Modern Agriculture: Its Modern Agriculture: Its Effects on the Effects on the EnvironmentEnvironment

IntroductionIntroduction

Agricultural scientists have arrived at a general Agricultural scientists have arrived at a general consensus that modern agriculture confronts consensus that modern agriculture confronts an environmental crisis. A growing number of an environmental crisis. A growing number of people have become concerned about the people have become concerned about the long-term sustainability of existing food long-term sustainability of existing food production systems. production systems.

Evidence shows that the present Evidence shows that the present capital- and capital- and technology-intensive farmingtechnology-intensive farming systems have systems have been extremely productive and competitive been extremely productive and competitive but they also bring a variety of but they also bring a variety of economic, economic, environmental and social problemsenvironmental and social problems. .

The expansion of The expansion of monoculturesmonocultures

Today, Today, monocultures have increased dramatically monocultures have increased dramatically worldwideworldwide, mainly through the geographical , mainly through the geographical expansion of land devoted to single crops and expansion of land devoted to single crops and year-to-year production of the same crop year-to-year production of the same crop species on the same land.species on the same land.

There are There are political and economic forces political and economic forces iinfluencing the trend to devote large areas to nfluencing the trend to devote large areas to monoculturemonoculture, and in fact such systems are , and in fact such systems are rewardedrewarded by economies of scale and contribute by economies of scale and contribute significantly to the ability of national significantly to the ability of national agricultures to serve international markets.agricultures to serve international markets.

The first wave of environmental The first wave of environmental problems problems

A number of "A number of "ecological diseasesecological diseases" have been " have been associated with the intensification of food production. associated with the intensification of food production. They can be grouped into They can be grouped into two categoriestwo categories: : diseases diseases of the ecotypeof the ecotype, which include erosion, loss of soil , which include erosion, loss of soil fertility, depletion of nutrient reserves, salinization fertility, depletion of nutrient reserves, salinization and alkalinization, pollution of water systems, loss of and alkalinization, pollution of water systems, loss of fertile croplands to urban development;fertile croplands to urban development;

Diseases of the biocoenosisDiseases of the biocoenosis, which include loss of , which include loss of crop, wild plant, and animal genetic resources, crop, wild plant, and animal genetic resources, elimination of natural enemies, pest resurgence and elimination of natural enemies, pest resurgence and genetic resistance to pesticides, chemical genetic resistance to pesticides, chemical contamination, and destruction of natural control contamination, and destruction of natural control mechanisms. mechanisms.

The The loss of yields due to pests in many crops loss of yields due to pests in many crops (reaching about 20-30% in most crops), despite the (reaching about 20-30% in most crops), despite the substantial increase in the use of pesticides (about substantial increase in the use of pesticides (about 500 million kg of active ingredient500 million kg of active ingredient worldwide) worldwide) is a is a symptom of the environmental crisis affecting symptom of the environmental crisis affecting agricultureagriculture. .

The The environmentalenvironmental (impacts on wildlife, (impacts on wildlife, pollinators, natural enemies, fisheries, water pollinators, natural enemies, fisheries, water and development of resistance) and and development of resistance) and social costssocial costs (human poisonings and illnesses) of pesticide (human poisonings and illnesses) of pesticide use reach about $8 billion each year in US only.use reach about $8 billion each year in US only.

The The fertilizerfertilizer that is not recovered by the crop that is not recovered by the crop ends up in the environment, mostly in surface ends up in the environment, mostly in surface water or in ground water. water or in ground water. Nitrate contamination Nitrate contamination of aquifers of aquifers is widespread and in dangerously is widespread and in dangerously high levels in many rural regions of the world. high levels in many rural regions of the world. In the US, it is estimated that more than 25% of In the US, it is estimated that more than 25% of the drinking water wells contain nitrate levels the drinking water wells contain nitrate levels above the 45 parts per million safety standard. above the 45 parts per million safety standard.

The first wave of environmental The first wave of environmental problems…problems…

Such nitrate levels are hazardous to human Such nitrate levels are hazardous to human health and studies have linked nitrate uptake health and studies have linked nitrate uptake to methaemoglobinemia in children and to to methaemoglobinemia in children and to gastric, bladder and oesophageal cancers in gastric, bladder and oesophageal cancers in adults. adults.

