eChapters

After the Green Revolution, it is now time for an Ever-Green Revolution based on Eco Agriculture or Agroecology. In 2018, the FAO described Agroecology/Eco Agriculture as a means to transform food and agriculture systems by addressing root causes and emphasizing the improvement of efficiency in resource use, conserving, protecting and improving livelihoods, promoting equality and well-being and enhancing the resilience of people, communities and ecosystems. A timely transition to a sustainable eco-agriculture approach is essential to protect food security, the well-being of people and farmers prosperity. Eco Agriculture is a broad term that can inclusively refer to agroecology, regenerative, organic, natural, jaivik, etc, and is increasingly being recognized as the way to help save the planet. While discussing this with Prof Swaminathan and the ICFA team, the idea of a Working Group emerged. When I was requested to form the Eco Agri Working Group through ICFA, I consulted with different sectors and tried to determine the “why” and “how” of the impending Eco Agri Revolution.
WHY
The past sixty years led to Green Revolution and alongwith that ‘success’ several adverse impacts and the changing global situation as noted in Table – 1 are the reasons for the need for an Evergreen Revolution based on Eco Agriculture

It is well recognized that sustainable management and sustainable livelihoods are inseparable. If neglected and if the present trends are not corrected in time, everyone’s future is threated. On the other hand, there is increasing recognition of living examples and demonstrated evidences of how the eco agricultural practices can help provide a solution to some of the major problems of today and tomorrow. Also, the main stream international agencies are emphasizing that agro-ecological approaches are the way forward. What the policy makers, farmers and people would like to know is How !it has been our experience that is most countries of the developing world the answer to ‘How’ of eco-agricultural is being demanded! In January 2016, a global team was invited by the office of Prime Minister of India to discuss and prepare an approach paper on Agro-ecology ( or Eco Agriculture including Organic farming). The team consisted of J. Fagan, Hans Harren, M.H. Mehta and A. Thimmaiah who after intensive discussions had prepared several presentations – first given to the group of top officials of Government of India departments and institutions as organized through the office of the prime minister. This was later followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Modi. During this meeting, the clear question asked was, “You need not convince us that agro ecology and organic farming are the way forward, but the question is how? How do we expand this system to national scale ?”

Agriculture is increasingly being looked through the angle of environment and sustainability now. On global scale, the move is towards a balanced need for food production and ecological factors. Green revolution made a huge contribution for food security but now we face the following challenges.
1. Since the green revolution, land has witnessed an indiscriminate and prolonged use of chemicals and the strong need for moving away to more eco-friendly farming is felt.
2. We need to promote eco technologies which integrate the principles of ecology in technology development and dissemination. We also need to promote production and use of biological software for sustainable agriculture and food security.
Therefore, the terms like Regenerative Agriculture, Nature base solutions, Agro Ecology, Eco Agriculture, Conservation Agriculture, Organic Farming, Holistic Resource Management, Climate Smart Agriculture, Prakrutik Kheti etc etc have been gaining prominence in policy and funding spaces related to food systems. Global policy floors like the UN Food Systems Summit and the UN Climate and biodiversity conferences have used these terms as bywords for Sustainable Development. Different Names – Eco Agriculture Revolution Encompasses all ! Regenerative Agriculture is defined by many in ways that closely resemble Agro Ecology / Eco Agriculture. Broadly it describes farming, ranching and pastoral practices that stabilize our planet’s climate and carbon cycles by rehabilitating organic matter and microbial activity in the soil, thereby increasing carbon storage, retaining moisture and safeguarding bio diversity and living systems.

It is well understood that the impact of climate change on agriculture and food security will be critical. The variation in climate influences the productivity of crops, livestocks and fisheries.
The major points to remember are
Climate changes are increasingly impacting agriculture and food security adversely.
Cereal productivity may decrease by 10 – 40% by 2100.
Negative effect on livestock productivity and increased disease.
Achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDG) will become more difficult.
Further, it is also estimated that : Cost of Climate Change will be equivalent of loosing 5 to 20% of GDP (N. Stern : World Bank).Sustainable Agriculture practice could absorb a third of the CO2. Globally, about 800 m $ / day is spent on direct / indirect subsidies. Among other things, it is suggested that encouraging Eco Agriculture is the way out. We must transform 1.5 b ha into Eco / Agri Farming. Small farmers to play BIG role. At the COP28 summit in Dubai, food and agriculture declaration was signed by over 130 world leaders on Sustainable Agriculture and a commitment to mobilize over $2.5 billion to tackle climate issues related to agriculture
COP and 4 per 1000 initiative
Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCC (United Nations Frame Work on Climate Change) has been making significant efforts to mitigate the adverse climate change efforts. At COP 21 in Paris, a landmark agreement was reached to combat climate change and accelerate actions for sustainable low carbon future. COP 22 at Morocco will focus on short, medium and long

