The Ideology of Sustainable Agriculture & its Need

In an interaction with Industry Outlook, Harish discusses the impact of climate change on Indian agriculture, highlighting strategies such as crop diversification, efficient water management, and precision farming for resilience. Harish is a seasoned business leader with 27+ years of experience, excelling in multicultural environments and international business. Previously COO of the Farm Division and President & CEO of China Operations at Mahindra Group, he now spearheads Mahindra Swaraj Tractors, driving international operations and business strategies globally.

How is climate change impacting Indian agriculture, and what adaptive strategies can be implemented to mitigate these effects?

Climate change poses a significant threat to Indian agriculture, with wide-ranging impacts on crop productivity, farmer incomes, and overall economic stability. India's diverse agro-climatic zones are experiencing these effects vividly. For instance, last year in Punjab, a temperature rise of 3-4°C above average before the wheat harvest led to a 10-15% decrease in productivity. In Maharashtra, unseasonal rains caused a 5-10% loss in export-quality grapes, forcing farmers to sell at Rs 40/kg, down from Rs 80/kg in previous years. In Orissa, delayed rains created drought-like conditions, followed by unexpected rainfall that damaged up to 70% of the paddy crop in some districts.

Research forecasts significant reductions in the productivity of rice, wheat, maize, and mustard by 2050 due to climate change, with losses ranging from 2% to 5%. This is concerning, considering the rising food demand. By 2050, India might lose 450,000 sq km of land suitable for rice cultivation, necessitating crop diversification and resulting in an estimated 2.8% loss in GDP owing to climate-induced changes.

To mitigate these impacts, several adaptive strategies can be implemented. Farmers should be encouraged to grow drought-resistant and heat-tolerant varieties. Efficient water management systems, such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, can optimize water use and support crops during erratic weather conditions. Continuous research to develop new crop varieties that can withstand extreme weather conditions is crucial. Government policies should prioritize subsidies for climate-resilient farming practices, insurance schemes for crop loss due to extreme weather, and incentives for adopting sustainable practices.

What is sustainable agriculture, and what practices are essential for its success?

Sustainable Agriculture is a holistic approach that helps meet the needs of current food needs without jeopardizing the future by restraining the exploitation of natural resources. It is also a way to support the achievement of global objectives, like the Sustainable development goals and zero hunger.

Currently, we are using almost one-third of the planet’s surface to produce food, but by 2050, we will require almost double the food we need today. So, with land acreage remaining the same, the only way to meet future food needs would be to enhance productivity. 

Today our conventional methods of farming use almost 1300 litres of water to produce one kilogram of rice. Isn’t that too much water consumption to produce a small quantity of food grain? So, we must adapt to new techniques of agriculture that help save water consumption.

Broadly Sustainable agriculture entails generating more high-calorie crops and growing more crops per drop by using less water while protecting soil health and reducing emissions. Sustainable agriculture necessitates adjustments in agriculture practices, cropping patterns, and technology. Techniques like Direct sowing of Rice (DSR), Soil conservation in tillage by achieving multiple operations in a single pass of a tractor, and advanced post-harvest management techniques can contribute towards sustainable development.

Along with this, Government support structures also need restructuring to promote sustainable techniques over resource-intensive cultivation. Making sustainable agriculture visible by integrating data collection on sustainable agriculture practices into national and state-level agriculture data systems is critical. By implementing these practices, sustainable agriculture can successfully ensure food security, environmental health, and economic viability for future generations.

How do mechanization and precision farming contribute to sustainable agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture is broadly defined as the conservation and efficient utilization of resources for future use and present requirements. Both mechanization and precision farming contribute to sustainable agriculture by improving efficiency, optimizing resource usage, enhancing crop management, and reducing environmental impact.

Mechanization can ensure uniformity in tasks such as planting, watering, and harvesting, leading to consistent crop quality and less soil degradation. Additionally, precision in operations allows modern machinery to be calibrated to apply the right amount of inputs—seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides reducing waste while enhancing crop health.

Sustainability practices in precision farming include reduced chemical use, as targeted application techniques reduce runoff and contamination, and water conservation, where precision irrigation systems deliver water directly to plant roots, significantly reducing water usage and promoting conservation.

Precision farming improves data-driven decision-making through soil and crop monitoring, where sensors and drones provide real-time data on soil conditions, crop health, and growth stages, allowing precise interventions.

Advanced forecasting tools help farmers plan activities according to weather conditions, reducing crop loss risks. Variable Rate Technology (VRT) facilitates customized application, ensuring each part of the field receives the right amount of water, nutrients, and pesticides, leading to cost savings by applying inputs only where needed and reducing environmental impacts.

How Can Soil Health and Water Management Practices Improve the Sustainability of Indian Agriculture?

Improving soil health and water management practices is crucial for enhancing the sustainability of Indian agriculture as well as our food security and nutrition.

The quality of soil in India has been deteriorating rapidly due to overuse, poor management, and pollution which led to deterioration in soil health and productivity. According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Family Welfare, Government of India, over 50% of Indian soils are deficient in nitrogen, 49% in phosphorus, and 48% in potassium, which are essential for crop growth. Furthermore, the absence of these substances is also making our food nutrient-deficient.

Improved soil structure and fertility can lead to increased crop yields and quality. Healthy soil can also absorb and retain more water, minimizing the need for irrigation and improving water use efficiency. 

Water scarcity has also become a major challenge for Indian agriculture due to changing rainfall patterns, inadequate irrigation systems, and inefficient water use. According to a report by the Central the Water Commission, India is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, with per capita water availability projected to fall below 1,400 cubic meters by 2025.

Despite this, currently only around 11% of the net irrigated area in India uses efficient micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems, despite their potential to save water by up to 50-70% as per data provided by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. Therefore, water management is crucial for sustaining Indian Agriculture.

What steps is Swaraj taking to prepare for the future of sustainable agriculture?

Swaraj is designing tractors that promote water conservation and sustainability through advanced mechanization. Key features such as optimized torque, traction, speed, lift capacity, tire size, and front reaction are tailored to facilitate the use of implements like subsoilers, superseders, split rotavators, and row crop tires. Moreover, advanced transmission systems are being developed to enhance the efficiency and reliability of agricultural machinery, boosting overall farm productivity.

The recently introduced Naya Swaraj range is equipped to handle heavy and modern implements with ease, meeting the demands of contemporary agriculture. This new range incorporates the latest features and cutting-edge technology, elevating mechanization in Indian agriculture and empowering farmers to achieve higher yields with reduced effort. By enhancing the core values of power and reliability, Swaraj is preparing for future agricultural mechanization needs.

To support efficient farming practices in inter row operations and regions with challenging terrains and soil conditions, Swaraj has launched the lightweight and compact Swaraj Target series. Additionally, the company continues to invest in technological advancements to enable more efficient and sustainable farming practices.