Clean Energy Revolution For Reforming India’s Agriculture

Context

India stands at a critical juncture where the health of its environment and the sustainability of its agricultural systems are deeply intertwined. As the world faces the escalating impacts of climate change, India’s reliance on fossil fuels and unsustainable agricultural practices poses significant risks to its ecological health and food security. Drastic steps are now essential-not only to restore planetary health but also to ensure the well-being of India’s vast population.

The Urgency for Clean Energy Revolution

India’s Energy Landscape and Its Environmental Toll

• India is the world’s third-largest power market, with energy demand growing at an unparalleled rate of 7–8% per year. Historically, this growth has been powered by fossil fuels, primarily coal, making India responsible for about 8% of global carbon emissions. Continuing on this path would be catastrophic for both India and the planet.
• However, a shift is underway. Economic and climate imperatives have converged: renewable energy is now cheaper than fossil fuels in India-by nearly half-making the transition not just environmentally necessary but also economically logical.

Recent Progress and Ambitious Targets

• India has committed to augmenting renewable energy capacity by 300% by 20301.
• The country aims to connect 500 GW of clean energy by 2030, a target equivalent to the combined capacity of France, Germany, and Italy.
• Recent years have seen a surge in solar and wind installations, with 18.8 GW of new renewable generators connected in just eight months of 2024.
• India is expected to account for almost half of the world’s additional renewable energy capacity additions through 2026.

Unsustainable Agriculture: A Looming Crisis

Current Agricultural Practices and Their Impact

India’s agricultural system, while crucial for food security, is heavily reliant on water-intensive crops, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. These practices have led to:

• Depletion and contamination of water resources
• Degraded soil health and loss of biodiversity
• Increased greenhouse gas emissions and vulnerability to climate shocks

The majority of Indian agriculture remains rainfed, accounting for 60% of net sown area and 40% of total food production. This makes the sector especially vulnerable to erratic rainfall and climate change.

Need for Systemic Change

To restore ecological balance, India’s agricultural production system must transition toward sustainability. This requires:

• Reducing dependency on synthetic inputs
• Adopting climate-resilient and resource-efficient practices
• Diversifying crops and integrating farming systems

Government Initiatives for Sustainable Agriculture

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

The NMSA focuses on enhancing productivity, especially in rainfed areas, through integrated farming, water use efficiency, soil health management, and resource conservation. Key strategies include:

• Improved crop seeds and livestock varieties
• Efficient water and nutrient management
• Promotion of agroforestry and integrated farming systems
• Support for agricultural insurance and credit

Promoting Organic and Natural Farming

• The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) advances organic farming, with over 8.41 lakh hectares under organic cultivation as of June 2024.
• The government is transitioning one crore farmers to natural farming, establishing 10,000 bio-input resource centers, and supporting certification and branding of organic produce.
• Market Development Assistance and subsidies for organic fertilizers further incentivize sustainable practices.

Clean Energy and Agriculture: The Synergy

• The Green Revolution in Agriculture: Clean energy solutions such as solar water pumping, biogas, renewables-based cold storages could easily cut down the carbon footprints in agriculture. Incentivizing farmers to adopt renewable energy would change the whole rural economy and agriculture for better.
• Job and Economic Opportunities-the renewables sector promises to create considerable employment in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. This is all happening within a situation of a vibrant national renewable technologies market because of government policies and a skilled workforce that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship in this field.

Challenges to the Transition

Policy and Implementation Hurdles

Despite ambitious targets, India has faced setbacks due to:

• Inconsistent policy support and frequent changes in regulations
• Tariffs on solar panels and continued subsidies for fossil fuels
• Slow adoption of sustainable practices at the grassroots level

Social and Economic Barriers

• Small and marginal farmers often lack access to technology, credit, and markets needed for sustainable transitions.
• There is a need for greater awareness, training, and extension services to facilitate the adoption of new practices.

The Way Forward: Drastic Steps for a Sustainable Future

Integrated Approach for Clean Energy and Sustainable Agriculture

• Policy Coherence: Establish synergies between clean energy and agricultural policies to make sure renewable energy supports sustainable agriculture and vice versa.
• Incentives and Support: Expand financial and technical support for farmers to adopt renewable energy and sustainable practices. 
• Capacity Development: Develop relevant training, research, and extension capacities that cater to farmers and rural communities.
• Community Participation: Enhance community-based resource management and decentralized renewable energy systems.

Conclusion

India’s revolution in clean energy and sustainable agriculture is not just an environmental imperative-it is a socio-economic necessity. By accelerating the adoption of renewables and transforming agricultural systems, India can restore the health of its planet, ensure food security, and become a global leader in climate action. The time for drastic steps is now; with the right policies, investments, and community engagement, a sustainable and prosperous future is within reach.

Source: The Indian Express

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