UNFAO Report: Transforming Agri-food Systems

Context: A report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) revealed the enormous hidden expenses of worldwide agrifood systems, exceeding a remarkable $10 trillion.

Key Aspects of the UNFAO Report on Transforming Agri-food Systems

In India

• In countries with middle-level income, such as India, these expenses amount to almost 11% of their GDP.
  • This results in increased poverty, environmental degradation, and health issues, including malnutrition and unhealthy eating habits.
• The report attributes these rising costs to “unsustainable standard operations and practices.”
• It emphasises the necessity to overhaul agricultural and food systems, advocating for a transition to multi-cropping systems.
  • Such a change could safeguard the welfare of farmers, enhance nutritional benefits for communities, and have a beneficial effect on environmental health.

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Unsustainable Standard Operations and Practices

• The impacts of intensive agriculture, particularly in India, are multifaceted and largely detrimental. The shift towards mono-cropping and chemically intensive farming, driven by technological advancements, has had several negative consequences:
  • Dependency on HYV Seeds: High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, primarily of wheat and paddy, now make up over 70% of India’s agricultural output. This reliance on HYV seeds and chemical fertilisers has eroded seed sovereignty and weakened Indigenous knowledge systems.
  • Nutritional Compromise: The focus on these crops has compromised the nutritional diversity of the food supply, moving away from a range of crops like pulses and millets to monocultures.
  • Environmental Impact: Intensive agriculture practices have led to ecological disasters, including excessive groundwater extraction and degradation of soil health.
  • Financial Burden on Farmers: These practices have also increased the debt burden among agricultural households, as they require significant investment in seeds, chemicals, and water.
  • Crop Diversity Decline: There has been a significant shift from diverse crop varieties to monoculture plantations, reducing agricultural biodiversity.

The Impact of Government Policies on Agricultural Diversity in India

• The crops that are being favoured in this system are primarily rice and wheat, largely because these are included in the Public Distribution System (PDS) of the central government.
• The area under cultivation for rice and wheat has increased substantially over the years.
• Additionally, other government-supported crops like sugarcane (which is water-intensive) and arecanut also receive attention.
  • However, crops like jowar, bajra, ragi, maize, and barley, which are more sustainable and less resource-intensive, receive much less attention as they constitute less than 1% of total foodgrain procurement.

Benefits of Crop Diversification

• Restoration of Degraded Land and Soil: Crop diversification can play a crucial role in rejuvenating deteriorated land and improving soil health.
• Advantages of Millets: Millets, with yields comparable to rice and wheat, offer several benefits.
  • They are nutritious, thrive in semi-arid conditions, reduce groundwater depletion, require minimal inputs, and contribute to a varied diet.
• Multi-Cropping Systems: In Karnataka, the practice known as ‘akkadi saalu’ exemplifies diversified agriculture.
  • It involves intercropping various crops like legumes, pulses, oilseeds, along with trees and shrubs.

Transition Strategies for Farmers

• Shifting Farming Practices: Farmers can gradually move from chemical-intensive farming to non-pesticide management and eventually to natural farming methods. This progression can significantly lower input costs.
• Incorporating Livestock and Poultry: Diversification can also include integrating livestock and poultry farming, providing additional income sources and enhancing farm sustainability.

About United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

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