Page 193 - CW E-Magazine (9-7-2024)

Special Report Special Report

Holistic approach for agricultural development soil and ammonia volatilisation from operative farming system approach to address food and climate issues
the soil surface into the atmosphere would be helpful for the farmers to requires coordinated efforts at all levels –
will be minimum. The need of the use advanced technologies for their from research to policies, and across
griculture continues to be the of soil health; depleting natural hour is to promote balanced fertilisa- benefits. commercial, governmental, and civil
backbone of the Indian eco- and water resources; imbalance in tion and integrated nutrient manage- society sectors. Identifi cation, creation,
Anomy. Quite a large number of use of fertilisers; fragmentation of ment (INM) among the farmers by Nutrient management and adoption at fi eld levels of suitable
people depend directly or indirectly on land holdings; etc. In 2023, there was stakeholders. Proper nutrient management is also location-specifi c climate-smart agri-
agriculture for their livelihood. How- longest delay in onset of south-west one of the major factors bringing suc- culture technologies, and promotion
ever, it continues to be the largest and monsoon. Further, August 2023 was Constraints of water cess in precision agriculture. Modern of integrated farming systems will go
high-risk economy activity. India has considerably dry, and rainfall was Water is the most important tools and technologies such as remote a long way in enhancing agriculture
geographical area of about 329-million 36% below the long-term average. natural resource for civilisation to sensing, artifi cial intelligence, drone production, farmers’ income, elevating
hectares, divided into 20 agro-climate Many sub-divisions received defi cient survive. Agriculture is a major con- technology, variable rate technology, poverty and ensuring food & nutritional
regions and has become the most popu- rains during the season including parts sumer of water. Over-exploitation of crop modelling, site specifi c nutrient security on sustainable basis.
lated country in the world. India has of north-eastern States, eastern U.P., ground water resource is leading to management, leaf colour chart and
18% of world population on 2.3% of Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, falling ground water table and creat- mobile applications are helping farmers In line with the purchasing power
geographical area and 4% of freshwater to 2021-22. More than 90% of rice is Bihar, South interior Karnataka and ing hydrological droughts. In canal- make informed decisions about better of farmers and occupation of land, dif-
resources. procured from 11 States. There was mar- Kerala. The South-west monsoon irrigated areas due to seepage losses nutrient management, reducing wast-
ginal dip of 1.2% in procurement of rice withdrew from the entire country on and overuse of water for irrigation, age and minimizing environment foot- ferent models of nutrient management
(specifi c to combinations of fertilisers,
Production of food grains in 2022-23 compared to 2021-22. The October 19, 2023. problems of salinity and alkalinity are prints. The tools also help in improving organic manures, bio-fertilisers, recyc-
To feed 1.42-bn people, the coun- dwindling stocks of rice and wheat in the major issues. farm productivity and farmers’ income.
try produced 329.7-mt of food grains central pool can be a cause of worry at During the current year, Southern ling of agricultural wastes, etc.) for
optimizing cost of cultivation, which
and 355.5-mt of horticultural crops in any stage of time. Procurement of wheat Peninsula and coastal areas were worst Scientific management of water Conservation agriculture (CA) is will translate to enhancing farm pro-
2022-23. The corresponding fi gures is in progress. It is hoped that the procure- affected by severe heat waves and high is indispensable for agricultural an area in which nutrient management ductivity and income of farmers, need
for 2023-24 are expected to be 328.9-mt ment will be better in view of expectation temperatures in April. However, a relief growth, and sustainability of eco- requires reorientation. Under CA there to be developed taking all factors into
of record production of wheat as per the
and 352.2-mt, respectively. Except second advance estimates released by in the form of normal southwest mon- systems. Proper synchronisation of are scientifi c evidence for lower nutri- consideration.
wheat and jute & mesta, production of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers soon and good rains in August as per application of fertilisers before or ent requirements and high effi ciencies.
