16 Sep 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

Mocha, Mokha Port and Coffee in India

Why in News: Mocha derives its name from Al-Mokha (Mocha/Mokha), a historic Red Sea port in Yemen that became a major centre of the medieval coffee trade.

Where is Mokha?

• Mokha is a port city in Yemen near the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb.

• Bab-el-Mandeb is an important global trade chokepoint.

• Mokha lies in southern Yemen near Perim Island.

• The source notes that the port remains strategically important amid Yemen's conflict.

Coffee Production in India

• India is the seventh-largest coffee producer in the world and produces about 2.5% of global coffee.

• The source lists Brazil as the world's largest producer, followed by Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia and Ethiopia.

• Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu together account for over 90% of India's coffee production.

• Coffee cultivation is also expanding in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and the Northeast.

• Indian production is dominated by Robusta coffee.

GI-Tagged Indian Coffees

• Coorg Arabica Coffee.

• Wayanad Robusta Coffee.

• Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee.

• Araku Valley Arabica Coffee.

• Bababudangiris Arabica Coffee.

• Monsooned Malabar Robusta Coffee has also received GI certification.

• The source notes that Odisha's Koraput Coffee, particularly the 'Tiger Bright' brand, was featured at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Ideal Conditions for Coffee

• Coffee needs a hot and humid climate with temperatures of about 15-28°C.

• Annual rainfall requirement is about 150-250 cm.

• It is a shade-grown crop and is sensitive to frost, drought, waterlogging and temperatures above 30°C.

• It is cultivated on well-drained hill slopes at about 600-1,600 metres.

• North- and east-facing slopes are preferred to reduce exposure to the afternoon sun and the Southwest Monsoon.

• It grows best in deep, friable, well-drained loamy soils rich in humus, iron and calcium, usually derived from forest soils.

Quick Recall

• Mocha -> name linked to Al-Mokha port in Yemen.

• Mokha -> near Bab-el-Mandeb and Perim Island.

• India -> 7th-largest coffee producer in the source.

• Top Indian coffee states -> Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

• Indian coffee -> predominantly Robusta.

• Coffee climate -> 15-28°C + 150-250 cm rainfall + well-drained hill slopes.

ECONOMY & CLIMATE

2. Rising Food Inflation, El Niño and ENSO

Why in News: The source highlights concern that a possible 'Super El Niño', low rainfall and ongoing global conflicts could add to food inflation pressures in India.

What is El Niño?

• El Niño is the periodic warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.

• It weakens or reverses the normal Walker Circulation.

• It can create drought-like conditions in Australia, Central Oceania and South Asia.

• It can also bring heavy rainfall to the western coast of North and South America, including areas such as the Atacama Desert.

• The source states that El Niño usually occurs every 3-4 years and that its frequency has increased with climate change.

What is ENSO?

• ENSO is a periodic ocean-atmosphere phenomenon in the tropical Pacific.

• It involves changes in sea-surface temperature, atmospheric pressure and wind circulation.

Three Phases of ENSO

• El Niño - Warm Phase: abnormal warming of the central and eastern Pacific, with weakening or reversal of Walker Circulation.

• La Niña - Cold Phase: abnormal cooling of the central and eastern Pacific, with strengthening of Walker Circulation.

• Neutral Phase: Pacific conditions remain close to normal and the normal Walker Circulation operates.

Typical Weather Effects

• El Niño generally brings a weaker Indian monsoon, higher drought risk in Australia and South Asia, and heavier rainfall along western South America.

• La Niña generally brings a stronger Indian monsoon, wetter conditions in Australia and South Asia, and drier conditions along western South America.

• The source notes that ENSO cycles do not follow a definite pattern, though observations can help identify recurring tendencies.

What is Food Inflation?

• Food inflation is the gradual rise in prices of food products over time.

• In India, the source states that food inflation is measured through the Consumer Price Index.

• It notes that the CPI base year has recently changed from 2012 to 2024, based on HCES 2023-24.

• The source also notes changes in item weightages and inclusion of new items in the CPI basket.

• Food inflation is influenced by weather, agricultural input costs, agricultural output and the broader economy.

Quick Recall

• El Niño -> warming of central/eastern equatorial Pacific.

• La Niña -> cooling of central/eastern equatorial Pacific.

• ENSO phases -> El Niño + La Niña + Neutral.

• El Niño generally weakens Indian monsoon; La Niña generally strengthens it.

• Food inflation -> sustained rise in food prices; source links measurement to CPI.

DEFENCE & SECURITY

3. S-400 Air Defence System

Why in News: The source cites the Defence Ministry's Annual Report for 2025-26 as highlighting the S-400's role during Operation Sindoor.

What is the S-400?

• The S-400 is a medium- and long-range missile system developed by Russia.

• It is a surface-to-air missile system.

• It is capable of targeting ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

• It can engage up to 36 targets simultaneously.

• The source states that it can engage targets at up to 400 km and has a detection range of up to 600 km.

• The source compares it broadly with the US THAAD system.

• It states that the system helped counter Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

Operation Sindoor: Source Context

• The source states that a terror attack took place in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025 and resulted in 26 deaths.

• It further states that India launched Operation Sindoor in response, targeting terror bases linked to the attack.

Quick Recall

• S-400 -> Russian surface-to-air missile system.

• Role -> air and missile defence.

• Targets -> ballistic and cruise missiles.

• Source range figures -> engagement up to 400 km; detection up to 600 km.

• Simultaneous engagement -> up to 36 targets.