As India commemorates National Farmers' Day, or Kisan Diwas, on December 23, the spotlight turns to the nation's 'annadaata' (giver of food) and the urgent need to future-proof agriculture. This observance honours farmers as the backbone of the economy, especially as challenges like climate change and food security accelerate the shift towards eco-friendly farming. For UPSC aspirants and informed citizens, understanding these practices is not just academic but critical for grasping India's policy direction.
Why Sustainable Agriculture is Central to India's Policy
Sustainable agriculture is a farming system designed to meet today's production needs without jeopardising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It balances ecological health, economic viability, and social equity. This approach is now at the heart of India's economic strategy, playing a pivotal role in the national commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Furthermore, it directly supports multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to climate action, clean water, life on land, and decent work.
Essential Sustainable Farming Methods You Must Know
Transitioning to a greener agricultural model involves adopting a suite of innovative and traditional practices. Here are the key methods driving this change:
1. Organic Farming: This method eliminates synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, relying instead on natural inputs like compost and manure. Practices such as crop rotation enhance soil health. While yields can be lower initially, the long-term benefits of reduced pollution, improved soil fertility, and better farmer health make it a cornerstone of sustainability.
2. Agroforestry: This integrates trees into crop or livestock systems. It boosts biodiversity, provides habitats for beneficial insects, and supplements farmers' incomes with products like timber and fruit, creating a more resilient and profitable ecosystem.
3. Zero Tillage (No-Till Farming): This technique grows crops without ploughing the soil. By preserving soil structure, it reduces erosion, improves water retention, and enhances fertility, offering significant environmental and economic gains.
4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM): IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy that minimizes pesticide use. It combines biological control, cultural practices, and targeted chemical use to manage pest populations below economically damaging levels, protecting beneficial organisms.
5. Crop Rotation: Systematically alternating crops on the same land breaks pest and disease cycles, improves soil nutrients, and reduces dependency on chemical inputs.
6. Hydroponics & Aquaponics: These soil-less farming techniques use nutrient-rich water. Hydroponics is highly water-efficient and reduces pesticide needs. Aquaponics combines it with fish farming, where fish waste nourishes plants, and plants filter water for fish, creating a symbiotic, closed-loop system.
7. Agrivoltaic Farming: An innovative practice of cultivating crops under elevated solar panels. It boosts land-use efficiency by allowing simultaneous solar energy generation and agriculture, with crops benefiting from partial shade.
Beyond the Farm: The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
Policy support is crucial for this transition. The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is one of the eight core missions under India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Its objective is to promote adaptation strategies in agriculture through ten key dimensions:
These include improving crop seeds and livestock, enhancing water use efficiency, better pest and nutrient management, adopting improved farm practices, and providing support through insurance, credit, market access, and information.
The NMSA represents a comprehensive governmental framework to build climate resilience, ensure food security, and safeguard the livelihoods of millions of farmers, aligning national efforts with the broader goal of sustainable development.
As we celebrate Kisan Diwas, recognising the adoption and promotion of these sustainable practices is key to honouring farmers' contributions and securing India's agricultural and environmental future.
