Answer

India’s agricultural success has often been measured by yield per hectare, a metric that became central during the Green Revolution to ensure food sufficiency for a growing population. However, as food production crossed 332 million tonnes in 2023-24, the focus has shifted to more sustainable outcomes. Experts now argue that yield alone cannot encompass the diverse needs of nutritional security, environmental sustainability, and farmers’ well-being.

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Why Yield Can’t Be the Sole Indicator of Agricultural Success in India

• Neglect of Nutritional Quality: High yields often come at the expense of nutritional density, leading to micronutrient deficiencies in staple crops.
  For example: ICAR found that zinc and iron content in high-yield rice varieties dropped by 33% and 27%, respectively, raising concerns about hidden hunger.
• Rising Input Costs: The pursuit of high yields demands more fertilisers and pesticides, raising production costs for farmers without proportional income gains.
• Environmental Degradation: Intensive farming to maximise yields can degrade soil quality and reduce water availability, making agriculture less sustainable.
  For instance: The Central Ground Water Board noted that states like Punjab and Haryana face severe groundwater depletion due to monocropping of high-yield rice and wheat.
• Loss of Biodiversity: The emphasis on a few high-yielding varieties has led to the loss of traditional crops, reducing agricultural resilience.
  For example: India has lost around 104,000 rice varieties since the Green Revolution, diminishing the region-specific resilience to droughts and floods.
• Reduced Economic Viability for Farmers: The marginal returns on additional yield often do not justify the higher investment, impacting farmers’ profitability.
• Impact on Crop Diversity: Focus on yields has led to monoculture practices, reducing the variety of nutrient-rich crops in the Indian diet.
  For example: Area under coarse cereals like millets declined by 10 million hectares since the 1950s, even though these crops are more climate-resilient and nutrient-rich.
• Short-Term Gains, Long-Term Risks: Yield-oriented farming prioritises short-term output over long-term soil health, leading to declining productivity over time.
  For instance: NITI Aayog highlights that India’s agricultural productivity has plateaued in many regions due to overuse of chemical inputs and soil degradation.

How Focusing Exclusively on Yield May Undermine Soil Health

• Soil Erosion from Intensive Cultivation: Continuous high-intensity farming for maximising yields can lead to soil erosion, reducing topsoil fertility.
  For example: The ICAR estimates that 5.3 billion tonnes of soil is lost annually in India due to unsustainable farming practices.
• Depletion of Soil Organic Matter: High-yield farming often results in low organic matter in soil, affecting its structure and moisture retention.
  For instance: Soil Health Cards issued to farmers reveal declining soil organic carbon levels, especially in regions like Punjab, where intensive monocropping prevails.
• Chemical Fertilisers Leading to Soil Salinity: Overuse of chemical fertilisers to boost yield can increase soil salinity, making land less fertile over time.
  For example: ICAR reported that around 6.7 million hectares of Indian land are affected by salinity, reducing agricultural productivity.
• Microbial Imbalance Due to Chemical Use: Excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers disrupts the natural microbial balance in soil, impacting its long-term fertility.
• Compaction from Over-Irrigation: High yields often require frequent irrigation, leading to soil compaction, which hinders root growth and water infiltration.
• Nutrient Imbalance from Monocropping: Growing the same crop repeatedly to maximise yield leads to nutrient imbalance in the soil, necessitating more chemical inputs.
  For instance The Soil Health Mission reports that paddy-wheat cycles in northern India have caused phosphorus and potassium deficiencies, impacting soil health.
• Decline in Soil Water-Holding Capacity: Yield-maximising practices reduce the organic content in soil, leading to a decline in water retention, making crops vulnerable to droughts.
  For instance: NITI Aayog’s assessment found that low soil organic content in Maharashtra is a key factor behind the recurring droughts affecting crop yields.

Better Indicators for a Holistic Understanding of Agricultural Performance

• Nutritional Output Per Hectare: This measures not just the quantity of food produced but its nutritional value, addressing food security more comprehensively.
  For instance: The National Food Security Mission now focuses on increasing the production of pulses and millets, which are nutrient-dense.
• Soil Health Metrics: Including soil organic carbon and microbial activity in evaluations ensures long-term soil fertility.
  For example: The Soil Health Card Scheme assesses soil health parameters for 125 million farmers, promoting balanced fertiliser use.
• Water-Use Efficiency: Measures like water productivity track the amount of water required per unit of crop yield, promoting sustainable water use.
  For example: The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) aims to achieve more crop per drop, improving water management in drought-prone areas.
• Farm Biodiversity Index: Assessing crop diversity at the farm level helps enhance ecosystem resilience against pests and climate shocks.
  For example: Telangana’s Saagu Baagu project promotes crop diversity and aims for enhanced biodiversity in agriculture through real-time data monitoring.
• Income Diversification Metrics: Tracking the diversification of farm income sources, like intercropping and livestock, ensures economic stability for farmers.
  For example: The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) supports integrated farming systems, allowing farmers to reduce dependence on a single crop.

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While yield has been a cornerstone of India’s agricultural achievements, its limitations necessitate a broader focus on nutritional quality, environmental sustainability, and soil health. A holistic approach that includes nutritional output, soil metrics, and income diversity will better capture the true success of agriculture, ensuring a sustainable and resilient food system for future generations.

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