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International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste - UPSC Agriculture Allied Sector
What is International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste in UPSC Agriculture Allied Sector?
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is a key topic under Agriculture Allied Sector for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) is observed on September 29th.. Around 30% of global food production is lost or wasted, according to a 2023 FAO report.. Food loss occurs mainly in supply chains due to poor infrastructure and technology.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste important for UPSC exam?
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is a Medium-level topic in UPSC Agriculture Allied Sector. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste for UPSC?
To prepare International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for Agriculture Allied Sector. (5) Write practice answers linking International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste for UPSC
- The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) is observed on September 29th.
- Around 30% of global food production is lost or wasted, according to a 2023 FAO report.
- Food loss occurs mainly in supply chains due to poor infrastructure and technology.
- Food waste happens at retail and consumer levels due to spoilage, oversupply, or habits.
- Food wastage is an umbrella term encompassing both food loss and food waste.
- The UN General Assembly designated IDAFLW in 2019.
- Reducing food loss and waste is crucial for food security, environmental protection, and economic stability.
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
Medium⏱️ 8 min read
agriculture allied sector
📖 Introduction
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) Overview
The world observes the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) annually on September 29th. This day highlights the critical implications of food loss and waste for global food security and environmental sustainability.
Key Focus: Raising awareness and promoting global efforts to reduce food loss and waste across the entire food supply chain.
Global Impact of Food Loss and Waste
A significant portion of global food production is either lost or wasted. This has severe consequences for feeding the hungry and for the planet.
FAO 2023 Report: Approximately 30% of global food production is lost or wasted. This amount of food could potentially feed those suffering from hunger worldwide.
Understanding Food Loss
Food loss refers to a decrease in the mass (dry matter) or nutritional value (quality) of food intended for human consumption. This typically occurs before the food reaches the retail stage.
Causes of Food Loss:
- Inefficiencies in food supply chains
- Poor infrastructure and inadequate logistics
- Lack of appropriate technology
- Insufficient skills and management practices
- Impacts of natural disasters
Understanding Food Waste
Food waste specifically refers to food that is suitable for human consumption but is discarded. This usually happens at the retail or consumer level.
Causes of Food Waste:
- Spoilage of food items
- Exceeding the expiry date
- Market oversupply leading to discarding of unsold produce
- Individual consumer shopping and eating habits (e.g., buying too much, not finishing meals)
Distinguishing Food Wastage
The term Food Wastage acts as an umbrella term. It encompasses both food loss and food waste.
Definition: Food Wastage refers to any food lost by deterioration or waste, thereby including both pre-retail losses and post-retail discards.
Designation of IDAFLW
The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) was officially designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2019. This designation underscores the international community's commitment to addressing this global challenge.
UPSC Insight: Understanding the distinctions between food loss, food waste, and food wastage is crucial for Mains answers, especially in GS-III (Agriculture, Economy, Environment). Be prepared to explain causes and solutions for each.
💡 Key Takeaways
- •The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) is observed on September 29th.
- •Around 30% of global food production is lost or wasted, according to a 2023 FAO report.
- •Food loss occurs mainly in supply chains due to poor infrastructure and technology.
- •Food waste happens at retail and consumer levels due to spoilage, oversupply, or habits.
- •Food wastage is an umbrella term encompassing both food loss and food waste.
- •The UN General Assembly designated IDAFLW in 2019.
- •Reducing food loss and waste is crucial for food security, environmental protection, and economic stability.
🧠 Memory Techniques
98% Verified Content
📚 Reference Sources
•United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions (A/RES/74/209)
•Drishti IAS (as provided in source material)