‘Yield’ can’t be the Sole Indicator for Agriculture

The ongoing emphasis on maximizing agricultural yields in India, measured in kg/hectare, is being questioned as experts advocate for a broader approach that encompasses nutritional value, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. The need for a paradigm shift is highlighted by declining micronutrient densities and the adverse impacts of climate change on food security.

The Yield-Centric Approach

• Historical Focus on Yield: Since independence, India has prioritized yield to ensure food security for its growing population. However, this narrow focus has often overlooked other crucial agricultural inputs like water, nutrition, and labor.
• Micronutrient Deficiencies: High-yielding varieties of rice and wheat have resulted in significant declines in essential micronutrients, with zinc levels dropping by 33% and iron by 27%. This nutritional deficit has led to widespread stunting and anemia among children in India.
• Economic Misconceptions: The belief that higher yields automatically increase farmers’ income is flawed. With diminishing returns on fertilizers and a singular focus on yields, farmers face rising costs without proportional income gains, necessitating a reassessment of agricultural strategies.

Biodiversity and Resilience Challenges

• Loss of Biodiversity: The quest for high-yielding varieties has led to a significant loss of agricultural biodiversity, including the disappearance of over 104,000 rice varieties. This loss undermines resilience against climate-related shocks like floods and droughts.
• Decline of Nutritional Crops: As rice and wheat cultivation expands, the area dedicated to nutritious coarse cereals, such as millets, has decreased. This shift threatens dietary diversity and the overall nutritional quality of the average Indian diet.
• Intercropping Benefits: Research shows that practices like intercropping can enhance farm income and nutritional output over time, suggesting a need for diverse crop combinations that can optimize both yield and resilience.

Shaping Better Agricultural Indicators

• Multi-Ministry Collaboration: Agricultural success metrics should involve multiple ministries, including Health, Water, and Environment, to reflect the interconnectedness of food systems and health outcomes.
• Focus on Nutritional and Environmental Indicators: New indicators should include nutritional output per hectare and assess soil health, water-use efficiency, and biodiversity. Initiatives like the ‘Saagu Baagu’ project are steps toward improving sustainable practices.
• Comprehensive Assessment Metrics: Beyond simple yield measurements, a ‘Landscape Diversity Score’ and income diversification metrics can provide a fuller picture of agricultural resilience, helping regions withstand economic and ecological challenges.

Practice Question 

Q. Critically evaluate the limitations of yield-centric agricultural policies in India and propose a multi-faceted approach to enhance nutritional security, biodiversity, and sustainability in the agricultural sector.