Sustainability’ as a solution to sustain Indian agriculture in times to come

Agriculture has been the mainstay of economic activities, nutritional and human sustenance since man first learned to till the land. However, with the changing climatic, economic and anthropogenic conditions, agriculture is under tremendous pressure to provide nutritious food and sustain the ever-increasing mouths to feed. Indian agriculture is not untouched by this pressure. Yes, we became a food surplus country because our food grain production, which was merely 51 Mt in 1950/51 increased over six times to over 314 Mt in 2022, but is it sustainable growth? Are our crops achieving their maximum yield? Are our crops and soil really responding to the current fertilization practices? Do Indian farmers understand the importance of nourishing the crop and not solely the soil? Are Indian farmers prepared to embrace precision agriculture? These are just some of the questions that pose a threat towards the goal of achieving sustainable agriculture. India’s progress in developing a sustainable linkage between farming and food security is slow. It’s time to establish a comprehensive strategy for 2024 and beyond that not only addresses the immediate concerns but also fosters long-term sustainability. First and foremost, let us make our farmer, a smart farmer by addressing their lack of knowledge about soil and crop needs. It’s time we dive into accurate soil testing and leaf analysis and educate farmers about the importance of secondary and micronutrients (beyond NPK). We must also focus on educating them about improving micronutrient use efficiency by using coated fertilizers. Additionally, both broad acreage and horticulture farmers should be equipped to adapt foliar nutrition to supplement soil-applied nutrients, especially at critical stages of the life cycle to boost productivity and quality. The Government of India has distributed more than 23 crore soil health cards and thus, it should be made sure that all essential nutrient input is in line with these. Farmers should be made aware of how to build an immune and resilient agriculture. Indian laboratories are hotbeds of innovations, but not many of them find their way to the market. Lab-to-land and agriculture extension programmes should be strengthened to promote sustainability and link traditional agriculture with modern technology. Further, encouraging private sector contributions through a matching grant fund can motivate researchers and scientists to participate in this field. Services like digital infrastructure for agri-stack, in collaboration with the private sector, pave the way for swift implementation of technology to improve sustainable agricultural practices. Going ahead, the government must consider establishing a Centre for Excellence (CoE) for data science applications in agriculture. Providing Agtech companies tax breaks would also accelerate the adoption of precision farming solutions, technology-enabled aggregation and distribution of farm produce. In steering the journey of Indian agriculture in 2024, sustainability must be at the forefront of our strategies. By embracing advanced technology, digital agriculture initiatives, and targeted measures to address each challenge, India can secure a resilient and prosperous future for its farmers and contribute significantly to global agricultural sustainability. This will certainly position India as a global leader in responsible agricultural practices and help build a climate-smart and resilient agriculture. The author is Business Development Manager (YaraVita), Yara India. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Industry expects competitive tax structures and higher allocation for R&D from Budget 2024

13th January 2024

Indian chemical industry has sought expects competitive tax structure, support for raw materials, strategic initiatives, expanded funding for R&D and technological support to maintain sustainable growth

With Union Budget 2024 round the corner, Indian chemical industry has sought competitive tax structure, support for raw materials, strategic initiatives, expanded funding for R&D and technological support to maintain sustainable growth. ICN carries here industry’s expectation from Union Budget 2024-25.

1. Sunil Kumar, Country President - Henkel India

In recent years, India's chemicals sector has surged, becoming the 6th largest producer globally and 3rd in Asia, contributing 7% to GDP. The industry reports indicate a compelling future, with a projected CAGR of 11-12%, by 2027. The sector is primed for rapid expansion, driven by heightened demand, a growing 12%, by 2027. The sector is primed for rapid expansion, driven by heightened demand, a growing domestic base, and evolving consumer preferences. We anticipate the Interim Budget to introduce competitive tax structures, support for raw materials, and strategic initiatives, serving as a catalyst for the continued growth. With these, the Indian chemicals sector can become a global leader, boosting the economy, and paving the way for a sustainable future.”

Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides India

"As we approach the threshold of the 2024 budget, the agricultural sector needs higher allocation for indigenous Research and Development (R&D), with a focus on fostering innovation in sustainable farming practices to bring in the research based latest technology products for crop protection and nutrition within the reach of even small and marginal farmers.

The initiation of a Crop Diversification Programme is poised to enhance agriculture's resilience, impacting the market for agricultural inputs due to the diverse challenges posed by different crops. Finally, the successful implementation of the PM-AASHA initiative is considered pivotal in stabilizing farmers' income.

The indigenous industry had made a detailed proposal to Govt for including agrochemicals now a “Champion sector” under Production Linked Incentive (PLI)  scheme so that the manufacturers could be incentivised to enhance their production (capacity utilisation being 55% at present ).”

Raju Kapoor, Director, Industry & Public Affairs, FMC India

"As we enter the New Year, we welcome 2024 with cautious optimism about the industry outlook emerging out of the challenges encountered by the industry in the year 2023 for the agrochemical industry. The agriculture sector during 2023 saw GVA of the sector falling to 1.8%. While the underlying key drivers for the agrochemical industry remained intact. Hence, there is a need for the sector to reboot itself.

The second half of the year 2023 witnessed significant adverse impact of destocking on the crop protection industry, globally. During 2024, weather permitting, one anticipates an upturn in the in the Indian crop protection industry only towards the third/fourth quarter of the year, signaling a return to normalcy in the overall market dynamics. While the area under sowing for the Rabi 2023 is largely intact for field crops, the reduction in the pulses and oil seeds area in the sowing is negative for the industry.