AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM

2. About Intensive Agriculture

Impacts of Intensive Agriculture in India

India's agricultural sector has undergone significant transformations over the past five decades, primarily driven by the adoption of monocropping systems and chemical-intensive farming practices. While these practices have led to impressive improvements in agricultural productivity, they have also brought about several unintended consequences:

• The Green Revolution's emphasis on high-yielding varieties of paddy and wheat has led to a reliance on seeds purchased from multinational corporations. This has eroded seed sovereignty, diminishing farmers' control over their seed selection and cultivation practices. Additionally, the infusion of these seeds has displaced traditional cropping patterns and Indigenous knowledge systems related to sustainable agriculture.
• The Green Revolution promoted a shift from diverse crop varieties and staples, such as pulses and millets, towards monoculture plantations of paddy and wheat. This monocultural approach has compromised the nutritional needs of households, reducing access to a variety of essential nutrients.
• The intensive use of chemicals in agriculture has led to excessive extraction of groundwater, soil degradation, and pollution of water bodies. These environmental impacts threaten the long-term sustainability of agriculture and pose risks to human health.
• The privatization and deregulation of agricultural inputs have made farmers increasingly reliant on external sources for seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. This has led to a rise in indebtedness among agrarian households, putting a significant financial strain on farmers.
• The combination of factors mentioned above has rendered agriculture in India increasingly unviable. The average monthly household income of a farming household stands at ₹10,816, well below the national average, highlighting the economic struggles faced by farmers.

3. Favoured Crops in India's Food System

India's food system is characterized by a heavy focus on rice and wheat production, driven by procurement policies and agricultural subsidies. This emphasis has led to a decline in the cultivation of coarse grains and other nutritious crops, raising concerns about food security and nutritional diversity.

Procurement Policies and Rice-Wheat Dominance

• Under the National Food Security Act 2013, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) plays a central role in procuring food grains for the Public Distribution System and other welfare programs.
• However, the procurement policy disproportionately favours rice and wheat, with the FCI procuring 341.32 lakh million tonnes (MT) of wheat and 514.27 lakh MT of rice in 2019-2020.
• This focus on rice and wheat has led to a significant increase in their cultivation, while the area under coarse grains has declined by 20% between 1966-1967 and 2017-2018.

Decline of Coarse Grains and Nutritional Crops

• The neglect of coarse grains and other nutritious crops like jowar, bajra, ragi, maize, and barley has adverse consequences for food security and nutrition.
• These crops are typically grown by small and marginal farmers and are more resistant to droughts and pests compared to rice and wheat.
• Moreover, they offer a wider range of nutrients, contributing to a more balanced and diverse diet.

Impacts of Sugarcane and Areca Nut Cultivation

• The expansion of water-intensive cash crops like sugarcane and areca nut has also emerged as a concern.
• Sugarcane cultivation affects biodiversity, increases pressure on groundwater resources, and contributes to air and water pollution.
• Areca nut plantations, often grown under favourable policies for borewell electricity, have also raised environmental concerns.

Global Trade and Food Production Systems

• The global food system structure has a direct impact on farmers and soil health.
• For instance, between 2012 and 2016, large fluctuations in soya prices in the global market and a glut in supply from Latin American countries eroded income for soy farmers and agro-companies in Malwa.
• Historically, global trade relations have influenced food production systems in the Global South, as evident in the pre-independence era when tax systems were designed to facilitate the export of primary raw materials like cotton.
• Reforming procurement policies to promote a more diverse range of crops, particularly coarse grains and nutritious varieties, is crucial for enhancing food security and improving nutritional outcomes.
• Additionally, addressing the environmental impacts of water-intensive cash crops like sugarcane and areca nut is essential for sustainable agriculture.

4. Crop Diversification as a Solution for Food and Environmental Challenges

The current global food system faces significant challenges, including environmental degradation, malnutrition, and exploitation of farmers. A systemic shift towards local and diversified food production systems is essential to address these issues. Crop diversification, rooted in agroecological principles, offers a promising solution.

Benefits of Diversified Multi-cropping Systems

Multi-cropping systems, incorporating a variety of crops, legumes, pulses, oilseeds, trees, shrubs, and livestock, provide numerous benefits:

•  Diversified systems enhance soil health, improve nutrient cycling, and increase soil biodiversity, fostering resilience against climate change and enhancing productivity.
• Diversified farms offer a diverse range of products, providing både cash income from commercial crops and food and fodder for household consumption and livestock.
• Intercropping practices promote ecosystem services such as nitrogen fixation, pest control, and pollination, contributing to a more balanced and sustainable agricultural system.
• Diversified diets rich in millet, legumes, and pulses enhance nutritional security, combating malnutrition and promoting overall health.

Addressing Concerns about Farmer Income

Critics often express concerns that alternative farming systems may lead to a decline in farmer income. However, the FAO report highlights the "hidden costs" associated with the current system, emphasizing the need to consider long-term income evaluations. Diversified systems offer several advantages in this regard:

• Millets, with yields comparable to rice and wheat, offer greater nutritional value, adaptability to semi-arid conditions, minimal input requirements, and a diverse food basket.
• Redirecting subsidies from corporations to farmers who adopt sustainable practices can incentivize them to protect natural capital and enhance their livelihoods.

5. Enabling Farmers' Transition to Sustainable Agriculture

Transitioning from chemical-intensive monoculture practices to diversified and sustainable agriculture requires a systematic approach that supports farmers throughout the process. Here are key considerations for facilitating this transition:

• Expecting an abrupt shift to diversified agriculture is unrealistic. Farmers need time to adjust and explore new practices. A gradual approach, such as experimenting with non-pesticide management and natural farming methods, can reduce input costs and ease the transition.
• Diversifying income sources is crucial for farmers adopting sustainable practices. Value addition, livestock integration, and poultry farming can provide additional income streams, reducing reliance on monoculture crops.
• Experimenting with diversified farming practices on specific portions of land allows farmers to assess the feasibility and benefits of these methods without risking their entire livelihood.
• A visual representation of a diversified farm allocates 70% for commercial crops, 20% for food and fodder, and 10% for environmental services like oilseed trap crops. Over time, the commercial crop allocation can be reduced to 50% and border crops replaced with locally suitable tree species. Livestock integration can further enhance incomes.
• Preliminary economic modelling suggests that diversified practices can improve ecological outcomes and sustain farm incomes in the short and long run.
• Challenges such as local seed availability, market access, drudgery, and farm labour requirements need to be addressed for a successful transition.
• Scaling up sustainable practices requires collaboration among institutions, policymakers, and social groups to create economic incentives for farmers to shift from monoculture to diversified cropping.