Russia-India sign bilateral atomic energy agreement
Q. India and which other country on 13th Oct 2016 signed a bilateral agreement for cooperation in the development of a network of integrated infrastructure irradiation centres?- Published on 17 Oct 16a. US
b. UK
c. China
d. Russia
ANSWER: Russia
Russia and India on 13th Oct 2016 signed a bilateral agreement for cooperation in the development of a network of integrated infrastructure irradiation centres.
- The agreement was signed between Indian Agricultural Association, Hindustan Agro Co-Op Limited and United Innovation Corporation, a subsidiary of ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia
- It was signed by Bharat Dhokane Pandurang, Chairman of HACL and Denis Cherednichenko CEO of UIC
- This will be implemented through a Joint Venture and the aim is to set up 25 integrated irradiation centres
- In the 1st phase, 7 centres will be set up in Maharashtra commencing with the current centre in Rahuri in Ahmednagar district
- The 7 centres are likely to be established in Solapur, Sindhudurg, Satar, JNPT, Jalana, Nagpur and Pune in the first phase
- UIC will be a technology partner and set up irradiation centres in India
- In India, as per estimates post harvest losses in food and food grains is close to 40-50 percent on account of insect infestation, microbial contamination and lack of shelf life
- In irradiation, food products are subject to a low dosage of radiation to treatment them for germs and insects, raising longevity and shelf life.
- Use of irradiation will make it possible to reduce loss of food products in India
- Radiation treatment is carried out in a dosage recommended by International Atomic Energy Agency
- It neither reduces nutritional value of food nor spoils taste or presentation