In the last several decades many international forums and institutions have discussed and agreed that food and water security are the most important issues for the future. The damage to the ecology directly affects the food, land, water, health and the livelihood. Agricultural progress serves as the best way to fight poverty, hunger and livelihood problems. Though in the last few decades, billions of pages about hunger, food and water security have been written, thousands of conferences have been organized, the urgency of action plans and creating holistic models is the most important need. For this, we must require bold reforms and action oriented programs which can reach the smallest farmers and give an optimistic signal rather than a despondent picture. Developmental models that are holistic and close to nature, sustainable and based on inclusiveness considering ‘unto the last’ women and man are the need of the day. Land and water together with biodiversity and atmosphere conditions are the foundations for sustainable food security. The ecological damage to these foundations are leading to lowering of productivity and livelihood. This will further aggregate with the threat of climate changes such as temperature, rain falls and sea level rise. As per the exercise by World Food Program, it is indicated that the green revolution states like Punjab and Haryana may become food insecure in another 20 years. Food insecurity is measure in terms of land degradation and salinization, ground water tables and green cover loss. *Based on Key Note address at Global Water Meet for Climate Change Adaptation – Agrarian Perspectives : 24 – 26 OCT. 2016 – UAS – DHARWAD – INDIA
Our Soils
The year 2015 was declared ‘ The International Year of Soil’. This is understandable. A healthy soil is key to farm productivity and healthy life (Annexure – 1). In India, out of 306 m. ha reported under various land uses,

In contrast to the traditional universities, agricultural universities have been entrusted with the Herculean task of technology dissemination at the grass root level such that the package of practices evolved by the agricultural scientists should reach out the end-users, viz. farmers , for adopting in the field, with consequent increment in the farm productivity and farmer’s income. This unique mandate has been assigned to agricultural universities on the pattern of land grant colleges of the United States. Such vision and trust, envisaged by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and his devout lieutenants, herald creation of state agricultural universities (SAUs) in the early 1960s. The key role played by SAUs in the first green revolution and agricultural human resources development have been regarded as the milestones in the history of India post-independence, that made the country self-sufficient in food production and, in turn, to self reliance in milk, vegetables, fruits and inland fish production. Today, India has set fourth into commanding position as a global economic power, with primary and secondary sectors, viz. agriculture and industry, contributing modestly. At the current pace of the growth rate, I would not hesitate to predict that by the year 2020, we will accomplish the top lines both in terms of productivity and sustainability, by transforming hitherto deemed liability of population into a formidable asset of human resource capital.
Hunger-free World
Agriculture is a vital development tool for achieving the Millennium Development Goals that call for halving by 2015 the number of people, suffering from extreme poverty and hunger. We also note that more than 50% of the people in the world are small and resource-poor farmers and another 20% rural land less. The challenge is to transform this

To most of us Prof. Swaminathan was a great Scientist, humanist and true global leader. I am blessed to have been associated with Prof. Swaminathan. From a brilliant scholar to a visionary global leader, he had continuously moved to higher and higher level of achievements. The nine decades of his life can be divided in 4 phases – Brilliant & dreamy student, devoted scientist and Science Manager, a visionary and missionary solving the hunger problem and a global citizen and humanist. The vision and drive had taken him to extraordinary heights – Like Maharshi Patanjali has said in Yoga Sutra– “When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary vision, all your thoughts break their bond. Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great wonderful world.” Among many things, I also recollect his inspiration when I was planning GSFC Science Foundation and later the activities of Gujarat Agricultural University.

