Agriculture: Everybody’s responsibility

Agriculture has been a crucial part of human civilisation for centuries, providing sustenance and livelihoods for communities worldwide. However, as the world population continues to grow, the demand for food and other agricultural products is also increasing, putting pressure on the sector to produce more while maintaining sustainability. In this context, agriculture is not just the responsibility of farmers or governments, but of everyone who consumes food and relies on the environment for their well-being. On this year’s National Science Day, we will explore the importance of agriculture as a shared responsibility and discuss ways in which individuals and communities can contribute to sustainable development in the sector.

National Science Day

Science Day is a national event to celebrate India’s scientific achievements. It is observed each year on February 28th, the birth anniversary of C.V. Raman, the physicist who discovered the Raman Effect in 1928. It encourages students and teachers to explore and share scientific ideas, through activities such as seminars, exhibitions, workshops, science fairs and debates. The aim is to make science an enjoyable and accessible part of everyday life.

This year’s theme is ‘Global Science for Global Well-Being’, emphasising the need for international collaboration and exchange of knowledge and resources to advance scientific research and technology in every corner of the world. The Sanskrit mantra ‘Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu‘ echoes this message – reminding us that we are all connected and that working together for the greater good is essential. This could be through cultivating compassion, loving-kindness, or through global research and innovation. Scientific research can help address some of the world’s most pressing issues, such as climate change, poverty and disease, and no one country or group of people can solve such global challenges alone.

To achieve global wellbeing, we must work together and share data and knowledge, as well as developing open-source software and hardware platforms for access to research, technology and education.

Global challenges

India is now the most populous country with over 1.4 billion people. To address global food insecurity, we must focus on improving agricultural productivity and efficiency, investing in renewable sources of energy, reducing food waste, and creating strong social protection systems. In addition, access to safe and nutritious food, price controls and infrastructure should be improved. With government, organisation and individual collaboration, we can build a secure, equitable and sustainable food system. Climate change is a major challenge, impacting crop yields, soil quality and water availability. Farmers must develop strategies to adapt, such as drought-resistant crops, changed crop rotations, new farming technologies and conservation measures. Governments, businesses and civil society organisations should collaborate to develop and implement policies supporting farmers. Water scarcity will worsen and cause a loss of soil fertility, crop yields and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

How agriculture helps

Agriculture revolutionised human history, transforming nomadic hunter-gatherers into settled populations. Cultivating crops and raising livestock for food made it possible for communities to grow, settlements to form, and technology and society to develop. To effectively tackle the above challenges, science and technology need to be used to increase agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses. This can be done by introducing more sustainable agricultural practices such as precision agriculture, water and energy conservation techniques, improved crop varieties, and better livestock management. Additionally, innovations such as vertical farming, urban farming, and aquaculture can be utilised to increase food production. To prevent soil degradation, scientists are working on improved ways of utilising natural resources more effectively for farming and increasing soil fertility. These techniques, combined with the use of modern agro-technologies such as biotechnology, hydroponics, and aquaponics, can help to increase the agricultural production.

Agriculture in India

Agriculture contributes 18% of India’s GDP and provides 50% of jobs in both rural and urban areas. It sustains food security and provides raw materials for industry, while its exports generate foreign exchange and drive rural development. India leads in the production of cotton, tea, spices, and jute. It creates incomes for millions, especially in rural areas, and preserves ecological balance and natural resources like water and soil fertility. Thanks to the Green Revolution, modern, scientific methods increased agricultural production, initiating high-yielding crop varieties and chemical fertilisers’ wide-scale use. This had a profound effect on yields, eventually leading India to become a food-surplus country. Micro-irrigation systems, farm-machinery, and plant protection devices were developed, further improving agricultural productivity and reducing poverty and hunger in India. The white revolution, spearheaded in 1970 by the National Dairy Development Board, made India the largest milk producer, increasing its production from 22 to 210 million tonnes. It allowed dairy cooperatives to form, provided farmers with better technology and credit facilities, and created employment opportunities. It also secured milk producers’ markets and ensured a fair price for their produce. The remarkable green and white revolutions, led by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan and Dr. Verghese Kurien respectively, have enabled India’s socio-economic transformation.