It is clear that the It is clear that the first wave of first wave of environmental problemsenvironmental problems is deeply rooted in is deeply rooted in the prevalent socioeconomic system which the prevalent socioeconomic system which promotes monocultures and the use of high promotes monocultures and the use of high input technologies and agricultural practices input technologies and agricultural practices that that lead to natural resource degradationlead to natural resource degradation. .

The first wave of environmental The first wave of environmental problems…..problems…..

The second wave of environmental The second wave of environmental problemsproblems

Despite that awareness of the impacts of modern Despite that awareness of the impacts of modern technologies on the environment increased, as technologies on the environment increased, as we traced pesticides in food chains and crop we traced pesticides in food chains and crop nutrients in streams and aquifiers, there are nutrients in streams and aquifiers, there are stillstill some argue for further intensification to meet some argue for further intensification to meet the requirements of agricultural productionthe requirements of agricultural production. .

Supporters of this concept in favour of the mass Supporters of this concept in favour of the mass level level promotion of bio-technologypromotion of bio-technology as the latest as the latest magic bulletmagic bullet that will revolutionize agriculture that will revolutionize agriculture with products based on natures’ own methods, with products based on natures’ own methods, making farming more environmentally friendly making farming more environmentally friendly and more profitable for the farmer. and more profitable for the farmer.

In fact, such In fact, such biotechnological products will do biotechnological products will do nothing but reinforce the pesticide treadmill in nothing but reinforce the pesticide treadmill in agro-ecosystemsagro-ecosystems, thus legitimizing the , thus legitimizing the concerns that many scientists have expressed concerns that many scientists have expressed regarding the possible regarding the possible environmental risks of environmental risks of genetically engineered organismsgenetically engineered organisms. .

What is ironic is the fact that the bio-revolution What is ironic is the fact that the bio-revolution is being brought forward by the same interests is being brought forward by the same interests (Monsanto, Novartis, DuPont, etc.) (Monsanto, Novartis, DuPont, etc.) that that promoted the first wave of agro-chemically-promoted the first wave of agro-chemically-based agriculturebased agriculture..

The second wave of environmental The second wave of environmental problems……….problems……….

Major environmental risks associated with Major environmental risks associated with genetically modified/engineered (GM) genetically modified/engineered (GM)

cropscrops Corporations want to promote a single product Corporations want to promote a single product

internationally,internationally, thus creating the conditions thus creating the conditions for for genetic uniformity in rural landscapesgenetic uniformity in rural landscapes. However, . However, history has repeatedly shown that a huge area history has repeatedly shown that a huge area planted to a single cultivar is vulnerable to a new planted to a single cultivar is vulnerable to a new types of pathogen or pest.types of pathogen or pest.

The spread of transgenic crops threatensThe spread of transgenic crops threatens crop crop genetic diversity by simplifying cropping systems genetic diversity by simplifying cropping systems and promoting genetic erosion.and promoting genetic erosion.

The transfer of genes from herbicide resistant The transfer of genes from herbicide resistant crops (HRCs) to wild or semi-domesticated crops (HRCs) to wild or semi-domesticated relatives can lead to the relatives can lead to the creation of super weedscreation of super weeds..

Major environmental risks associated Major environmental risks associated with genetically modified/engineered with genetically modified/engineered

crops…crops…

Massive use of Bt toxin in crops can unleash Massive use of Bt toxin in crops can unleash potential negative interactions affecting potential negative interactions affecting ecological processes and non-target organisms. ecological processes and non-target organisms.

It is expected that It is expected that biotechnology will biotechnology will exacerbate the problems of conventional exacerbate the problems of conventional agriculture and by promoting monoculturesagriculture and by promoting monocultures, , which will also undermine ecological methods which will also undermine ecological methods of farming such as rotations and polycultures. of farming such as rotations and polycultures.

SoilSoil ErosionErosion Soil erosion is one form of soil degradation and it Soil erosion is one form of soil degradation and it

is a naturally occurring process on all land. is a naturally occurring process on all land. The The agents of soil erosion are water and windagents of soil erosion are water and wind, each , each contributing a significant amount of soil loss each contributing a significant amount of soil loss each year.year.

Soil erosion may be a slow process that continues Soil erosion may be a slow process that continues relatively unnoticed, or it may occur at an relatively unnoticed, or it may occur at an alarming rate causing serious loss of topsoil. alarming rate causing serious loss of topsoil. The The loss of soil from farmland may be reflected loss of soil from farmland may be reflected in in reduced crop production potential, lower surface reduced crop production potential, lower surface water quality and damaged drainage networks. water quality and damaged drainage networks.

