[Answered] Critically examine India’s unsustainable agricultural system and suggest the way forward for achieving a revolution of clean energy and ecological restoration.

Introduction

International Mother Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to restore the planet’s health. As the Environment Pollution Index (EPI) 2024 ranks India 176th out of 180 countries and the World Air Quality Report 2024 highlights that 74 of the 100 most polluted cities are in India, it is evident that India’s rapid economic growth has come at significant ecological costs. Particularly, India’s agricultural production system has become increasingly unsustainable, necessitating immediate reforms to harmonize development with environmental conservation.

Unsustainability in India’s Agricultural System

1. Depletion of Soil Health: Almost two-thirds of Indian soils have Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) below 0.5%, far lower than the optimum 1.5–2% (Rattan Lal, World Food Laureate). This depletes soil fertility, reduces productivity, and endangers long-term food security.
2. Groundwater Over-extraction and Contamination: In Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, groundwater levels are falling by more than 1.5 feet annually. Overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has led to water contamination, affecting human and ecological health.
3. Loss of Biodiversity: Monoculture practices like the rice-wheat rotation in the Green Revolution belt have eroded biodiversity, making agro-ecosystems fragile and vulnerable to pests and climate shocks.
4. Policy Distortions: Free electricity, subsidised urea, and open-ended procurement of paddy and wheat have incentivized resource-intensive farming, disregarding ecological costs.

Opportunities and Solutions for Sustainable Development

1. Repurposing Subsidies: Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) to farmers’ accounts can replace input subsidies, allowing deregulation of fertiliser and power prices. This reduces wastage, encourages efficient resource use, and cuts environmental degradation.
2. Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES): Innovative schemes rewarding farmers for sustainable practices—such as promoting pulses and oilseeds that are nitrogen-fixing and water-efficient—can restore soil and biodiversity.
3. Promotion of Agrivoltaics: Combining agriculture with solar energy production (“agrivoltaics”) offers a third source of farm income. If DISCOMs purchase solar power from farmers at a 10–15% premium over thermal power costs, a revolution of clean energy on farms could be realized. This aligns with the Earth Day 2024 theme of increasing renewable energy by 300% by 2030.
4. Crop Diversification and Water-Smart Farming: Shifting away from water-intensive paddy to millets (under the International Year of Millets 2023) and legumes supports climate resilience and nutritional security.

Challenges Ahead

1. Behavioral Resistance: Farmers entrenched in traditional practices may resist change without sufficient education and incentives.
2. Institutional Inertia: Reforming procurement, subsidy, and irrigation policies faces political and administrative hurdles.
3. Technological Access: Small farmers need better access to solar technologies, sustainable inputs, and credit.
4. Market Connectivity: Without strong procurement systems for diversified crops and solar power, initiatives like PES and agrivoltaics may falter.

Way Forward

• Comprehensive Policy Reforms: Integrating environmental goals into agricultural policies, guided by reports like NITI Aayog’s Doubling Farmers’ Income, is essential.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Collaborations can bridge technological gaps and scale sustainable models.
• Localized Solutions: Watershed-based planning, community solar projects, and farmer cooperatives must be promoted.
• Awareness and Education Campaigns: Farmers must be sensitized about the long-term benefits of sustainable agriculture and clean energy adoption.

Conclusion

Gandhiji’s words, “The earth is not an inheritance from our forefathers but a loan from our children,” resonate deeply today. India’s agricultural transition must prioritize ecological sustainability alongside productivity. By recalibrating policies, incentivizing green innovations like agrivoltaics, and mainstreaming ecosystem services, India can ensure a prosperous, sustainable future for India@2047—restoring not just the health of our soils and waters, but also the soul of our civilization.