AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Dr. SUMATI NARAYAN| ASIF MOHI-UD-DIN RATHER

Although agriculture is considered as the backbone of every civilization from nourishing our bodies to sustaining the economy it covers every aspect of our lives. However, the emergence of industrial agriculture has led to pollution on a widespread scale. For thousands of years, agriculture and ecosystems were held in balance, farmers passed down their land generation after generation, leaving ecosystems and soils intact. But these farms were also more vulnerable to pest outbreaks, droughts, floods and diseases. With the introduction of modern agriculture, we have effectively minimized many of these risks to a large extent, but new problems have also emerged: from pesticides to fertilizer runoff, from greenhouse gas emissions to harmful particulates, the inputs and by-products of modern agriculture can have unintended consequences for both ecosystems and humans.

Fortunately, the farm practices that prioritize sustainability can limit and even reverse the damage caused by environmental pollution. We can say that the agricultural pollution can be relatively innocuous—for example, the hum of a tractor can be considered as noise pollution. But the agricultural pollution which we have to combat can cause immense damage, with the vast farm fields spanning thousands of acres contributing to problems such as eutrophication, climate change, biodiversity loss, and more. The main causes of the environmental pollution contributed by the modern agriculture include the non judicious use of pesticides and fertilizers, contaminated water aggravated by use of fertilizers and pesticides, soil erosion and sedimentation, pests and weeds.

The modern-day pesticides have to deal with the local pests that have existed for hundreds of years along with the new invasive species. And so, they are laden with chemicals that are not found in nature. Once they have been sprayed, it does not disappear completely. Some of it mixes with the water and seeps into the ground. The rest is absorbed by the plant itself. As a result, the local streams that are supplied water from the ground become contaminated, as do the animals that eat these crops and plants. They have a predominantly damaging effect on aquatic ecosystems. Certain pesticides, for example, can harm a wide range of ecologically and economically important organisms, including pollinators, natural predators, birds and microbial communities. For example, 35% of all food the production relies on pollinators, which can be negatively impacted by direct contact with pesticides, as well as the residues left on plants.

In order to mitigate the effects of this problem, timely action is must, and the solution is organic farming. As it was rightly said by Mark Smallwood, “If we’re looking to feed the world for the next 50 years, conventional can do it. But if we’re looking at feeding the world for the next 1500 years, we must switch over to organic”. Organic farming as a practice has witnessed a steep boost over the last few years. The most common reasons we can attribute to this phenomenon are the improved taste and higher nutritive value derived from organic produce.  The organic farming practice also comes bundled with huge ecological and environmental benefits. In fact, research studies have revealed that organic farming can eliminate about 500 million pounds of pesticides and chemicals from entering into the environment annually. Organic farming does not rely on the use of synthetic fertilizers as opposed to conventional techniques that are generous with these external chemicals. The consumption of nitrogen has increased exponentially over the last few years. The nitrogen release negatively impacts biodiversity and pollutes the water bodies. In contrast, organic farming does not lead to such nitrogen run-off due to lack of dependence on synthetic nitrogen-based chemicals.

Organic farming is all about natural cultivation practices, which are fairly superior to chemical soil management in terms of ultimate impact on soil. With its practices closely mimicking nature, organic farming ensures that the earth remains unaffected due the externally exposed chemicals. This retains the soil’s natural ability to thrive sustainably. We must also take note of this fact that only a teaspoon of organic soil rich in compost can host upto 1 billion beneficial bacteria of 15,000 species. This is in stark contrast to the same amount of chemically treated soil that is home to less than 100 beneficial bacteria. It is a sustainable practice, also contributes towards curtailing the phenomenon of global warming. An interesting research by The Rodale Institute’s Farming System examined thoroughly, the comparative outcomes from organic and conventional agriculture. The study revealed that the organic farming has the potential to not only reduce the carbon dioxide but also slow down the climate change process. Hence, organic farming can be called the flag-bearer of sustainable farming with all its environmental benefits. With the increasing population, and growing need to feed more mouths in the years to come, it is of paramount importance to adopt the practice of organic farming, so as to ensure that our natural resources are in a position to satisfy basic human needs in the future.

As per the available statistics, India ranks 8th in terms of World's Organic Agricultural land and 1st in terms of total number of producers as per 2020 data. As on 31st March 2021 total area under organic certification process (registered under National Programme for Organic Production) is 4339184.93 ha (2020-21). This includes 2657889.33 ha cultivable area and another 1681295.61 ha for wild harvest collection. Among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has covered largest area under organic certification followed by Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka. During 2016, Sikkim has achieved a remarkable distinction of converting its entire cultivable land (more than 75000 ha) under organic certification. India produced around 3496800.34 MT (2020-21) of certified organic products which includes all varieties of food products namely Oil Seeds, fibre, Sugar cane, Cereals & Millets, Cotton, Pulses, Aromatic & Medicinal Plants, Tea, Coffee, Fruits, Spices, Dry Fruits, Vegetables, Processed foods etc.

The production is not limited to the edible sector but also produces organic cotton fiber, functional food products etc. Among different states Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. In terms of commodities Oil seeds are the single largest category followed by Sugar crops, Cereals and Millets, Tea & Coffee, Fiber crops, fodder, Pulses, Medicinal/ Herbal and Aromatic plants and Spices & Condiments. The total volume of export during 2020-21 was 888179.68 MT. The organic food export realization was around INR 707849.52 Lakhs (1040.95 million USD). Organic products are exported to USA, European Union, Canada, Great Britain, Korea Republic, Israel, Switzerland, Ecuador, Vietnam, Australia etc.

In terms of export value realization Processed foods including soya meal (57%) lead among the products followed by Oilseeds (9%), Cereals and millets (7%), Plantation crop products such as Tea and Coffee (6%), Spices and condiments (5%), Medicinal plants(5%), Dry fruits (3%), Sugar(3%), and others.

The Centre has been promoting organic farming through various government schemes such as Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER). 

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):  The scheme promotes cluster based organic farming with PGS certification. Cluster formation, training, certification and marketing are supported under the scheme. Assistance of Rs.50,000 per ha/ 3 years is provided out of which 62% i.e., Rs. 31,000 is given as incentive to a farmer towards organic inputs.

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER):  The scheme promotes 3rd party certified organic farming of niche crops of the north east region through farmers producer organizations (FPOs) with focus on exports. Farmers are given assistance of Rs 25000/ ha/ 3 years for organic inputs including organic manure and biofertilisers etc. Support for formation of FPOs, capacity building, post-harvest infrastructure up to Rs 2 crores are also provided in the scheme. 

Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) under Soil Health Management Scheme: 100% assistance is provided to state government/ government agencies for setting up of mechanized fruit/ vegetable market waste/ agro waste compost production unit up to a maximum limit of Rs.190 lakh/ unit (3000 Total Per Annum TPA capacity). Similarly, for individuals/ private agencies assistance up to 33% of cost limit to Rs 63 lakh/ unit as capital investment is provided.

National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP): Financial assistance at 50% subsidy to the tune of Rs. 300/- per ha is being provided for different components including bio-fertilizers, supply of rhizobium culture/ phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB)/ zinc solubilising bacteria (ZSB)/ azotobacter/ mycorrhiza and vermicompost.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM):  Financial assistance is provided for promotion of bio-fertilizer (rhizobium/ PSB) at 50% of the cost limited to Rs.300 per ha. 

(Dr. Sumati Narayan is Professor at the Division of Vegetable Science, FoH, SKUAST, Kashmir. Asif Mohi –Ud-Din Rather is a Research Scholar at Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST, Kashmir and can be reached at itzasif01@gmail.com)