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AGROCHEMICALS

AGROCHEMICALS

Agriculture remains the principal source of livelihood for the majority of the population in India and agrochemicals (Chemical fertilizers and pesticides) contribute significantly to its growth. However, use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticide has drastically increased several folds since the Green Revolution.India is now one of the leading producers of agrochemicals in the world. But non-scientific and excessive application of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides damages not only the environment and life of agricultural land but also have entered into the food chain thereby affecting plant, human, and animal health. In order to reduce the negative impact on the ecological dynamics, use of fertilisers and pesticides should be reduced and sustainable alternatives should be explored.

Current State of Synthetic Fertiliser and Pesticide Usage in India

Fertilisers: During FY20, India consumed about 61 million tonnes of fertiliser, of which 55% was urea, in FY21, this figure is estimated to have risen to 65 million tonnes. Currently, the fertiliser production of the country is 42-45 million tonnes, and imports are at around 18 million tonnes.

Pesticides: Pesticides are regulated in India through the Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971. Insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicides are examples of well-known pesticides. The Indian pesticides market reached a value of around INR 212 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach INR 320 Billion by 2027.

Issues Associated with Chemical Fertilisers and Pesticides

• Inappropriate Use of Fertilisers: 292 out of the 525 districts (56%) in the country account for 85% of its fertiliser use. In addition, the ratio of consumption of fertiliser has been skewed towards urea. Since, there are no restrictions on who can buy subsidised fertiliser, or on how much they can buy, overuse of fertilisers in cultivation is increased, as well as the urea is getting diverted to other industries (like dairy, textile, paint, fisheries, etc.)
• Biomagnification: The chemicals used in the synthetic fertilisers contain highly toxic substances resulting in accumulation of toxic substances (biomagnification) in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain deteriorating their health.
• Creating Dead Zones: Chemical fertilisers contain phosphates, nitrates, when left unused in soil can run off into coastal waters, lakes and streams, resulting in eutrophication ( addition of excessive amounts of nutrients).
• Deteriorating Soil Health: Agrochemicals overuse can contribute to soil acidification, thereby reducing the content of organic matter (humus content) stunting plant growth and even leading to the release of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Solutions for Chemical Fertilisers and Pesticides

• Inclusion of Bio-Fertilizers: Use of biofertilizers (like Rhizobium) should be promoted as they are cost effective, eco-friendly and when they are required in bulk can be generated at the farm itself. They increase crop yield up to 10-40% and fix nitrogen up to 40-50 Kg.
• Ensuring Year-Round Ground Cover: In erosion-prone regions, farmers can plant cover crops or perennial species to prevent periods of bare ground on farm fields when the soil (and the soil and nutrients it contains) are most susceptible to erosion and loss into waterways.
• Crop Audit and Farmer Awareness: Panchayat level crop audit can be conducted by experts from time to time to trace the content of fertilisers and pesticides. Also, multiple awareness programmes are needed to inform farmers about proportionate use of fertiliser and pesticide.
• Towards Organic Farming: A slow but significant shift towards chemical-free agriculture is required, as well as promoting natural and organic methods like using manure, crop rotation, intercropping, biological pest control, which consumes less energy, reduces nitrogen runoff induced pollution, and is a frontline fighter to tackle global warming.