Agricultural exports today

India has emerged as a major agricultural exporter in recent years. Today, India’s agricultural exports has crossed a record high of $50 billion, making it one of the top ten agricultural exporting countries in the world. India is the largest producer of milk and pulses, the second-largest producer of rice, wheat, fruits and vegetables, and the third-largest producer of tobacco and tea. It is also the world’s largest producer of spices, jute, and cashew nuts. India’s agricultural exports include grains, oilseeds, pulses, fruits and vegetables, processed foods, tea, coffee, sugar, and spices. These exports have helped India to become an attractive destination for foreign investment in the agro-processing sector. Overall, India’s agricultural exports have significantly contributed to its economic growth and foreign exchange earnings.

Innovations in agriculture

India’s population is growing rapidly, creating a challenge in supplying enough food. To meet this demand, traditional farming practices are no longer sufficient. Advanced farming methods, biotechnology, and new technologies, such as automation, are needed. Precision farming uses technology to better understand environmental factors that affect crop production and growth, enabling farmers to increase productivity and reduce input costs. Genomics is also important in creating new varieties of crops with greater yields, nutritional value, stress tolerance, and disease/drought resistance. Vertical farming has the potential to provide fresh, locally-grown produce, while aquaponics combines fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers and making efficient use of land and energy. Robotics and automation are being used to automate tasks such as planting, harvesting, and sorting and can help monitor the health of animals.

Sustainable Agriculture

Hi-tech agricultural practices, such as mono-cropping, chemical fertilisers, and large machinery, can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions. To offset the negative environmental impacts, sustainable agricultural practices should be adopted, like efficient use of resources, integrated pest management, organic agriculture, and natural farming. For example, organic fertiliser, crop rotation, and crop diversification can help improve soil fertility. Additionally, efficient irrigation systems and renewable energy sources like solar or wind can also be implemented. Regenerative agriculture, an advanced version of sustainable agriculture, can increase biodiversity, enrich soils, improve water cycles, and enhance ecosystem services. Strategies like cover crops, no-till farming, composting, crop rotation, and animal rotation help to improve soil fertility, conserve resources, and reduce inputs such as energy, water, and fertiliser.

Agricultural research is the key

Agricultural science offers us the means to create a healthier, more sustainable world. Advances in crop production and animal husbandry can increase food security, lower environmental impact, and spur economic growth. Investing in agricultural science means creating a better future for us all. India has a longstanding agricultural research tradition, beginning with the Pusa Institute (1893) and Imperial Council of Agricultural Research (1929). The response to the Bengal famine was to further invest in agricultural research and development, as seen in the launch of the All-India Coordinated Research Project on Maize (1957) and foundation of the first state agricultural university at Pantnagar (1960). The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was overhauled in 1966, now leading a large research network with research institutes, agricultural universities, and associated institutions. India is now a top performer in agricultural research, with many institutions and researchers developing and applying new technologies to deal with food production issues.

Agricultural science studies solutions related to global matters like food insecurity, climate change, and environmental damage. This includes soil science, crop production, animal science, agrochemicals, horticulture, and food science. Agricultural scientists work to help farmers to raise yields, grow higher-quality crops, protect the environment, conserve water and nutrients, and preserve biodiversity. In developing countries, they address hunger. Those interested can pursue a range of disciplines like biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, economics, and engineering. This interdisciplinary approach provides students with career opportunities such as agricultural engineer, soil scientist, agronomist, food scientist, horticultural specialist, or research scientist.

Agricultural Research Service

In India, agricultural research service (ARS), a part of ICAR, works in collaboration with universities and other organisations to develop new technologies and practices suited to the Indian context, reduce impact of crop diseases and pests, and improve yield. It provides dedicated service to the farming community and is committed to promoting food security. ARS combines a range of disciplines including physical, biological, engineering, computer science, IT, dairy, veterinary, and fishery sciences to develop new crop varieties and agro-resources for farmers.

Agricultural science as a career

It is a field with many exciting career opportunities that can help contribute to global well-being. It will help you to make a difference

• by exploring the potential of sustainable agriculture,

• by learning about the latest advances in agricultural technology,

• by discovering ways to improve food production and distribution

• by understanding the impact of climate change on agriculture

Agricultural science offers a rewarding experience through which you can make a difference in the world by pursuing your interests and passions. By choosing this field, you can positively affect people and be at one with nature. Don’t hesitate to take this leap – the sector needs young, bright minds like yours!

Conclusion

Dr. Swaminathan said it best: “If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else have a chance to go right in the country”. This should be a wake up call for all of us, no matter what our chosen path in life – engineer, doctor, businessman, politician or otherwise – as agriculture is deeply connected to our very existence.

[Online lecture delivered on 28 February 2023, the National Science Day, at ICAR – Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad]