PIB Summary- 2nd December, 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

India-Malaysia Joint Military Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI 2024

Event

• 4th edition of Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI.
• Venue: Bentong Camp, Pahang district, Malaysia.
• Duration: 2nd to 15th December 2024.

Participants

• India: 78 personnel from a Battalion of MAHAR Regiment.
• Malaysia: 123 personnel from the Royal Malaysian Regiment.

Frequency

• Annual exercise conducted alternately in India and Malaysia.
• Previous Edition: Nov 2023, Umroi Cantonment, Meghalaya, India.

Objective

• Enhance joint military capability for counter-insurgency operations in jungle terrain.
• Conduct operations under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.

Phases of Exercise

• Phase 1: Cross-training with lectures, demonstrations, and jungle terrain drills.
• Phase 2: Simulated exercise focusing on:
• Anti-MT Ambush
• Harbour Occupation
• Reconnaissance Patrols
• Ambush tactics
• Attacks on terrorist-occupied areas.

Key Benefits

• Sharing of best practices in tactics and procedures for joint operations.
• Development of interoperability, camaraderie, and bonhomie between armies.
• Enhanced defence cooperation and strengthened bilateral relations.
• Strategic Importance: Reinforces ties between India and Malaysia, showcasing strong defence collaboration.

Export of Organic Products

Export Data (Last 5 Years and Current Year)

• 2019-20: 638,998.42 MT; USD 689.10 million.
• 2020-21: 888,179.68 MT; USD 1,040.95 million.
• 2021-22: 460,320.40 MT; USD 771.96 million.
• 2022-23: 312,800.51 MT; USD 708.33 million.
• 2023-24: 261,029.00 MT; USD 494.80 million.
• 2024-25 (till 25th Nov 2024): 263,050.11 MT; USD 447.73 million.

Support for Organic Product Exporters:

• No specific funds allocated by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries for organic product production.
• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority):
• Provides financial assistance to member exporters for:
  • Export infrastructure development.
  • Quality development.
  • Market development.

National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP):

• Implemented by APEDA.
• Covers accreditation of certification bodies, organic production standards, promotion of organic farming, and marketing.
• Certified entities: Producers, processors, and traders.

Organic Certified Processing Units (State-wise):

• Total Units: 1016.
• Top States: Karnataka: 127 units ,Gujarat: 122 units and Maharashtra: 113 units.
• Lowest States:
  • Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Daman & Diu, Ladakh: 2 units each.
• Chandigarh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Pondicherry, Tripura: 1 unit each.

Key Highlights:

• Decline in organic exports in recent years, both in quantity and value.
• NPOP facilitates certification, ensuring adherence to organic standards and global competitiveness.
• Strategic Importance: Promotes sustainable agriculture and enhances India’s reputation as an exporter of quality organic products.