• UGI USER
  • Dec 08, 2023
  • 23 Likes
  • 0 Comments

REVOLUTIONIZING AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Why in the News?

  • A ground-breaking United Nations Food & Agricultural Organization( FAO) report reveals the staggering hidden costs of global agri-food systems, exceeding $10 trillion.
  • In middle income countries like India, these expenses make up almost 11% of the GDP.

Findings of the Report:

  • Report attributed this hidden cost to unsustainable practices like mono-cropping and chemical-intensive farming.
  • The Green Revolution focused on high-yielding paddy and wheat, dominating India’s agricultural production (over 70%).
  • The National Food Security Act 2013, while subsidizing food for 65%, heavily favors rice and wheat, neglecting coarse grains and biodiversity.

Challenges Highlighted in report:

  • Mono-cropping and chemical-intensive farming have led to a loss of seed sovereignty, a shift to monoculture, compromised nutrition, and increased agrarian indebtedness.
  • Privatization and deregulation led to a staggering 630% increase in farmer debt between 1992 and 2013.
  • Policy biases favouring rice and wheat procurement have resulted in a decline in coarse grain cultivation and the rise of water-intensive cash crops.
  • Policies promoting sugarcane cultivation, backed by dam and canal investments, threaten food security, biodiversity, and contribute to environmental pollution.

Advantage of Crop Diversification: 

Diversified multi-cropping, rooted in agro-ecology, can:

  • revitalize land,
  • provide cash, food, and fodder,
  • enhance ecosystem services,
  • improve soil health, and
  • ensure nutritional security.

Way Forward

  • Diversified multi-cropping systems, such as ‘akkadi saalu’ in Karnataka must be implemented.
  • Farmers can diversify income through value addition, livestock incorporation, and partial land diversification.
  • A gradual shift from mono-cropping involves adopting non-pesticide management, embracing natural farming practices, and experimenting with partial diversification.
  • Collaboration among institutions, policymakers, and social groups is crucial to provide economic incentives for farmers.
  • Overcoming challenges related to local seeds, market access, drudgery, and farm labour is essential for the successful transition.

Transforming agri-food systems requires concerted efforts to protect the environment, enhance nutrition, and ensure a resilient food system for future generations.