Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security

A Global Perspective

Acharya Balkrishna, Acharya Balkrishna

• Publisher: Apple Academic Press
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781000485936
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Tecnología e ingeniería
• Subtopic: Agricultura sostenible

Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security: A Global Perspective takes an analytical approach to issues related to current agricultural practices. It looks at global geographical data and key statistical reports to aid readers in comparing, understanding, and making agricultural decisions.

The book is divided into chapters with each dealing with a specific problem and its solutions, keeping in mind the context of geographical variations. The book first provides a historical overview of the socioeconomic importance of agriculture around the world along with a discussion on threats and opportunities in the agricultural sector. It goes on to explore the importance of water sources for agriculture, including rain-fed agriculture practices, water harvesting techniques, sustainable irrigation practices, and irrigation water management. Guidance on the usage of agrochemicals and solutions to their detrimental effects from non-standardized consumption is also addressed. The volume also includes a discussion on organic farming methods, certification standards, and key restrictions in crop production.

Part 2 goes on to examine postharvest management practices used in different geographical areas along with analysis on the role of technology and obstacles in implementation. The commercialization of agriculture through food processing, branding, and retailing is reviewed along with suggestions on available marketing platforms and promotional aspects. It goes on to outline the situational analysis of food adulteration as well as norms and regulations of food security at the international level. Lastly, the concept of biofortification is explained along with methods and strategies of biofortified food production. The impact of biofortification over socioeconomic development of a specific country is also analyzed.

Written for a wide audience, this volume is a thoughtful overview and analysis of the increasingly necessary topic of sustainable agriculture for food security and will be of interest to faculty and research scholars, working professionals, social activists, policymakers, farmers, and institutions and organizations involved in agricultural education, research, and development.

Foreword 1

Agriculture has endured through time and has ensured the survival of humans and animals on planet earth. But beyond the assumption, from the past few decades, it took a decimate turn, and now currently, it is grievously distressed worldwide. On realizing the situation, it can be clearly depicted that we are heading towards the path of global food crisis. Agriculture practices getting followed globally are negatively affecting both the physical and biological parameters of our planet. From different agricultural surveys, I observed that traditional agricultural practices are no more in use and rather have been replaced by new technological interventions without giving a second thought about their impact on our environment. But in the case of India, I experienced that our roots are still intact, and we are following our tradition and culture in the agriculture field also; and along with this, we have adapted new technological advancements to meet the pace of growing food demand. Sustainable development with ecological balance has always remained our first priority, and for this reason, several acts and policies have been initiated by the current Government in India to support the farmer to practice organic farming and to initiate several other ventures to attain our objectives.

I would like to thank Acharya Balkrishna Ji for his tremendous contributions to human welfare. His efforts for boosting the social, economic, and financial status of farmers are highly applaudable. His digitalized agriculture approach and the motto of ‘Jaivik Kheti, Samridh Kisan’ and ‘Swastha Bharat’ has the potential to benefit farmers and has already taken a step to improve the agriculture system. Apart from his practical approach, I would also like to congratulate him for drafting this phenomenal piece of work titled Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security: A Global Perspective. As I believe that, a documented piece plays a pivotal role in spreading awareness in every corner of the world. This work will surely help the farmers by introducing new advancements in this field and would help the global audience to understand the legitimate gaps acting as barriers in attaining the goal. I convey my wishes to Acharya Ji for the publication and hope that farmers and other countrymen will benefit from his endeavors in the future also.

—Narendra Singh Tomar

Honorable Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare,

Govt. of India

Foreword 2

The agriculture sector ensures the livelihood of the global population. Need of the hour has emerged to take appropriate measures to ensure food security. Censorious analysis revealed that primarily: reduction in cultivation cost, value-added organic farming produce, and group farming should be more prioritized. The digitalized revolutionary approach will be of great help to farmers. New policies and strategies need to be adopted by the governments of respective countries to improve the farmer’s condition and overall agriculture system.

Pujya Acharya Balkrishna Ji has initiated new agricultural ventures over the past few years for increasing organic farming produce for the betterment of farmers. Training and awareness programs organized by him has benefited several farmers and provided them all the required information for initiating organic agriculture system in different parts of the world. When I read his recent work on agriculture, a document title Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security: A Global Perspective, I felt that it not only updated my knowledge on new technological interventions in the field but also helped me to gain an insight into the agricultural economic status of different countries as well. I would like to congratulate Acharya Balkrishna Ji for his marvelous contribution to the global farming community.

—Sanjay Agarwal

Secretary,

Department of Agriculture, cooperation & farmers welfare,

Govt of India, New Delhi

Foreword 3

Present-day agricultural operations and location-specific modern farming practices differ greatly from traditional agricultural systems, which remained in practice till a few decades ago. The introduction of modern technologies has eased off several manual operations. However, various astounding facts of the modern farming system, which remained unattended, reflect a contrasting scenario. Multiple crops are being practiced in the field with the help of agrochemicals, hybrid seeds, and other advanced techniques, and these are getting adapted to sustain the needs of growing populations. Still, a major section of the human global population is suffering from micro-nutrient deficiency and other related issues. Technological advancements have helped in improving the production and quality of food to support the healthy livelihood of individuals in the country. In comparison to other developed/ developing countries, the condition is slightly better in India. However, it requires major transformation globally to ensure a healthy, nutrient-enriched, and adequate diet for one and all. In order to improve the condition of our present agricultural system, certain prominent measures need to be adopted. The use of modern technologies and tools would improve the efficiency of the agricultural system and raise the status of the farming community.