oilseeds, sugarcane and cotton is Welfare. the weather forecast due to La Nina after irrigation as per the situation Refi ning fertiliser practices; promoting
expected to decline in 2023-24 compared effect will be quite helpful for the improves nutrient as well as water- high nutrient use efficiency and Concluding remarks
to 2022-23. The country is self-suffi - Agricultural productivity agricultural sector. use efficiency. Rainwater harvesting crop variants; advancing sub-surface A holistic approach for mitigating
cient in production of food grains Productive land should be used for with construction of bunds and check application; mechanisation; exploring climate change; proper water manage-
except for oilseeds and pulses. Estimated agriculture only, rather than diverting Restoring soil health dams in rural areas should be taken on fertigation; and realt-ime nutrient man- ment; promotion of balanced fertilisation
requirements for 2050 are 405-mt of for other purposes. Average yields of Deterioration of soil health is hap- war footing. This has become neces- agement tools are crucial for improving and integrated nutrient management;
food grains, 39-mt of oilseeds and 646-mt paddy and wheat in India in 2021 were pening due to lowering of organic matter sarily in view of climate change. CA’s productivity and sustainability. improvement in nutrient-use effi ciency;
of horticultural produce for nourishing 4,214-kg/ha and 3,467-kg/ha, compared content and imbalanced use of fertili- Every drop of water needs to be importance of crop diversifi cation and
about 1.69-bn people. The growth to 7,144-kg/ha and 5,811-kg/ha in China, sers. Balanced fertilisation can easily be conserved in the soil. Recommended Climate-smart agriculture integrated farming systems; use of
in agricultural production should be on respectively. The yields of food grains in adopted by following soil test-based practices of water application in Climate-smart agriculture is a modern tools; and adoption of precision
sustainable basis as there have been ups India are also lower than in many deve- recommendations and the same needs different crops should be practiced comprehensive approach intended to and conservation agriculture has to be
and downs on year-on-year basis. loping and developed countries. There are more emphasis for farmers to accept by farmers. Use of micro-irrigation preserve sustainability, resilience, and given more momentum for sustainable
considerable inter-State and inter-region this concept. Use effi ciency of applied growth in agriculture.
Minimum support prices & procure- variations in average yields of the crops. N, P2O5, K2O, S and micronutrients is system is on rise in the country, and mitigation in the agricultural produc- [Indian Journal of Fertilisers, 20 (5): 446-
it should be given more impetus. For tion system. An integrated, evidence-
35-50%, less than 20%, 50-60%, 8-12%
ment Furthermore, the yields are low at far- and 2-5%, respectively. Farmers need to fragmentation of land holdings, co- based, and transformative approach
Government of India announces mers’ level, compared to well managed 447, May 2024]
minimum support prices (MSPs) for 22 conditions under scientific supervi- make use of the scheme of distribution
commodities. Government also procures sion. This shows that there exists a large of soil health cards of Government of
wheat and rice at procurement prices for untapped potential to enhance farm pro- India for their benefi ts. Products such
Missed a copy !!!
maintaining buffer stock to meet exigen- ductivity in the country. as neem-coated urea, sulphur-coated For Digital Edition of this month’s issue & all other past issues
cies and requirement of public distri- urea, nano-fertilisers, slow-release N
bution system (PDS). Punjab, Madhya Changing weather patterns fertilisers and nitrifi cation inhibitors Visit www.hpicindia.com
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Indian agriculture sector has been have been reported to enhance nitro- PDF copies available for download
contribute more than 90% of wheat to facing enormous challenges of chang- gen-use effi ciency. If a farmer makes Register Now
the central pool. Procurement of wheat in ing patterns of temperature and weather use of fertilisers sensibly, the chances Contact: For Subscription : Mrs. Usha S. - usha@hpicindia.com
2022-23 was down by 56.6% compared due to climatic change; deterioration of leaching of nitrate nitrogen into the For Advertising : Mr. Vijay Raghavan - vijay@hpicindia.com

192 Chemical Weekly July 9, 2024 Chemical Weekly July 9, 2024 193

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