“Where is your Dhoti, Dr. Mehta ?” Dr. Varghese Kurien surprised me as I entered his office at IRMA (Institute of Rural Management Anand). That was April 2000, soon after I had taken over as the Vice Chancellor of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU) and had decided to call on him during my visit to the Anand Campus. (At that time GAU was the largest University in Asia with four main campuses – Dantiwada, Anand, Junagadh and Navsari and about 65 experimental farms / stations spreaded all over). Earlier, I did have some interactions with Dr. Kurien. When at GSFC Ltd., we had introduced Nylon – 6 Engineering plastic. I had discussed with my team of Research and Application Development Engineers about multi layer packaging of dairy products where Nylon – 6 can have a good market potential which we used to discuss with Amul. Also, our work on Bio Fertilizers and Bio Pesticides had indirect interest to them. So, when suddenly I was offered the position of Vice Chancellor of GAU and was in a dilemma, I went for his advice. After all, he had held the same position earlier (in addition to AMUL). I explained about the offer and said that I was not too sure about accepting it. He, on the contrary, encouraged me to accept it saying “you can do a lot !” I just murmured,” But I am not an agriculture graduate. I am a Chemical Engineer!” To which he jokingly said – “So ?. I am a Metallurgical Engineer. And now I am a Dudhwala!”

for limitation of world fresh water supply, farmland availability, salinity ingression and the pressing future need of food supply. The cultivation of salttolerant crops on saline soil and with saline waters has significant social and economic potential. It is often argued that fresh water agriculture near rivers and ponds was invented because of the need to sustain people and communities. Saline water agriculture is going to be needed for sustaining our future generations and civilization.
FROM DESALINATION OF SEA WATER TO SEA WATER AGRICULTURE
Sea water contains nearly 35000 ppm of dissolved salts. There has been great deal of interest world wide on desalination of sea and brackish water to safe drinking water. In early 1960s the young President of USA John Kennedy put forward two famous challenges for the scientists (1) Landing the man on moon and (2) Producing desalinated water at low and competitive cost. It is often said that the first challenge was met but the second one has been more difficult! With tremendous support and interest, work on desalination was taken up worldwide. Newer processes were being tried. At the Environmental Research Lab of University of Arizona and at Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar simultaneously solar powered HD (humidification – dehumidification) process of Desalination was developed and pilot plants were commissioned. It was however realized that desalinated water was costly and not easily applicable to most coastal communities, though for many countries in middle east with no alternative water source and cheap petroleum energy – it is applicable on a very large scale.

The Late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is described as a great patriot, visionary leader and the 11th President of India ( 2002 – 2007 ). The country would have celebrated his 84th birth day on 15th October 2015. To many like me, he was the most ideal role model that the youth of India needed, in recent time. He emerged as a complete human-being who touched the lives of people. My first meeting with himwas when he visited IPCL in eighties - as the DRDO Chief to discuss about Carbon Fiber and Composites. I was heading GSFC’s R & D Centre and other facilities like engineering plastic Nylon – 6 and their Composites and hence was invited to join the discussions. That interaction left a strong impression in my mind. Later when I became Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Agricultural University, I had many more opportunities to meet him and was often surprised at his deep rooted interest and knowledge in every sphere of Science & Technology. Subsequently, to my delight, I received an invitationfrom his office on the eve of 26th January evening - at home with the President and later was given more time for a one-to-one meeting the next day. Walking across the corridors of the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, the atmosphere looked rather formal and uneasy for me, but, as I was ushered into his room, I saw Dr. Kalam wearing his favourite blue shirt and smiling. He moved forward and greeted me with the same friendliness and warmth. As we started talking about Agriculture scenario, the work I was planning and the future prospects, I marveled at his understanding and insight and left the room truly inspired. Later, I was fortunate to have many more meetings and interactions with him. In fact, during myfrequent visits to Delhi as the Chairman of National Agri Technology – nrdc, I would call at his residence in the evenings at Rajaji Marg to discuss different developments and get his guidance. It soon became clear to his efficient Secretaries to inform me in advance and arrange a meeting with him whenever he would visit Anand or Vadodara. In one such meeting at theCircuit House in Vadodara, I took my 8 year old Grand Daughteralongwith me. He enquired briefly about the progress in my work in Bio Technology and Agriculture in the first 2 minutes but later turned his entire attention to the little girl. It was amazing the way he interacted and talked with much love and

