The shift of agriculture from subsistence agriculture to use of agrochemicals in the mid-20th century was a mixed-blessing, not a “curse-in-disguise” for humanity.
Agrochemicals refer to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. With the use of agrochemicals, a substantial increase in the quantity of food production was observed; however, the changes in nutritional quality were also felt and complained about by older generations. The excessive use of agrochemicals, t ha t d rove the “Green Revolution”, without providing adequate carbon source also led to reduced soil fertility and it is getting affected adversely even today. We are losing arable land at the rate of 10 million hectares per year globally, and in these agrochemicals have played a major role. It is evident that a plateau has reached to improve the crop yield through agrochemicals. But on the other hand, agrochemicals have an adverse effect on beneficial microorganisms and earthworms that are very useful in renewing the natural fertility of the soil.
Higher uses of agrochemicals also require frequent irrigation. This requirement of agrochemicals has already put severe pressure on the ground and surface waters over the past years; with this the shortage of water is expected to affect at least 52 percent of the global population by 2050. Widespread use of fertilizers and chemical pesticides is now a necessity for the growth of high yielding hybrids. Overuse of pesticides has also led to the development of pest resistance against several economically important crop pests. The practices that became vogue in the mid-20th century have raised sustainability issues for agriculture itself, humans, cattle, and the environment including soil, water and air. According to United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 3 million people are suffering from ‘acute pesticide poisoning’ and approximately 10 to 20 thousand people die every year because of this, in the developing countries
This story is from the January - February 2019 edition of Business Of Agriculture.
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This story is from the January - February 2019 edition of Business Of Agriculture.
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