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Sustainable Food Systems in India

1. The Need for Sustainable Food Systems

A sustainable food system ensures food security without compromising social, ecological, economic, or cultural foundations. It addresses:

  • Environmental Impact: Reducing degradation caused by conventional agriculture.
  • Social Equity: Ensuring fair distribution and farmer welfare.
  • Health: Promoting diverse, nutritious diets.
  • Economic Viability: Making farming profitable and less risky.

2. Challenges in Current Food Systems

Challenge Impact
Monocultures – Contribute to climate change<br>– Reduce biodiversity<br>– Deplete soil health
Inequitable Distribution – Surplus production coexists with hunger
Health Issues – Limited dietary diversity leads to obesity, diabetes, hypertension
Farmer Distress – High input costs (fertilizers, pesticides)<br>– Declining soil organic carbon<br>– Youth reluctance to pursue farming
Resource Depletion – Punjab & Haryana lost 64.6 million m³ groundwater in 17 years<br>– 70% freshwater used in agriculture<br>– 78% ocean eutrophication from agricultural runoff

3. Origins of Unsustainable Practices

  • Historical Roots: Post-WWII repurposing of explosives (ammonium nitrate) into fertilizers led to industrial-scale monoculture farming.
  • Green Revolution: Focused on high-yield varieties (wheat, paddy) in Punjab/Haryana, promoting chemical-intensive practices.
  • Vicious Cycle: Industrial agriculture → greenhouse gas emissions (26% of global total) → climate change → erratic weather → crop failure → increased chemical use → further degradation.

4. Principles of Sustainable Food Systems

  • Ecological Sustainability: Regenerative practices, soil carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation.
  • Economic Sustainability: Profitable for farmers, reduced input costs.
  • Social Sustainability: Equitable access, preservation of cultural knowledge (e.g., seed saving).
  • Health Focus: Diverse crops for improved nutrition.

5. Examples of Sustainable Practices in India

  • Bhaskar Save (Gujarat): Natural farming
  • Shripad Dabholkar (Maharashtra): Prayog Parivar
  • Subhash Palekar: Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)
  • Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF): Large-scale transition supported by training and institutions.

6. Policy and Institutional Support

  • NITI Aayog Initiatives: "Doubling farmer incomes," "Vocal for Local"
  • Organic Farming: India has 29% of global organic farmers, but policies are uncoordinated.
  • Challenges:
    • Subsidies still favor chemical fertilizers.
    • Lack of financial safety nets for farmers transitioning to natural methods.
    • Need for mentoring networks (experienced farmers guiding others).

7. Way Forward: Multi-Level Transition

Level Action Required
Farm Level – Adopt polyculture<br>– Seed saving<br>– Organic fertilizers/pesticides<br>– Soil carbon enhancement
Governance Level – Financial incentives<br>– Training programs<br>– Policy support for natural farming
Consumer Level – Awareness of sourcing<br>– Support for local/diverse foods

8. Data Snapshot: India’s Food System

  • 55.3% land under agriculture.
  • Largest producer of milk, pulses, spices.
  • Major exporter of rice, wheat, sugar.
  • Imports edible oil.
  • 94% of mammalian biomass is livestock; only 6% is wild.

Exam Tip

Focus on the critique of industrial agriculture (monocultures, resource depletion, farmer distress) and the principles of sustainable food systems (ecological health, equity, diversity). Understand key initiatives like ZBNF and APCNF, and be prepared to discuss policy measures (e.g., NITI Aayog schemes) and the need for multi-level transitions. Use data (e.g., GHG contributions, water usage) to substantiate arguments. Always link challenges to solutions emphasizing scalability and inclusivity.

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