All agriculture universities have three main Directorates – Education, Research and Extension of the three, I have often observed that Extension Department comes in for maximum criticism. ‘Loose links’ and need to do much more in transfer of knowledge and technology are frequently emphasized at various levels – especially in meetings with farmers groups. This is understandable – as it is said that less than 10% - often less than 6% of lab scale knowledge and development reach the farmers fields in developing countries and even in many ‘developed’ counties. The situation is much more challenging when we consider a large population of small and marginal farmers – who as we saw can play extremely important role in eco-agriculture. A large percent of such farmers – women and men are practicing eco friendly agriculture without realizing it. Their ‘ignorance’ can be converted in to advantage and new opportunity. The age old extension practice of reaching farmers through meetings, visit , seminars, camps, demonstrations all have limitations and need to be ‘scaled up’. New developments in information and communication Technology offer a great opportunity for a big jump in reaching the unreached. Again to alarge population of ‘Green Revolution’ – there is a new hope and opportunity.
ICT in Agriculture
The potential for using ICT in agriculture can be divided broadly under two heads (1) as a tool for direct contribution to agricultural productivity and (2) as an empowering tool for the farmer to take and quality decisions. There have been several excellent examples of practical use of ICT in Agriculture and expectations are rising such that a major transformation

Rivers are the most important system for water, for irrigation and human settlement. Historically, civilizations always nucleated near rivers, and latter also had social and religious significance. Rivers in India are considered holy and play the most important part in the lives of people, fauna & flora and the future environmental system. The Ganga Basin is the largest river basin in India which includes the Ganga, the Yamuna, the Ghagra, the Gandak, the Kaveribasin etc. Compared to these, the Vishwamitri River, situated between Mahi River in North and Narmada River in South in Central Gujarat is a small seasonal river but it is very important for the city of Vadodara and Central Gujarat region. This seasonal river originates from Pavagadh hills and flows east to west. It is a typical small river with the kind of problems in most rivers in India and other countries – liquid and solid wastes, enouncements, blocking of water ways, floods in monsoon months and dry dumping basin during most other months etc.
RIVERS & THEIR REVIVAL
River basin planning and watershed management were the centerpieces of water resource planning at the dawn of the era. For most of the century, however, natural resource policies and pressures led to watershed degradation. Today, the resources value of watershed ecosystems are being rediscovered. Watershed management reflects the recognition that we can only sustain biodiversity by managing the future ecosystem.
VISHWAMITRI RIVER
In a well researched book ‘Vishwamitri Mahatmyam’ edited by Thaker of oriental Institute – Vadodara the history, glory and mythological details of the ancient river Vishwamitri has been brought out. It is said that the river

Bioshields offer barriers of vegetation, shrubs, small and big trees and if integrated as a well designed system they can greatly help our coastal as well as inland areas. Though primarily looked at for coastal regions, under a broader definition Bioshields can play important role in semi-desert areas, hills, etc. also.
Why Bioshield ?
Bioshields or Biobarriers can make a major contribution in minimizing the effects of storms, cyclones and Tsunamis and at the same time offer short and long term ecological and livelihood benefits.
• Bio-Shields in coastal areas include raising mangroves, casurina, palms, bamboo & other tree species and halophytes like Salicornia, etc. followed by other regular plants for the land.
• They serve as speed-breakers under conditions of coastal storms, cyclones and tsunami.
• In addition, they serve as carbon sinks, since they help to enhance carbon sequestration and sustainable fisheries and agriculture.
• Integration of Bio-shield with livelihood options and eco-restoration by developing different site specific models is therefore very important.
For example- the case of two villages near Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu is often taken. During the devastating Tsunami sometime back, the village with plantation- a natural bioshield was saved with hardly any loss of life as against a nearby village with no natural bioshield. Several such examples are available world over. This indicates that if we can have a good, scientifically designed bioshield, it can be of a great help. This concept is bound to get much greater emphasis when we consider the increasing effect and danger due to climate change in the coming years.

The recent earthquake in Nepal brings back memories of 26th January 2001. While the nation was busy in celebrating Republic Day, an earthquake shattered Gujarat especially Kutch and Saurashtra regions. A large number of buildings and houses collapsed within moments. Thousands were injured and many lost their lives and many more became homeless. Bhachau – Kutch soon after the earthquake in 2001 (Picture – 1) Kutch received quick responses from all over the world and a large number of individuals, institutions, government and semi-government bodies, professional experts, religious and social organizations etc. sprang into action to bring back some normalcy in the lives. However, long-term rehabilitation program based on scientific planning is most vital after such disasters. Since agriculture was the main source of livelihood of majority of Kutch people, a plan based on scientific agriculture and integration of the same with livelihood, nutritional and long term social considerations was required. It has also been observed that new and appropriate technology can be fast adopted even by small and marginal farmer women and men under such circumstances.

