet (Cheena), Kodo Millet (Kodo), Barnyard Millet (Sawa/Sanwa/ Jhangora), Little Millet (Kutki) and two Pseudo Millets (Black-wheat (Kuttu) and Amaranthus (Chaulai) which have high nutritive value as “Nutri Cereals” for production, consumption and trade point of view.``
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, compared to rice Foxtail millet has 81% more protein, Little millet has 840% higher fat, 350% higher fibre and 1,229% higher quantity of iron. There has been demand to declare these crops as Nutri Cereals to boost its demand and allow farmers to get higher prices. Even noted agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan had suggested the name change in 2006.
Millets hold great potential in contributing substantially to food and nutritional security of the country and thus they are not only a powerhouse of nutrients, but also are climate resilient crops and possess unique nutritional characteristics, the government said.

It highlighted that recent research findings show millets contain anti-diabetic properties and millet-based food have low GI and reduces the postprandial blood glucose level and glycosylated haemoglobin. To popularise the consumption of these nutritious cereals, the government has already decided to include millets in the Public Distribution System (PDS) with the objective of improving nutritional security of the country.