Our Initiative: Agriculture & Environment

A pesticide is a chemical or biological agent intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest. They represent the last input in agriculture and are used to prevent the spoilage of crops from pests such as insects, fungi, weeds, etc., thereby increasing the overall productivity.

The impact of pesticides in a farmer’s life can be gauged by the fact that farmers in India lose around 20-25 percent of their total production to pests and diseases. Also, with urbanisation and rising population levels, the total available arable land per capita has reduced over the years, encouraging farmers to use more pesticides in order to improve crop yields.

Currently, India is the 4th largest producer of pesticides in the world, and according to research, the Indian pesticide market was worth 197 billion in 2018. The market is further projected to reach 316 billion by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1 percent during 2019–2024.

As of October 2019, a total of 292 pesticides were registered in India. However, the agriculture ministry recently proposed a ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of 27 pesticides in the country over concerns that they could pose a risk to humans and animals alike. This is estimated to cause a loss of about a quarter of the total pesticide industry and a business loss worth ₹6,000 crore, besides affecting farmers’ interest as substitutes are four times more costly.

The 37th Standing Committee of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in 2002 estimated that every year, Indian farmers face losses amounting to *90,000 crores due to pests and diseases. This despite the fact that we use over 55,000 tons of pesticides every year.

But you’d be surprised to know that the use of pesticides in India is one of the lowest (~0.3 kg/ha) in the world. Comparatively, countries like China (~14.82 kg/ha), Japan (-11.85 kg/ha) and South Korea’s (-11.70 kg/ha) pesticide use is over 50 times higher.

Agriculture is a major source of livelihood for millions of people in India, but it also poses significant environmental challenges. Here are some of the major environmental issues with agriculture in India:

Water depletion: Agriculture is a highly water-intensive activity, and India’s water resources are already under severe strain. The excessive use of groundwater for irrigation has led to a rapid depletion of aquifers, especially in areas with low rainfall.

Soil degradation: Intensive farming practices, such as heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, have led to soil degradation and erosion, reducing soil fertility and productivity.

Deforestation: To make way for agriculture, forests are being cleared at an alarming rate. This has resulted in the loss of biodiversity and wildlife habitats, contributing to climate change.

Air pollution: Agricultural burning, a practice used to clear fields and manage crop residues, releases large amounts of pollutants into the air, contributing to air pollution.

Climate change: Agriculture is both a contributor to and a victim of climate change. Changes in weather patterns, such as droughts and floods, can have devastating effects on crops and food production.

Loss of biodiversity: The use of monoculture farming practices and hybrid seeds has reduced the diversity of crops, resulting in the loss of traditional crop varieties and indigenous knowledge.

Pesticide contamination: The excessive use of pesticides in agriculture has led to contamination of soil, water, and food, posing serious health risks to humans and animals.

These environmental issues are complex and interlinked, and addressing them requires a multi-faceted approach that takes into account the social, economic, and ecological dimensions of agriculture.