Irrigation status at the national level
Out of the 140 m ha of net sown area in the country, 50 m ha ia under irrigation working out to a percentage of about 35. In the different states, the net irrigation per cent varies from 12 in Mizoram to as high as 90 in Punjab. Though at national level the contribution from canal and under ground water are almost equal, yet in Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa and the other North eastern states, it is predominantly canal system, while in Gujarat , Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and ground water predominates as the source. In Tamil Nadu, tank irrigation is an important irrigation source with almost Quarter of the irrigated area under this system. In the other southern states as well as in Orissa also tank system is in vogue to a considerable extent. The unscientific water use in both canal and lift irrigated commands has resulted in raising water table in the first case and fast receding ground water table in the second case. Thus, there is an imminent need for reducing the irrigation water application in agriculture with out affecting the yield and there by increasing the Water Use Efficiency (WUE) The options for increasing the water productivity/improve the WUE are discussed here.
Prevention of water losses in transportation system
Huge quantity of water is lost during the transportation of water from the source (reservoir/main canal! tank/ wells) to the field and till it reaches the root zone. Hardly 20 to 40 per cent of the water released reaches the root zone. The irrigation efficiency can be increased by the selection of proper method of irrigation along with proper design. Apart from the high evaporative and seepage losses occurring at the reservoirs and main canal, considerable amount of water is lost as seepage and evaporation in minors, distributaries, field channel etc. The losses occurring in a typical project in the alluvial plains as reported by the Second Irrigation Commission is given in table 2.

Since many decades environmentalists have warned of perils of chemicalised sports grounds, golf courses and cricket fields. They warn that our health is inextricably linked to the widespread use of toxic chemicals and also complain about the non-availability of safe alternatives.
Eco-sustainable sports fields must use the methods
• That do not pollute
• That are environment-friendly and effective
• That economize on the use of water and energy
Organizations like ECOCERT have prepared guidelines for Eco-sustainable fields including guidelines to take care of soils and turf, use of water including recyclation and use of only eco-friendly and certified compost and organic fertilizers.
Typical Golf Courses are heavy users of pesticides and water. UNESCO World Water Development report found that an 18 hole golf course can use as much as 2.3 million liters of water every day. With the increasing awareness and concern about health and environment, the demand for eco-friendly sports fields are on the rise.
Phil Weaver – Chairman of the Professional Golfer Association (PGA) has stated that “we are keen to have a more environmental approach to the golf industry. I am not sure organic is totally achievable but it is a great aim”. A numerous environmental certification system have been set up for golf courses that lead the way in terms of chemical reduction there are many limitations and difficulties. Some courses are making great sides, with recycling systems, minimum or no chemical use and alternative bio inputs. In BOX – 1 & 2 such examples are given which are typical.

Normally we associate our agriculture and food supply with farms and villages. The new trends of greener cities and urban and peri urban horticulture (UPH) are emerging very fast. Towns and cities in the world’s developing countries are growing at great speed. Ten years ago, an estimated 40 percent of the developing world’s population or 2 billion people lived in urban areas. Since then, their numbers have expanded twice as fast as total population growth, to more than 2.5 billion. By 2025, more than half the developing world’s population of 3.5 billion will be urban. Again most of the world’s fastest growing cities are in Asia and Africa with young population. The concept of “Green Cities” is being discussed for environmental sustainability. However, the core principles of Greener Cities can guide urban development that ensures food security, clean environment and economic well being. Urban and peri-urban horticulture, together with eco-friendly home and public gardens and sports fields can offer a solution for a better future.
Greener Cities and Eco Agriculture
FAO’s program for UPH is major initiative and the following advantages and plans taken from FAO’s report make the reasons clear : Urban and peri-urban horticulture (or UPH) is the cultivation of a wide range of crops - including fruit, vegetables, roots, tubers and ornamental plants - within cities and towns and in their surrounding areas. It is estimated that 130 million urban residents in Africa and 230 million in Latin America engage in agriculture, mainly horticulture, to provide food for their families or to earn income from sales. The FAO program have demonstrated how horticulture helps empower the urban poor, and contributes to their food security and nutrition. But it can

