21st October 2023 Current Affairs for UPSC and STATE PSC Exams

21st October 2023 Current Affair: These current affairs updates for October 21st, 2023, provide valuable information to aid your preparation for UPSC Current Affairs 2023 and State PSC exams. The news headlines covered in the current affairs for October 21st, 2023, include The Role of Rubber Plantations in the Southeast Asian Deforestation Crisis,  Empowering Indian Agriculture Through Farmer Producers’ Organizations (FPOs), AI Chatbots in Healthcare: Balancing Progress and Ethical Concerns, Sustainability in Agrifood Systems: Key to Resilient and Secure Futures

 

The Role of Rubber Plantations in the Southeast Asian Deforestation Crisis

• Rubber production in Southeast Asia’s environmental impact is worse than previously thought.
• Over 4 million hectares of forest lost to rubber plantations since 1993, mainly in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
• Serious environmental implications include habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
• Urgent need for sustainable solutions and responsible sourcing to address the issue.

Empowering Indian Agriculture Through Farmer Producers’ Organizations (FPOs)

• Farmer Producers’ Organizations (FPOs) are a key part of India’s strategy to enhance farmers’ income and promote sustainable agriculture.
• FPOs consist of a collective of farmers in a specific geographic area, registered as companies or cooperatives.
• They offer various benefits, including economies of scale in input management, better access to technology and markets, and quality assurance.
• FPOs play a crucial role in cluster-based farming and empowering farmers through collective action.

AI Chatbots in Healthcare: Balancing Progress and Ethical Concerns

• AI chatbots have gained prominence in the healthcare industry for tasks like summarizing medical records and improving patient communication.
• A recent Stanford School of Medicine study raises concerns about AI chatbots perpetuating racist and debunked medical information.
• The study highlights the importance of addressing biases in AI chatbots, especially in the context of healthcare.
• AI developers and healthcare professionals are working to reduce biases and ensure the ethical use of chatbots in healthcare.

Sustainability in Agrifood Systems: Key to Resilient and Secure Futures

• The 16th Agricultural Science Congress in Kochi, India, is a significant event where experts and stakeholders discuss critical agricultural and sustainability issues.
• Sustainable agri-food systems are essential to meet the growing global demand for food while addressing environmental degradation and climate change challenges.
• Challenges in adopting sustainable practices include addressing food waste, mitigating environmental impacts, efficiently using resources, and promoting biodiversity-friendly farming.
• India has initiated various programs and funds to promote sustainable agri-food systems and address issues like post-harvest losses and climate-resilient agriculture.