India’s agricultural exports rose from $8.7 billion in 2004-2005 to $53.1 billion in 2022-2023, driven by increased revenue, foreign exchange, and economic growth.
Sustainability-Economic Paradox
- Gain at the cost of environment: Expanding exports boost the economy but may risk the environmental health of production systems and the well-being of agricultural workers.
- Need of balance: India’s agricultural policies should prioritise environmental safeguards, labour rights, and sustainable practices to support local and global markets while preserving natural resources.
- Sustainability must address all stages of production, from pre-sowing to post-harvest, to ensure long-term viability.
- Challenges of Sustainability in Agriculture: Sustainable agriculture hinges not only on productivity but also on ecological and social factors, with governance shaping these aspects.
- Tea and sugar, two prominent commodities in India with a large domestic and export-oriented consumption base, offer good examples to illustrate the problems herein.
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Key Findings on Tea and Sugar Industry
| Aspect |
Tea Industry |
Sugar Industry |
| Global Ranking |
Fourth-largest tea exporter and second-largest producer after China. |
Second-largest sugar producer globally. |
| Export – Import Volume |
- Exports primarily to the UAE, Russia, and the U.S..
- India exported a total of 228.4 million kg tea worth US$ 765 million in 2022-23.
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- Sugarcane and sugar exports are limited compared to domestic consumption;
- India occasionally imports to meet demand peaks.
- The government in October 2023 issued a notification, restricting sugar export for an indefinite period.
|
| Economic Impact |
Major source of employment; significant contribution to India’s agricultural exports; employs a large female workforce. |
Significant for the agricultural economy; supports millions of farmers, but highly water-dependent and resource-intensive. |
| Human-Wildlife Conflicts |
Approximately 70% of tea plantations are near forests, leading to frequent conflicts with wildlife, especially elephants, resulting in crop and property damage. |
Not directly impacted by wildlife; however, sugarcane monoculture has displaced natural ecosystems, impacting biodiversity. |
| Pesticide Reliance |
Around 85% of pesticides used are synthetic, leading to chemical residues associated with health risks like cancer and neurotoxicity. |
High pesticide use in cultivation, though somewhat less than in tea; indirect environmental effects due to chemical runoff. |
| Water Demand |
Moderate water requirements, though not as high as sugarcane; dependent on regular rainfall in major tea-growing regions. |
Highly water-intensive, consuming up to 2,000 litres per kg of sugar, with sugarcane and paddy using 60% of India’s irrigation water. |
| Sustainability Challenges |
Chemical residues, biodiversity loss, and wildlife conflicts; |
Water scarcity due to high water demands, habitat loss, ecosystem impact;
Use of drip irrigation could reduce water usage by 40-50%. |
| Labour Conditions |
Poor working conditions, low wages, and limited law enforcement under the Plantations Labour Act; over 50% of workers are women. |
Workers face long hours, harsh conditions, and debt cycles; exacerbated by rising temperatures affecting worker health. |
Sustainability Challenges linked with increased agri Export
- Increased Chemical Usage: The drive for higher yields often leads to intensive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, harming soil health and water bodies.
- Water Stress: Many agricultural practices, especially in water-scarce regions, are water-intensive, depleting groundwater resources. Export of water intensive crops leads to Virtual water Export depleting domestic sources.
- Soil Degradation: Monoculture practices and excessive use of chemicals can degrade soil health, reducing its fertility and productivity over time.
- Climate Change Impact: Climate change-induced extreme weather events like droughts and floods can disrupt agricultural production and exacerbate existing challenges.
- Labor Exploitation: In some cases, agricultural workers, particularly in labour-intensive sectors like tea and sugar, face poor working conditions and low wages.
Sustainable Agriculture as a Solution
- Sustainable agriculture is a farming system that aims to protect the environment, enhance human health, and ensure economic viability.
- It focuses on practices that conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and promote biodiversity.
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Key Methods of Sustainable Agriculture
- Crop Rotation: Alternating crops to improve soil health and reduce pest and disease problems.
- Cover Cropping: Planting crops to protect soil, prevent erosion, and improve soil fertility.
- Conservation Tillage: Minimising soil disturbance to reduce erosion and conserve moisture.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Using a combination of biological, cultural, and chemical controls to manage pests.
- Organic Farming: Avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, relying on natural methods.
- Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into farming systems to improve soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
- Precision Agriculture: Using technology to optimise inputs and reduce environmental impact.
Millets as a Model for Promoting Sustainable Alternatives:
- Advantages of Millet Production: Millets are resilient to climate challenges, enhance soil health, and support nutritional security, making them a sustainable option.
- Millets require fewer inputs and adapt well to resource-limited conditions
- Government push to Millet: National Millet Mission and recent initiatives to promote millet production, processing and branding (Shrianna) has led to a surge in millet production.
- Millet Export Growth: India’s millet exports have grown significantly, with $75.45 million in exports in 2022-2023, underscoring the demand for sustainable, resilient crops.
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Benefits of Sustainable Agriculture
- Environmental Benefits: Reduced soil erosion, improved water quality, and increased biodiversity.
- Economic Benefits: Increased farm profitability, reduced input costs, and enhanced market access.
- Social Benefits: Improved rural livelihoods, food security, and community resilience.
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- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Promotes organic farming and traditional agricultural practices.
- Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCDNER): Supports organic farming in the North-East region.
- Soil Health Card Scheme: Provides farmers with information on soil health and nutrient deficiencies.
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Promotes efficient irrigation practices.
- National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Aims to increase agricultural production and food security.
- Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): It relies on natural inputs like cow dung, cow urine, and local plant materials. It aims to reduce costs and improve soil health, leading to higher yields with better quality produce and ultimately making the external input in farming zero.
November 15, 2024