I compliment Acharya Balkrishna Ji for his significant contributions in the field of agriculture. ‘Patanjali Farmer Samridhi Program’ initiated by him has trained a large number of farmers in India and apprised them of new farming techniques. Initiatives taken up in the agriculture supply chain management are benefiting farmers as mediators between the producers and consumers have been removed. His book titled Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security: A Global Perspective will provide important information about the agricultural systems. I hope the book will be useful for farmers, researchers, academicians, and policymakers both in India and abroad.

I wish him all the success and appreciate his efforts for the betterment of society, especially in the domain of agriculture.

—T. Mohapatra

Director General, ICAR, New Delhi, India

Preface

With the growth and development of human civilization, the need for sustenance has also taken evolutionary shape. But, despite technological advancements and scientific experiments in the food industry, we humankind could not reach a unanimous solution to the problems of decline in agriculture career, mono-cropping, resources limitation, food safety, and insecurity. Currently, the world’s food systems are facing the challenge of feeding the enormous population of the world. More than 800 million world’s population is not getting enough they need to live an active, healthy life. In fact, one in every nine people goes to bed hungry each night. The statistical data about the sustainability of food are devastating. The world is in utmost requisite of changes in food practices and production. I get deeply disheartened looking at the poor socio-economic status of farmers who are diligently working to make our livelihood complacent without seeking any limelight or recognition. It makes me feel even more sadness to know that the ‘Annadata’ is being pushed to end their precious life because of such circumstances.

Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security: A Global Perspective is such an analytical book that speaks volumes on issues related to current agriculture practices. It widely covers global geographical data and key statistical reports to help readers compare, understand, and make decisions in the agricultural field. The book is divided into eleven chapters, each dealing with a specific problem and their solutions, keeping in mind the context of geographical variations. As the book proceeds with Part I, readers will find information on the historical overview and socio-economic importance of agriculture around the world, along with a discussion on threats and opportunities in the agricultural sector. Then, rain-fed agriculture practices for different continents are explored and highlighted with water harvesting technique. The book throws light on various sustainable irrigation practices in a global context and application of irrigation water management. The guidance on the usage of agrochemicals and solutions to their detrimental effects from non-standardized consumption is also jotted down in this book. And then, it elaborates on organic farming methods in the current scenario, certification standards for their product validation, and key restrictions in the concept implication.

Furthermore, in Part II, postharvest management practices prevailing in different continents are discussed with analysis on the role of technology and main obstacles in the implementation of the plan. The need for commercialization of agriculture through food processing, branding, and retailing is also put forth with key suggestions on available marketing platforms and promotional aspects. It goes on to outline the situational analysis of food adulteration as well as norms and regulations of food security at the international level. Also, the concept of biofortification is elucidated with methods and strategies of biofortified food production and its universal acceptance. The impact of biofortification on the socio-economic development of the country is also analyzed. Lastly, the concept of Global food of traceability and virtual farmer’s market is also discussed in detail.

I am much obliged to have the blessings and enlightenment from Param Pujya Yogrishi Swami Ramdev Ji, whose motivational and financial assistance has led us to put efforts on this spiritual path. I would like to appreciate the thoughts and objectives of Mr. Ashish Kumar, Director, Apple Academic Press (AAP), Inc., for publishing with ethics and standards to serve mankind. Also, I am particularly grateful to Dr. Megh Raj Goyal, Senior Editor-in-Chief at AAP, Inc., for his immense support and guidance behind the conceptualization of this book. His constant motivation and direction to our team of researchers and writers have kept their spirit high and thus drafting this precious handbook addressing the need of the hour. Work is ostensibly supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, senior journalists, and Indian farmers. I would like to praise the commendable efforts of my team for rationalizing my ideas into an appealing frame.

Today, our world is in dire need of another agricultural revolution that can be invoked through digital mediums. We, as a world of responsible torchbearers to our future generations, need to change our pernicious agricultural practices and shift towards the ways that boost sustainability as soon as possible.

—Acharya Balkrishna

PART I

Global Agriculture: Fears and Facts

DOI:10.1201/9781003242543-1

CHAPTER 1

Global Perspective of Agriculture Systems: From Ancient Times to the Modern Era

DOI:10.1201/9781003242543-2

ACHARYA BALKRISHNA, GUNJAN SHARMA, NIDHI SHARMA, PAWAN KUMAR, RASHMI MITTAL, and RAZIA PARVEEN

ABSTRACT

The ancient agriculture system has experienced several historical events and has ensured the survival of humans and animals on planet earth till today. Food production by plant cultivation, animal husbandry, food processing has contributed tremendously to human civilization from the past 10,000 years. Agriculture independently first initiated in three places of the world: Mesoamerica, North China, and Africa, and later its roots also started spreading in other regions of the world. On the basis of domestication, agriculture is believed to be initiated around 10,500 and 4,500 years ago, which has led to the emergence of the economy globally. But in the modern era, the definition of agriculture is to produce more and more to justify the needs of the growing population without ensuring its impact on the environment. The aim of the present chapter is to provide a glimpse of agriculture history and its transformation up to modern times, its socio-economic importance for the development of human civilization, and the threats and opportunities associated with it.

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