Soil erosion potential is increased Soil erosion potential is increased if the soil has if the soil has no or very no or very little vegetative cover of plants and/or little vegetative cover of plants and/or crop residues. crop residues.

Both sheet and rill erosion are occurring on this field

Conservation MeasuresConservation Measures

Tillage and cropping practicesTillage and cropping practices, as well as , as well as land land management practicesmanagement practices, directly affect the , directly affect the overall soil erosion problem and solutions on a overall soil erosion problem and solutions on a farm.farm.

When When crop rotations or changing tillage crop rotations or changing tillage

practices are not enough to control erosion practices are not enough to control erosion on a on a field, a combination of approaches or more field, a combination of approaches or more extreme measures might be necessary. For extreme measures might be necessary. For example, example, contour plowing, strip cropping, or contour plowing, strip cropping, or terracing may be consideredterracing may be considered. .

Contour PlowingContour Plowing: : fields are plowed fields are plowed along the contours along the contours of the land to help of the land to help reduce soil erosion.reduce soil erosion.

No-till FarmingNo-till Farming

No-till farmingNo-till farming (sometimes called (sometimes called zero zero tillagetillage) is a way of growing crops from ) is a way of growing crops from year to year without disturbing the soil year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage.through tillage.

No-till is an emergent agricultural No-till is an emergent agricultural technique which can increase the amount technique which can increase the amount of water in the soil and decrease erosion. of water in the soil and decrease erosion. It may also increase the amount and It may also increase the amount and variety of life in and on the soil variety of life in and on the soil but may but may require increased herbicide usagerequire increased herbicide usage. .

Intensive agricultureIntensive agriculture especially in industrialised especially in industrialised countries has contributed to environmental countries has contributed to environmental problems such as pollution of surface and problems such as pollution of surface and groundwater with nitrates and pesticides, global groundwater with nitrates and pesticides, global warming, reductions in biodiversity and soil warming, reductions in biodiversity and soil degradation, and virtual monocultures have spread degradation, and virtual monocultures have spread over entire regionsover entire regions..

Organic farmingOrganic farming on the other hand, offers a on the other hand, offers a potentially more sustainable form of production. potentially more sustainable form of production. Organic farming Organic farming is practiced in approximately 100 is practiced in approximately 100 countries of the world and the area is increasingcountries of the world and the area is increasing. . Trade with organic products all over the world is a Trade with organic products all over the world is a growing reality with the major markets being Europe growing reality with the major markets being Europe and North America. and North America.

Global trend in AgricultureGlobal trend in Agriculture

Bangladesh Agriculture at a Glance Total family : 17,600,804

Total farm holding : 15,089,000

Total area : 14.845million hectare

Forest : 2.599 million hectare

Cultivable land : 8.44 million hectare

Cultivable waste : 0.268 million hectare

Current fellow : 0.469 million hectare

Cropping intensity : 175.97%

Single cropped area : 2.851 million hectare

Double cropped area : 3.984 million hectare

Triple cropped area : 0.974 million hectare

Net cropped area : 7.809 million ha

Total cropped area : 13.742 million ha

Contribution of agrl sector to GDP : 23.50%

Contribution of crop sector to GDP : 13.44%

Manpower in agriculture : 48%

Total food crop demand : 23.029 million MT

Total food crop production : 27.787 million MT

Net production : 24.569 million MT

Bangladesh Agriculture at a Glance…………..contd

Characteristics of Bangladesh Characteristics of Bangladesh AgricultureAgriculture

Cropping intensity 179%Cropping intensity 179% Irrigated land 56%Irrigated land 56% Surface water:21% groundwater:79%Surface water:21% groundwater:79% Land-man ratio: .06 haLand-man ratio: .06 ha Mainly subsistence farmingMainly subsistence farming Inadequate agro-processingInadequate agro-processing Non-mechanized farmingNon-mechanized farming Fragmented land/plotsFragmented land/plots Dependence largely on natureDependence largely on nature

