Agricultural Input and Environment

Book excerpt: After green revolution was launched in India, substantial increase in the production of food-grains was achieved through the use of improved crop varieties and higher levels of inputs like fertilizers water and plant protection chemicals. This made the revolution possible but it has limitations of higher costs and of causing damage to the environment specially when inputs are not used efficiently and judiciously. A decline of yields are being reported from the green revolution belts of India, in spite of liberal application of fertilizers and other inputs. The environmental problems are now becoming real problems of the developing countries as well as developing world. This disturbing trend is attributed to soil degradation, multi nutrient deficiencies and pest and diseases build up. The use of chemical inputs increases yields for a limited period, but without good management there is rapid deterioration of land and water resources. Inefficient use of fertilizers results in polluting the environment, in addition to wastage of scarce resource. It is therefore, imperative to conserve and utilize optimally the available production resources like land, water and genetic diversity and to efficiently manage the agricultural inputs for sustaining high crop productivity on a long term basis, with minimum damage to ecological and socio-economic environment. In this context, publication of a reference book is timely and appropriate. As the scientists, students, planners, administrators and extensionists recognize the importance of environmental problems related to agriculture, but they need ready reference to learn more about the problems, plan research agenda and develop strategies to tackle the problems. Hence, an attempt has been made to compile the information and presents in a readable form in this book. The book not only covers the effect of excessive use of chemical inputs on environment but also the effect of other human activities on agricultural production. It is sure that the book will be of immense use of post-graduate students and research workers in agricultural and environmental sciences, extension workers, progressive farmers, officials of the department of agriculture, environment and pollution control board administrators, planners and policy makers and the technical staff working in the agricultural input industry.