Food Security and Environment

-Priyanka ChakrabortyIIT Kharagpur1st Year LL.B

Introduction

Farming, agricultural and fishery products form a major part of the cultural identity of India’s people and regions.

India has a great diversity in terms of natural environments, climates, fishing and farming practices.

Indian agriculture since 1947Before mid-1960s India relied on imports and food aid to meet domestic requirements.

However, two years of severe drought in 1965 and 1966 convinced India to reform its agricultural policy.

This ushered in India's Green Revolution.

The state of Punjab led India's Green Revolution and earned the distinction of being the country's bread basket

India’s Agricultural growthIn the past agriculture has played and will continue to play a dominant role in the growth of Indian economy in the foreseeable future.

It represents the largest sector producing around 28% of the GDP.

It is the largest employer providing more than 60% of the jobs and is the prime arbiter of living standards for 70% of India’s population living in the rural areas

Contd…Indian agriculture, which grew at the rate of about 1% per annum during the 50 years before Independence, has grown at the rate of about 2.6%per annum in the post-Independence era.

India currently occupies third position in the world, after China and USA, in terms of fertilizer production and consumption

Agriculture’s impact on the environmentAt the global level, agriculture contributes to climate change through emission of greenhouse gases and reduction of carbon storage in vegetation and soil.

Locally, agriculture reduces biodiversity and affects natural habitats through land conversion, eutrophication, pesticide inputs, irrigation and drainage.

Unsustainable agricultural practices also lead to direct environmental feed-backs such as soil erosion and loss of pollinators (because of excessive pesticide application).

Monocropping and its effects

Monocropping is the agricultural practice of growing a single crop year after year on the same land.

While economically a very efficient system, allowing for specialization in crop production, it can damage the soil increasing crop vulnerability to opportunistic insects, plants, and microorganisms.

Wheat, corn and soyabean are three common crops often grown using monocropping techniques.

Contd…Soil depletion is a negative effect of mono-cropping.

Farmers are forced to use chemical fertilizers to encourage plant growth and fruit production.

Monocropping also creates the spread of pests and diseases, which must be treated with yet more chemicals.

Under certain circumstances monocropping can also lead to deforestation.

Genetically Modified Crops

In India, experiments have been carried out and GM crops like the Golden Rice (which is rich in proteins) have been used.

GM crops may lead to a monoculture and devastate the biodiversity that maybe like a self serving bio weapon on a target nation.

India is the third largest producer of cotton after China and the U.S.

India, gave the conditional clearance to Monsanto and Mahyco for commercial planting of the genetically engineered Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt.) cotton in four states of southern and central India in 2002.

First few months the crop grew fast, but unfortunately, in the fourth month, the Bt cotton stopped growing and producing new buds. There was also bursting of immature bolls and heavy infestation of bollworm.

Contd…

In the state of Andhra Pradesh 79% of the crop was lost.

In Madhya Pradesh 100% of the crop was lost. In Maharastra, the Bt crop has failed across 30,000 hec. In Gujarat, it was completely destroyed by the bollworm.

Subsequently, about 200 farmers committed suicide.

The Bt. cotton failure has cost the farming industry a total loss of Rs. 1128 million or twenty million euro in 105000 acres across the country in one cropping season.

Contd…

In studies carried out, it has been demonstrated that GM crops transfer their genes to soil fungi and bacteria.

The affected fungi and bacteria then behave in abnormal ways and diminish their function in breaking down organic material, which makes nutrients available to plants.

Contd…

The soil will become progressively less fertile. After a few seasons of planting the GM crop the soil will not be able to host any other conventional crop.

A major factor in agriculture is the availability of water. Bt cotton consumes much more water than non Bt hybrids do.

The high cost of GMO seeds, extensive use of herbecides and great reduction in crop value have often times left farmers bankrupt.

Contd…

The unresolved plight of Indian farmers

Farmers use genetically modify crops for one of several reasons: to increase resistance to certain viruses or toxins, to increase pesticide resistance and to increase resistance to certain powerful herbicides.

But the harmful effects are:- Harm to Other Organisms Cross Contamination Increased Resistance to Pesticides Allergenic Effects

Element Areas of concernRaw materials Agriculture accounts for a big part of the environmental impact

along the food chain. It impacts on water, air quality, climate, soil and bio-diversity.

Raw material and waste management

Using materials as efficiently as possible and to reduce waste. Reuse, recycling and recovery.

Energy and climate change

Reducing the energy used in the food and drink industry will help to reduce impact on climate change.

Water Water is used extensively in agriculture, manufacturing and processing. The industry are exploring ways to reduce water use.

Packaging Reducing packaging without affecting quality, safety, and consumer needs. Effective recycling.

Transport /distribution Reducing transportation – fewer and friendlier miles.

Consumers Energy used for shopping by car, food storage and preparation. Food waste.

Food security act,2013 was passed which guarantees 5 kg of food grains per person per month. It also sought a direction to authorities that affected families be also given pulses and edible oils.

Recently in 2016, a PIL was filed saying Gujarat is among the states which are yet to implement the Act.

The PIL, filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan, had alleged that the Centre and states “have been highly negligent in performing their obligations, causing enormous damage to the lives of the people due to their inaction, which is in contravention of the rights guaranteed under Articles 21 and 14 of the Constitution of India”.

Challenges for the global food system: Balancing future demand and supply sustainably

Ensuring there is adequate stability in food supplies

Achieving global access to food and ending hunger (food security for all)

Managing the contribution of the food system to the mitigation of climate change

Maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services while feeding the world.

Thank You