West Asian Crisis Disrupts India’s Coffee Exports

Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture

Context

The ongoing crisis in West Asia has severely disrupted Indian coffee exports, stalling approximately 15–20% of shipments near the Persian Gulf, impacting key markets in West Asia and Europe.

Coffee Exports of India

India ranks as the fifth-largest exporter of coffee.
The top 5 export destinations for Indian coffee are Italy (18.09percent), Germany (11.01percent), Belgium (7.47percent), the Russian Federation (5.28percent), and the United Arab Emirates (5.09percent).

Geographical Condition for Coffee production

Climate: Coffee grows well in tropical climates. It requires a warm, humid climate with mild winters. Shade is essential for healthy growth, and coffee is often grown under tree cover.
Soil: Requires well-drained, fertile soils, rich in humus and organic matter.
Soil should be slightly acidic, with a pH of 6.0–6.5.
Temperature: Ideal annual temperature ranges between 15°C and 28°C.
Frost is harmful to coffee plants, and extreme hot or dry conditions also reduce yield.
Precipitation: Coffee thrives in hilly regions with elevations of 600–1,600 metres above sea level.
Sloping terrain ensures proper drainage and prevents waterlogging.
Major Coffee producing states are Karnataka (largest producer, contributes nearly 70% of India’s coffee), Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Other emerging states are: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and the North-Eastern region (mainly Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Meghalaya).

Indian coffees with GI tags

Coorg Arabica coffee: Grown in Kodagu district, Karnataka.
Wayanad robusta coffee: Cultivated in Wayanad district, Kerala.
Chikmagalur Arabica coffee: Produced in Chikmagalur district, Karnataka.
Bababudangiri Arabica coffee: Grown in Chikmagalur, known for hints of chocolate.
Monsooned Malabar robusta coffee: A distinctive speciality from Kerala, renowned for its unique taste.
Araku coffee: cultivated in the hilly terrains of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh and the Odisha region, at elevations of 900-1100 meters above sea level.

Coffee Board of India

It was established under the Coffee Act VII of 1942.
It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Headquarters: Bengaluru.

Artemis 2 Mission

Syllabus: GS3/ Space

Context

NASA is going to launch the Artemis II mission.

About Artemis II

Artemis II is part of NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon in a more sustained and strategic manner.
The mission will send four astronauts on a journey around the Moon.
Artemis II is part of a broader effort to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon.
The mission treats the Moon not just as a destination, but as a platform for deeper space exploration.

Difference between Artemis and Apollo Missions

Apollo Programme Artemis Programme

– The Apollo programme landed 12 humans on the Moon. These landings took place between 1969 and 1972.

– The astronauts landed two at a time.

– Apollo missions were historic achievements, but they were designed primarily for short-duration visits and demonstration of technological capability. – The Artemis programme aims not only to land humans on the Moon, but also to:

develop the capability for repeated missions,
support long-term astronaut presence,
and create infrastructure needed for future deep-space missions.

– Artemis is a stepping stone toward more ambitious human exploration beyond the Moon.

Source: TH

PM-KUSUM 2.0

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

In News

The government is considering adding a battery energy storage component under the revamped PM-KUSUM 2.0 scheme.

About PM-KUSUM

PM-KUSUM stands for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan.
The current PM-KUSUM scheme, launched in 2019, is set to expire in March 2026. The revamped version is likely to be called PM-KUSUM 2.0.
The proposal has gained importance because the existing scheme focuses on solarisation of agricultural pumps but does not include battery storage.
The scheme seeks to reduce farmers’ dependence on diesel and grid electricity.
It also supports India’s broader renewable energy transition.
The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
The scheme follows a shared funding model like 30 percent subsidy by Union government & state government each and 40 % contribution by the farmers.

Role of Battery Storage

Battery storage can store surplus solar power generated during peak hours.
It can then supply this stored power when demand remains high, but solar generation falls.
Therefore, battery storage is being considered as a way to improve energy management, power reliability and grid stability.
Source: TH

Iranian Parliament Mulls Possible Exit from Nuclear Treaty

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

As per the Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Iran’s Parliament is reviewing a possible exit from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

About

The proposed legislation, according to lawmakers, would:
Withdraw Iran from the NPT;
Remove legal commitments tied to the 2015 nuclear deal;
Support cooperation with other countries on civilian nuclear technology.
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
Iran is a signatory to the NPT, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons while allowing peaceful nuclear activity under monitoring.
It was signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970, the NPT aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament.
It divides the world into nuclear-weapon states (NWS), recognized as possessing nuclear weapons at the time of the treaty’s signing, and non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS), which agree not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons.
The treaty also requires NWS to pursue disarmament negotiations in good faith.
India, Israel, North Korea and Pakistan have not signed the NPT.
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) 2015
Participants:
Iran
P5+1: Five permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, UK, U.S.) plus Germany.
EU: Participated in negotiations.
Iran’s Commitments
Nuclear Restrictions: Iran agreed not to produce highly enriched uranium or plutonium for nuclear weapons and to ensure its nuclear facilities focus on civilian purposes.
Centrifuge Limits: Iran limited the number, type, and level of its centrifuges, and reduced its stockpile of enriched uranium.
Uranium enriched to 5% is for nuclear power; 20% for research or medical use; 90% for weapons.
Monitoring and Verification: Iran agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) unfettered access to nuclear facilities, including undeclared sites.
What Other Signatories Agreed To:
Sanctions Relief: The EU, UN, and U.S. agreed to lift nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, but U.S. sanctions on ballistic missiles, terrorism support, and human rights remained.
The U.S. lifted sanctions on oil exports but kept restrictions on financial transactions.
UN arms and missile bans on Iran were lifted after five years, provided the IAEA confirmed Iran’s nuclear activities remained civilian.
Violation of the Deal: If any signatory suspects Iran is violating the deal, the UN Security Council can vote on whether to continue sanctions relief.
This “snapback” mechanism remains in effect for ten years, after which the UN sanctions are set to be permanently removed.
Trump’s Withdrawal: In 2018, President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal, leading Iran to resume nuclear activities.
Iran’s Nuclear Activity: In 2023, Iran enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, raising international concerns.
Key provisions of the JCPOA began to expire by late 2023.

Way Ahead

Lawmakers in Iran have in the past raised the idea of leaving the treaty in response to external pressure.
The current conflict has brought the issue back to the centre of political discussion.
There has been no official confirmation yet that Iran will exit the treaty, and the outcome will depend on internal approvals and the course of the conflict.
Source: TH

West Asian Crisis Disrupts India’s Coffee Exports | Artemis 2 Mission | PM-KUSUM 2.0 | Iranian Parliament Mulls Possible Exit from Nuclear Treaty