Some challengesSome challenges

Rapid shrinkage of agricultural land @1% p.a.Rapid shrinkage of agricultural land @1% p.a. Population growth @1.292% p.a.Population growth @1.292% p.a. Climate change and variationsClimate change and variations Rapid urbanization growth @12% p.a.Rapid urbanization growth @12% p.a. Technology generation (needs expertise, time Technology generation (needs expertise, time

and money)and money) Technology dissemination (needs expertise,Technology dissemination (needs expertise,

time, logistics support)time, logistics support) Alternative livelihoods/rehabilitation programAlternative livelihoods/rehabilitation program

Prospects of AgricultureProspects of Agriculture::

Modern technological knowledge is available Modern technological knowledge is available for reducing yield gapsfor reducing yield gaps

Scope for expanding hybrid technology exists Scope for expanding hybrid technology exists

Prospects for adoption of advanced Prospects for adoption of advanced technology in agriculture are bright technology in agriculture are bright

Potentials for proper utilization of hilly/coastal Potentials for proper utilization of hilly/coastal areas including agro-ecologically areas including agro-ecologically disadvantaged regions exist disadvantaged regions exist

Prospects of Agriculture:Prospects of Agriculture:…..contd…..contd

Export potentials exist for high-value Export potentials exist for high-value cropscrops

Scope for crop diversification, Scope for crop diversification, intensification and value addition to intensification and value addition to agricultural produces agricultural produces

Agriculture sector has capacity to absorb Agriculture sector has capacity to absorb labor force and to generate income labor force and to generate income

Climate Change matters for Climate Change matters for agriculture?agriculture?

Heavily depends on natural rainfall, weather & Heavily depends on natural rainfall, weather & temperature, water level, soil condition etc.temperature, water level, soil condition etc.

Uncontrolled farming environment (flooding, Uncontrolled farming environment (flooding, drought, etc)drought, etc)

Rice based agriculture greatly depends Rice based agriculture greatly depends availability of fresh surface/rain and ground availability of fresh surface/rain and ground waterwater

Seasonal farmingSeasonal farming Lack of stress tolerant varietiesLack of stress tolerant varieties Changed cropping patternChanged cropping pattern

Types of climate change Types of climate change problemsproblems

Sea Level Rise (SLR)Sea Level Rise (SLR) FloodsFloods Riverbank erosion Riverbank erosion DroughtDrought Salinity intrusionSalinity intrusion Loss of homestead, agrl. land and Loss of homestead, agrl. land and

livelihoodslivelihoods Pest infestationPest infestation Land scarcityLand scarcity

Combating Climate Change Combating Climate Change Impact: Impact: AdaptationAdaptation

Stress (flood, drought, submergence, salinity, Stress (flood, drought, submergence, salinity, heat, cold..) tolerant varietiesheat, cold..) tolerant varieties

Short duration cropsShort duration cropsInnovative farming practicesInnovative farming practicesFloating cultivation methodFloating cultivation methodCrop diversificationCrop diversificationChanging/shifting cropping patternChanging/shifting cropping patternAlternative wetting and drying irrigation Alternative wetting and drying irrigation methodsmethods

Continued…Continued…

MitigationMitigation

Coastal green beltCoastal green belt Embankment/DamEmbankment/Dam Tidal River ManagementTidal River Management Early warning and weather forecastingEarly warning and weather forecasting Cyclone sheltersCyclone shelters Crop insuranceCrop insurance Saline tolerant riceSaline tolerant rice

Integrated Pest Management Integrated Pest Management Techniques Techniques

Pesticide Consumption (MT)Pesticide Consumption (MT)

Pesticide consumption (metric tons)

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Source: Department of Plant Protection Wing, Bangladesh

Pesticide consumption has more than doubled in the past decade

World Bank World Bank Research on Research on PesticidesPesticides

Crop composition of the survey

846

430

748

355311

149

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Boro Beans Eggplant Cabbage Potato Mango

Crop

Num

ber

of fa

rms

Pesticide Applications Pesticide Applications Reported by Survey Reported by Survey

RespondentsRespondents

Note: Based on 51 active ingredients and 161 formulations (commercial names)

Number of pesticide applications by WHO classification

Classification Frequency Percent

Extremely hazardous 778 19.12 Moderately hazardous 2383 58.58 Slightly hazardous 305 7.50 Unclassified 602 14.80

Total 4068 100.00

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):

The survey cited 18 applications of Endrin and 40 applications of Heptachlor were cited in the survey.

DDT is still sold in the retail markets.

