The development of agrochemicals in much less harmful and more secure versions must needed for transition in the direction of sustainable agricultural practices
While agrochemicals have performed a critical role in expanding agricultural productivity, their overuse has led about environmental degradation, soil depletion, and issues over human health. Climate change deepens those challenges, as growing temperatures increase pest resistance, regulate soil nutrient cycles, and growth the frequency of plant diseases. This demands a essential shift in how agrochemicals are advanced, applied, and included into sustainable farming practices.
In this context, the experts spoke on the subject, ‘Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change and its Impact on Agrochemicals’ at the 5th consultation of the second edition of AgroChem Summit 2024 prepared by the Indian Chemical News in New Delhi on December 13, 2024.
The session was moderated by Murari Mohan Jha, Editor, Indian Chemical News.
Sharing his thoughts on the effect of climate change and occurring trends in agrochemicals, Mithilesh Kumar, Associate Director, Accenture Technology informed, “The moment we’ve extreme rain or departure in summer patterns, the agrochemical enterprises are challenged with two things. Number one, how can we clearly are expecting the seasonality of the need due to the fact you do now not genuinely predict the rain and we are nonetheless a totally water based economy and in terms of land additionally. however, there is lots of guessing and that really puts a lots of strain and uncertainty into how you’ll absolutely plan your crop cycle and therefore, how can you plan the production and sale.
“The second factor is the concentrate on yield but I would like to add that they needs to be focusing point on nutrients as well. We have seen a shift in the climate pattern. Taking an instance of one of the customers, we’ve worked for in Australia, where there was a lacking scenario and they were pretty lots guidance at an stock however get access was tough because of working capital troubles.”
“When it comes to genuinely promoting the usage of biopesticides, until there are incentives given to the farmers, so that they will not roll up their sleeves. In Canada, they provide farmers the loan with flexibility to pick out their price phrases. As your yield shifts, you have the flexibility to adjust that. With the Indian agriculture system facing sure demanding situations, the farm robotics enterprises can play a crucial role. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) can do miracles. BASF is doing a number of those in Germany and Mexico where you have got sensors positioned to honestly apprehend if the color of the leaf has a certain texture. If positive spot has gotten light yellow or light crimson, it’ll without delay point out the nitrogen or different nutrient deficiency. Also, incorporated solutions such as robotics can play a vital role in locating out the particular issue areas in the field, therefore restricting application of agrochemical sprays. With no need to cover the whole crop area, it aid in improving the use.”
Prof. Baishnab Charan Tripathy, J. C. Bose National Fellow, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University stated, “Changing weather patterns were visible in advance also and it will happen again and again. previously it was about the minor modifications however this has now definitely long gone too far as we have almost destroyed 20% of soil health, and a whole lot of water reserves except the burning of fossil fuel.
“The carbon dioxide iskept in the tree trunks for decades as carbohydrates and for that reason have become the sink for C02 however with deforestation and forest fires, the identical is being released back into the environment. This has changed the climate patterns and brought about global warming. To deal with the same, there are vegetation that could tolerate excessive temperature and use less water including millet, maize and other C4 crops.
“We need to nurture them as opposed to awaiting the improvement of genetically engineered crops. We need to work on these naturally developing crops for a better future.
“It is the period to shift to biodegradable pesticides as these do not remain within the environment for long. We can layout better pesticides of the future. Another is development in fertilizers and incorporation of bio-fertilizers which may be manufactured by agrochemical enterprises as well. The use of urea overly would suggest its flow in the atmosphere as greenhouse gases, this makes it more worst than carbon dioxide.
“Besides the judicious use of fertilizers, the government can offer incentives to farmers to promote excellent agriculture practices. Urea is probably a touch cheaper and bio-fertilizers a bit highly-priced but with a bit financial encouragement, many farmers may undertake the newer alternatives.
“Equally vital is growing the vegetation inside the right environment. For instance, there may be no need for growing rice in Punjab where there is shortage of water. Government have to adjust this issue,” introduced Prof. Tripathy.
Dr. Shailendra Singh, Chief Operating Officer – Agribusiness, Zydex Industries Pvt. Ltd. Stated, “When it comes to the factor of sustainability, in many instances a number of people have specific perspectives about the agrochemicals, few calling those as saviors and others describing them in negative light. But I suppose it is the technological development of agrochemicals that has added the scenario wherein we’re net exporter of almost quite a few food items.
“At the same time, somewhere that is also influencing the climate and climate change. Few products which fall in the PGR or PGPR classes are actually help in dealing with the strain.
“It is not best the pest control however with the converting climatic conditions, you are seeing new weeds are arising. Now in case you don’t control them, your manufacturing is going to be down appreciably. Therefore, a balanced and really appropriate use of agrochemicals is a should. To work in the direction of removal of the dangerous factors, we can bring in greater safer chemical compounds, maybe we are able to bring more organic oriented chemical compounds.”
“I keep on meeting numerous scientists and authorities extension people and you’ll be amazed to understand that many of them nonetheless endorse monocrotophos. Five decades later now, there aren’t any protocols as such getting used. The industry is constantly working on enhancing the situation. If you actually take a look at the extension network, which presently uses in the Indian agriculture scenario, I would say that 70% of credible facts goes through the industry. Among this activity, industry also does employment generation with about three lakh plus people used for the extension, giving right data to the farmer in his fields and home.
“Only challenge is that regularly these workers are skilled for particular product or a particular scenario and won’t be capable of giving a holistic solution in a more complicated situation. Therefore, a little extra effort is needed by the industry to provide the holistic information and the present day updates that would assist.”
AgroChem Summit 2024 themed ‘Capturing Value Through Collaboration, Innovation & Disruption’ changed into supported through the industry associations which includes ACFI, BASAI, Croplife India, CCFI and PMFAI. The Gold Partners of the event have been Corteva Agriscience and Godrej Agrovet. The Associate Partner was Bayer Limited.