Indian Government has several developmental programmes to promote agriculture and rural sector. It includes Drought Prone Area Program, Antodaya Programme, Integrated Rural Development Programme, Hill Area Development Programme, Desert Development Programme, Intensive Jawahar Rojgar Yojna and Employment Assurance Scheme, Indira Awaas Yojna, Integrated Waste Land Development Programme, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission, etc. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has the main focus to provide guaranteed employment for 100 days in a year to every rural household. Since 2014, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has been a major initiative by the Government of India.
THE FOOD SECUR3ITY BILL
The Food Security Bill is here. Some of the salient features are
Nearly 82 crore (820 m) poor people to get food grains at highly subsidized rate, nearly 20 crore poor in urban areas and 62 crore in rural areas will be eligible to get 5 kg rice, wheat and coarse grains at Rs.3, 2 and 1 respectively. Additionally for pregnant women, there will be a provision for free food for 10 months and for children below 7 years, food will be free. There is one danger point feared in this scheme that in the long run, many farmers will stop farming and go for easier way for casual labour and take food security cover in stead of farming the low production lands. But on the other hand we should look at the solution to this keeping in mind that the Food Security Bill is here and how best we can build on our strength rather than weakness. The areas of strength to look for should be :

Reducing the input costs in farming, especially agrochemicals and improving the yields of farm products in environmentally sustainable way, is one of the most important challenges. World over, the understanding of alternative eco-friendly inputs and intelligent integration of such products with the farming practices are the areas which need to be emphasized, understood and demonstrated. Our experience of working with farmers in different regions has convinced us that they all are looking for alternative, eco-friendly and cost effective inputs and the only way to convince them is practical demonstrations. Eco safe farming is a global challenge and needs combined efforts of NGOs and farmers bodies, private and public sector industries and scientists in the institutions and universities. There are many challenges and many success stories and some typical once are listed here.
1. POTATO IN BIHAR
Bihar Government planned a major program in 2011 – 12 for taking up large scale organic farming. A group of experts was invited to discuss and help this initiative. After a systematic planning and joint participation of the state Government, public and private sectors a package of bio inputs was prepared. The results with respect to productivity increase were extremely encouraging as reproduced from a case study paper in BOX – 1

Large quantities of crop residues are produced and if properly used, they can provide cost effective means for supplying organic matter, plant nutrients and improved soil health. The highly lignocellulosic nature of crop residues indicate their potential role in maintaining soil organic matter and enriching the soils with N-rich microbial biomass resulting from decompositions. However, their indiscriminate handling often burning leads to decline in soil health, air pollution and overall loss. Since most crop residues find use as feed and fuel, efficient recycling of the remaining amount can have very significant
and positive effect.
The data regarding five major crops are shown. Even after use of some of them as animal feed they offer a great opportunity of using them back in to the soils which are hungry for organic carbon and other matters. Practice of Crop Residue Burning
The problem of collection and transport of crop residue and the short timebetween harvesting of one crop and making the farm free for the second crop has led to the harmful practices of crop residue burning. If instead of burning it, the residues can be incorporated into soils, a host of heterotrophic microorganisms bring about minor discharge of carbon and other elements contained in plant residues. A large increases in beneficial soil microbial populations and organic carbon can be achieved

There is a great need to reduce the input costs and at the same time improve the farm productivity in a sustainable manner. A model has been worked out based on a number of field demonstration studies in different parts of India, Africa and Far Eastern countries. A model in which input cost can be reduced by nearly 20 percent and at the same time the crop production can be enhanced upto 20 percent is possible and can be a boon to farmers in most parts of the world. This is the model, which can be easily adopted in an evolutionary way. As suggested by Jonathan Foley (BOX – 1), use of high-tech, precision farming systems, as well as approaches borrows from organic farming, we can boost farm productivity substantially.
Among 8 millennium goals, eradication of poverty and hunger and environmental sustainability are perhaps the most prominent and complementary. The Green Revolution changed India from (and many other countries) from being food deficit to food sufficient / surplus state. Time is now for a new and Sustainable Revolution.
If we look at the challenge that agriculture sector has to face during the next few decades, it is clearly to double the food production by 2025 and triple it by 2050 on less per capita land, with less water and under environmentally challenging conditions.
Let us look at the current scenario and some major developments.
• Indian farmers spend nearly Rs.2 Lakh crores (1 Lakh = 100000& 1 Cr
= 10 Million) on inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides.
• Nearly Rs.50,000 crores goes as fertilizer (chemical) subsidy.
• Excessive use of chemical fertilizers in India hasreduced soil fertility and food production (Green Peace & Vishwa Bharti report – 2009). Fertilizer use efficiency is drastically declining. (It has already come down from 19 Kg food grains per kg fertilizer in mid 60s to 12 kg/kg in 2007).
• Our soils are hungrier for organic carbon. The carbon transfers and trans-formations at the soil or even the cell level can delineate the other nutrients such as N, P, S etc that become available to plants and microorganisms.