Use of Protective ClothingUse of Protective Clothing The study found that the use of protective clothing during mixing The study found that the use of protective clothing during mixing

and spraying of pesticides was not a common practice.and spraying of pesticides was not a common practice.

Farmers usually worked in the fields and sprayed pesticides bare Farmers usually worked in the fields and sprayed pesticides bare footed (only 1% reported wearing sandals);footed (only 1% reported wearing sandals);

2% wear gloves while spraying pesticides;2% wear gloves while spraying pesticides;

57% of the farming population cover their head with ‘gamchha’ 57% of the farming population cover their head with ‘gamchha’ while working in the fields;while working in the fields;

8% reportedly wear hats;8% reportedly wear hats;

6% use locally available cotton masks (the cotton mask in use is, 6% use locally available cotton masks (the cotton mask in use is, essentially, an ordinary piece of cloth kept in place by strings essentially, an ordinary piece of cloth kept in place by strings made of cloth; hence quite ineffective);made of cloth; hence quite ineffective);

3% use eye glasses.3% use eye glasses.

Specific Health Effects found in the Specific Health Effects found in the SurveySurvey

Among the most perceptible health problems encountered in Among the most perceptible health problems encountered in the survey,the survey, eye effects, neurological effects (headache, eye effects, neurological effects (headache, dizziness), dermal effects and gastrointestinal tract effects dizziness), dermal effects and gastrointestinal tract effects (vomiting)(vomiting) were the most common.were the most common.

Right after application of pesticides:Right after application of pesticides:

27% of the respondents reported irritation in the eyes27% of the respondents reported irritation in the eyes

33% reported headache/ and dizziness33% reported headache/ and dizziness

14% reported skin irritation14% reported skin irritation

9% reported vomiting9% reported vomiting

Observed Change in Soil, Water Observed Change in Soil, Water and Air Quality after IPM and Air Quality after IPM

adoptionadoption

0

10

20

3040

50

60

70

80

Worse Unchanged Better

Status

Per

cent

Soil quality Water and air quality

Need for Careful Assessment and Need for Careful Assessment and PlanningPlanning

Current projections suggest that the agricultural output of Bangladesh needs to grow many times during the next several decades, as the population of Bangladesh continues to grow and incomes increase.

Bangladesh will have to increase yields from the land currently under cultivation in order to serve the increased demand.

During the past several decades, rising agricultural productivity has been driven by an increased utilization of capital and chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers) and genetic alteration of crops.

The cited increase in the use of toxic chemicals warrant careful assessment of the current situation and experimentation with feasible alternative production systems, for example, Integrated Pest Management/ and organic farming techniques.

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Agriculture is the determining factor for Agriculture is the determining factor for food security as well as pro-poor food security as well as pro-poor development of Bangladesh economydevelopment of Bangladesh economy..

The Problems of agriculture are The Problems of agriculture are multifaceted. So the ways of addressing multifaceted. So the ways of addressing the challenges should be the challenges should be comprehensive, global and participatory comprehensive, global and participatory for sustainable agricultural for sustainable agricultural development.development.

201234.2 million tons

production

200831.9 million ton

production

*Breakeven point

Self sufficiency in food

Increasing productivity & reducing

yield gap:

-Additio

nal inputs & Technological change

Adaptation

Networked & e-Agric

ulture

Post harvest Technology

Changing food habit

Strategy for achieving self-sufficiency in foodFood indicates only staple food

Population Pressure on Population Pressure on Land and Land and DevelopmentDevelopment…..…..

The country has reached a point of maximum The country has reached a point of maximum utilization in terms of potential arable land and utilization in terms of potential arable land and intensity of cropping and the only option left is intensity of cropping and the only option left is to improve the agricultural production through to improve the agricultural production through modernization of agriculture;modernization of agriculture;

a. Wheat Production:a. Wheat Production:Pakistan = 2.1 metric tons per hectarePakistan = 2.1 metric tons per hectareGermany = 6.9 metric tons per hectareGermany = 6.9 metric tons per hectare

b. Corn Production:b. Corn Production:India = 1.6 metric tons per hectareIndia = 1.6 metric tons per hectareU.S. = 7.1 metric tons per hectareU.S. = 7.1 metric tons per hectare

But it is also true that without improving the But it is also true that without improving the human capital such a technological human capital such a technological transformation may not be feasible.transformation may not be feasible.