Seminar

On

Emerging challenges for sustainable agriculture in India

Speaker Pravir Kumar Pandey M.Sc. (Ag.)final. Dept. of Agronomy College of agriculture Raipur

Introduction
Sustainable

agriculture integrates three main goals environmental health, economic profitability and social and economic equity. These goals have been defined by a variety of philosophies, policies and practices, from the vision of farmers and consumers. Perspectives and approaches are very diverse. Nothing is more important to humanity than sustainable land and reliable food production. Agriculture is an essential occupation needed to feed the worlds population. It often, however, has negative impacts when practiced without regard for the condition of the soil. Nowadays everything has become inorganic even the land due to constant use of fertilizers so its becoming a challenge to convert it to organic. People want fast results, fast yields, organic products give effective results but a bit slow so farmers turn to inorganic ways in some cases. These days the water too have become inorganic from rivers etc.

Sustainability
Sustainability is an attempt to provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both for present and future. It relates to the continuity of institutional, environmental, social and economic aspects of human society, as well as the non-human environment

Concept of Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is a philosophy and system of farming. It has its roots in a set of values that reflect an awareness of both ecological and social realities. It involves design and management procedures that work with natural processes to conserve all resources, promote agro ecosystem resilience and self regulation, minimize waste and environmental damage, while maintaining or improving farm productivity and profitability.

Emerging Challenges
The question of sustainability is raised mainly due to decline in crop production, increase in environmental pollution (soil, atmosphere and end products) degradation of natural resources (soil erosion and water pollution) decline of non renewable energy and increasing cost of cultivation. During the past fifty years, agricultural development policies have been remarkably successful at emphasizing external inputs as the means to increase food production. This has led to growth in global consumption of pesticides, inorganic fertilizer, animal feed-stuffs, and tractors and other machinery.

 Unsustainable irrigation programs throughout the world are resulting in an undesirable buildup of salinity and toxic mineral levels in one out of five hectares under irrigation. Thus, agricultural water, a nonrenewable resource whose use has tripled globally since 1950, has to be used more efficiently to minimize salinization problems.  Excessive soil erosion, in the range of fifteen to forty tons per hectare annually, results in the loss of productive farmland in many parts of the world.  The indiscriminate use of pesticides is affecting human health and wildlife populations, as first reported to the population at large in Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring (1962).

 The increased concentration of farms into larger and larger farm holdings is reducing the number of small family farms, believed by many to represent the heart of rural communities and to be key stewards of the environment.  The trend toward larger farms and plantation-type monocultures is leading to a loss of global biodiversity. Biodiversity, many argue, may be a critical ecological feature that allows the continued survival of humans on earth.  The excessive reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and the improper use and disposal of animal wastes is leading to the breakup of natural nutrient cycles. This causes an undesirable buildup of nutrients and salts in aquifers, affecting wildlife in aquatic habitats.  To change the mind set from quick results-Chemical pesticides, growth regulators and fertilizers give quick results but not long lasting, proved hazardous to health and environment.  Small holding and high pressure to produce more.  Dwindling natural resources, particularly forest. This leaves greater pressure on agriculture for fuel and fodder.

Complications in plant protection. Accelerated soil erosion. Irrigation related problems and Depletion of soil fertility Increasing population Increasing demand of food grains Over exploitation of natural resources etc

Government Strategy for Maintaining Agricultural Sustainability

In recognition of the felt need for Sustainable agriculture, various regulatory and Promotional measures have been taken in our country by the government of India over the past twenty years. These include the following  The Water'(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess, Act, 1977, amended in 1991  The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, amended in 1988.  The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, amended in 1988.  Development of pesticides and insecticides policy for the country;  Development of integrated pest management and nutrient supply system.

 Development and promotion of methods of sustainable farming, especially organic and natural farming.  Efficient use of inputs including agro-chemicals with minimal degradation of environment.  Phasing out and stoppage of persistent and toxic pesticides and their substitution by environmentally safe and appropriate pesticides.  Promotion of environmentally compatible cropping practices, bio-fertilizers and biopesticides

Suggestions for Maintaining Agricultural Sustainability

Technology generated and implemented for increasing productivity of crops during the past five decades which results some challenges like depletion of natural resources, ecological imbalance and several other crop production problems. We can overcome these challenges by following ways

 The crops as well as livestock s that are produced needs to be diversified for increasing the sustainability of the biological conditions of the farm  The cultural practices that are involved in the production of the crops as well as livestock s also need to be diversified for the sake of maintaining the sustainable economic conditions of the soil.  The quality of the soil needs to be sustained for the long term in Agriculture Practice Sustainable and this could be done through efficiently managing the same.  The crops and livestock s that are intended to be produced in the concerned farms are required to be selected in such a way that they are well suited with the geographical and environmental conditions of the concerned farm. This is needed in order of sustainable production of the crops and livestock s.

Overview
 Evidence is now emerging that regenerative and resource-conserving technologies and practices can bring both environmental and economic benefits for farmers, communities, and nations.  Many traditional and most conventional farm practices are not ecologically sustainable. The over use natural resources, reducing soil fertility, causing soil erosion, and contributing to global climatic change. Sustainable agriculture has several major advantages over both traditional and conventional practices

Conclusion
Making the transition to sustainable agriculture is a process. For farmers, the transition to sustainable agriculture normally requires a series of small, realistic steps. Family economics and personal goals influence how fast or how far participants can go in the transition. It is important to realize that each small decision can make a difference and contribute to advancing the entire system further on the "sustainable agriculture continuum." The key to moving forward is the will to take the next step

References
AAFC (2003), Sustainable Development Strategy Sustainable Agriculture: Our Path Forward, Departmental Publication Services, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Dobbs, T. L., Becker, D. L., & Taylor. (1991). Sustainable agriculture policy analyses: South Dakota onfarm case studies. Journal of Farming Systems Research-Extension, 2(2), 109-124. Pretty, J. N. (1994). Policies that work for a more sustainable agriculture. London: IIED. Reddy,S.R. (2008).Principles of Crop Production. Kalyani Publishers,New Delhi. Singh,Guriqbal,Kolar,J.S. and Sekhon,H.S.2002. Recent Advances in Agronomy.Indian Society of Agronomy,New Delhi. Yellamanda Reddy,T.and G.H. Sankara Reddy 1997.Principles of Agronomy.Kalyani Publishers,New Delhi