Agriculture worldwide is undergoing a profound shift toward sustainability, driven by the need for increased productivity and environmental stewardship. Among the many innovations shaping this transition, biostimulants have gained prominence as a vital tool for enhancing crop performance, improving soil health, and promoting sustainable farming. Unlike conventional agrochemicals, biostimulants work by activating natural plant processes, enhancing nutrient uptake, and increasing resilience to environmental stress. The global agrichemical industry now distinctly categorizes biopesticides, biofertilizers and biostimulants.
WHAT ARE BIOSTIMULANTS?
Biostimulants are natural synthetic substances that enhance plant growth and development without being fertilizer or pesticides. They work by improving nutrient uptake, increasing stress resistance, and stimulating beneficial microbial activity in the soil. Unlike chemical fertilizers, which directly supply nutrients, biostimulants enhance the plant’s ability to utilize nutrients more efficiently.
TYPES OF BIOSTIMULANTS
Biostimulants are categorized based on their composition and mode of action:
Humic and Fulvic Acids – Improve soil structure, enhance nutrient availability and increase root growth.
Seaweed Extracts – Rich in phytohormones and trace elements that promote plant growth and stress resistance.
Amino Acids – Play a crucial role in protein synthesis and help plants recover from environmental stress.
Microbial Biostimulants – Beneficial bacteria and fungi that enhance nutrient uptake and improve soil health.
Brassinoloilds & Tricontanols – Help in vegetative growth and fruit development.
Alkaloids – Improve plant defense mechanism.

Composting is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as fertilizer and soil conditioner. It is a natural process of decomposition and recycling of organic material into humus rich soil amendment. At the simplest level, the process of composting requires making a heap of organic material sprinkled with water which break down to humus after a period of weeks or months. However, modern bio composting is a multi-step, closely monitored process with measured inputs of water, air and carbon and nitrogen rich ( in proper C:N ratio ) materials.
The term composting is used and understand world wide with different
meanings. ( I remember a funny incidence in China when during my talk I mentioned that the process of bio composting does not appear to be understood by more than 80% people. Objecting to this, the President of the academy got up and said “80% is a wrong figure! More than 95% people do not understand it !!”). For many people, composting is used to refer to several types of biological process often calling it “anaerobic digestion”. The microbes used and the process involved are quite different between composting and anaerobic digestion.
Ingredients for Bio Composting
Bio Composting organisms require four important ingredient to function well:

At an Agri Summit, I had an in-enviable task to chair a session on “Sustainable Future”, with two well-known but extremely opposite personalities. On my left was a globally well-known environment activist talking about all the evils of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides. On my right was the President of Pesticide Association with equally strong views about how the chemical pesticides have greatly helped in feeding the hungry world. My task was further made difficult by a large lobby of green activists in the audience and also a number of seasoned industrialists with opposite views. Such a scenario is becoming increasingly common.
In January 2009, the European Council Directive 91-414 was passed banning a total of more than 40% chemical pesticides (David Frabotta, FCI – March, 2009). Earlier in 1993, there were 740 active ingredients available in European markets. By August 2008, however, 394 of these were no longer allowed and 113 more were still under review. It was predicted that in next 5 – 10 years, 85% of these could disappear from European markets. The Swedish chemical agency shortlisted nearly 21 chemical under criteria of ‘Endocrine’ ( The Endocrine criteria are defined as any substances that trigger class – 3 carcinogenic effect and class - 3 reproductive effect). These are new herbicides like :loxynil, Gluctosinate, etc. The two major class of fungicides are described as Triazoles and Dithiocarbonate. Triazoles are major weapon against septoria – a major fungal diseases in cereals.
BEYOND GREEN REVOLUTION
In spite of increase in the use of agrochemicals, the agricultural production and productivity has remained stagnant beyond 1990 due to poor soil conditions

