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.