{"id":334725,"date":"2025-04-29T09:22:48","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T03:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?page_id=334725"},"modified":"2025-04-29T09:22:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T03:52:48","slug":"answered-critically-examine-indias-unsustainable-agricultural-system-and-suggest-the-way-forward-for-achieving-a-revolution-of-clean-energy-and-ecological-restoration","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answered-critically-examine-indias-unsustainable-agricultural-system-and-suggest-the-way-forward-for-achieving-a-revolution-of-clean-energy-and-ecological-restoration\/","title":{"rendered":"[Answered] Critically examine India’s unsustainable agricultural system and suggest the way forward for achieving a revolution of clean energy and ecological restoration."},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

International Mother Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to restore the planet\u2019s health. As the Environment Pollution Index (EPI) 2024<\/strong> ranks India 176th out of 180 countries<\/strong> and the World Air Quality Report 2024<\/strong> highlights that 74 of the 100 most polluted cities<\/strong> are in India, it is evident that India\u2019s rapid economic growth has come at significant ecological costs. Particularly, India\u2019s agricultural production system<\/strong> has become increasingly unsustainable<\/strong>, necessitating immediate reforms to harmonize development with environmental conservation.<\/p>\n

Unsustainability in India’s Agricultural System<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Depletion of Soil Health<\/strong>: Almost two-thirds of Indian soils<\/strong> have Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) below 0.5%<\/strong>, far lower than the optimum 1.5\u20132% (Rattan Lal, World Food Laureate). This depletes soil fertility, reduces productivity, and endangers long-term food security.<\/li>\n
  2. Groundwater Over-extraction and Contamination<\/strong>: In Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, groundwater levels are falling by more than 1.5 feet annually<\/strong>. Overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has led to water contamination, affecting human and ecological health.<\/li>\n
  3. Loss of Biodiversity<\/strong>: Monoculture practices like the rice-wheat rotation<\/strong> in the Green Revolution belt have eroded biodiversity, making agro-ecosystems fragile and vulnerable to pests and climate shocks.<\/li>\n
  4. Policy Distortions<\/strong>: Free electricity<\/strong>, subsidised urea<\/strong>, and open-ended procurement<\/strong> of paddy and wheat have incentivized resource-intensive farming, disregarding ecological costs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Opportunities and Solutions for Sustainable Development<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Repurposing Subsidies<\/strong>: Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) to farmers\u2019 accounts can replace input subsidies, allowing deregulation of fertiliser and power prices. This reduces wastage, encourages efficient resource use, and cuts environmental degradation.<\/li>\n
    2. Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)<\/strong>: Innovative schemes rewarding farmers for sustainable practices\u2014such as promoting pulses<\/strong> and oilseeds<\/strong> that are nitrogen-fixing<\/strong> and water-efficient<\/strong>\u2014can restore soil and biodiversity.<\/li>\n
    3. Promotion of Agrivoltaics<\/strong>: Combining agriculture with solar energy production (“agrivoltaics”) offers a third source of farm income. If DISCOMs<\/strong> purchase solar power from farmers at a 10\u201315% premium over thermal power costs<\/strong>, a revolution of clean energy on farms could be realized. This aligns with the Earth Day 2024 theme<\/strong> of increasing renewable energy by 300% by 2030<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    4. Crop Diversification and Water-Smart Farming<\/strong>: Shifting away from water-intensive paddy to millets (under the International Year of Millets 2023<\/strong>) and legumes supports climate resilience and nutritional security.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Challenges Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n
        \n
      1. Behavioral Resistance<\/strong>: Farmers entrenched in traditional practices may resist change without sufficient education and incentives.<\/li>\n
      2. Institutional Inertia<\/strong>: Reforming procurement, subsidy, and irrigation policies faces political and administrative hurdles.<\/li>\n
      3. Technological Access<\/strong>: Small farmers need better access to solar technologies, sustainable inputs, and credit.<\/li>\n
      4. Market Connectivity<\/strong>: Without strong procurement systems for diversified crops and solar power, initiatives like PES and agrivoltaics may falter.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Way Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n