To many Bio Fertilizer is still an unclear term. Often they are identified as urban and rural organic wastes, plant extracts, organic components etc. However, Bio Fertilizer is mostly commonly referred to the use of soil micro organisms to increase the uptake and availability of plant nutrients. Bio Fertilizer have gained a good deal of momentum and the industry after a slow start is now gaining more and more importance globally. The major reasons for this are that they:
1. Improves the soil structure.
2. Add nutrients to the soil / make the nutrients available to the crop
3. Secret certain growth promoting substances
4. Under certain conditions exhibit antifungal activities and there by protect the plants from pathogenic fungus
5. Enhances seed germination
6. Increase the soil fertility
7. Increase the agricultural productivity
8. The nitrogen fixed or phosphate solubilized will be beneficial to the
subsequent crops also.
The major, popularly used and commercially produced Bio Fertilizers are Nitrogen fixing bacterial fertilizers (Azotobacter Culture, Azospirillum Culture, Rhizobium Culture) and Phosphate solubilizing bacterial fertilizers (Pseudomonas Culture). However, currently their applications for other useful elements like Potash, Sulphur, Zincetc are also increasing.

Agriculture is the most significant part of economies of all African countries and can therefore contribute towards major priority for eradication of hunger and poverty. It also forms the strong base for rapid industrialization, employment and environmental management.
N. KozanaDiaminiLuma, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission has emphasized that ‘the year 2014 – the year of Agriculture in Africa’ will be used as an opportunity to accelerate the drive for food security. The major thrust for that has to be on ensuring that the farmers make their profession on economic activity that generate well-being for all in a sustainable manner (1, 2). Africa will have a population of 2 billion people by 2050, the majority women and youth. This prediction and the climate change problem summarize the scale of agricultural challenge for them. Currently more than half of all people living in Africa depend on agriculture for all or part of their livelihood. *Based on Key Note address by the author at the First International Agri Business Conference at Mauritius, Africa : 25 – 28 September 2008
EVER GREEN REVOLUTION OR ECO AGRI REVOLUTION FOR AFRICA
Nearly all agree that Africa needs technology for farming comparable to the Green Revolution of Asia. In 2006, two major philanthropic foundations namely Gates Foundations & Rockefeller foundations joined in a joint venture called Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). They emphasized the importance of introducing African small fodder farmers to modern agricultural science.However, this was rejected strongly by some calling it “naivete” about the causes of hunger and warned that this approach

The words “Economy” and “Ecology” have the same root. Both these words derived from Greek ‘Oikos’ mean house or house holds and both imply thrifty economical way of dealing with valuable resources. However, for some reason we seem to find these two words coming opposite each-other in many situations.
The destruction and degradation of the environment has become the greatest problem of our century. Our survival will depend on how well we are able to redefine our technologies and our relationship with nature. We therefore need a new sustainable eco-agri revolution and a country like India is in an ideal situation to give a model for that. In the new economy, good ecology will be fundamental to good business.
BEYOND GREEN REVOLUTION
We have often emphasized that perhaps the two greatest successes in India since independence have been maintaining a stable democracy and success in bringing the green revolution, which changed us from a food-begging country to a food self-sufficient nation. We should rightfully feel happy and proud about these achievements, but at the same time remember that the global problems, environmental issues, priorities and the technological scenario have vastly changed in the last two decades. Another feature of Indian agriculture is the vast varieties of agricultural and horticulture practices as shown in Fig. 1.

harmony with nature is proving winner in the long run. If the past 60 years led to the Green Revolution in agriculture which often became Greed Revolution, the next 60 year should be the emergence of love for nature, diversity and Sustainable Green Revolution. The two goals – Sustainability and Productivity are inter-related. It is also said that the main difference between the past and today is that our problems are truly global. We are also aware that globally and nationally the rich-poor divide is growing and though world produces enough food, nearly 800 million people remain food insecure. Among 8 millennium goals, eradication of poverty and hunger and environmental sustainability are perhaps the most prominent and complimentary. In his book, “Remember your Humanity – Pathway to food Security”, M.S.Swaminathan has emphasized that a pro-nature, pro-woman and pro-livelihood orientation should be the bottom line of all technological development and delivery program for food security. Mainstreaming of environmental concern in agriculture to avoid exploitative agriculture and ecological consequence is therefore the call of the time.
COMPASSION
The great Tibetan scholar and close companion of HH Dalai Lama, Thupten Jinpa defines compassion as a mental state endowed with a sense of concern for the suffering of others and aspirations to see that suffering is relieved. One of the highest understanding underlined at the global level and in the preparation of sustainable development goals is for a hunger free world and for

In his classic book ‘The Ascent of Man’, Bronowski has written, “When I was a young man, we all thought that mastery came from man’s domination of his physical environment. Now we have learned that real mastery comes from understanding and moulding the living environment.” Our Biosphere, the living environment that supports us all, has problems and we humans are mainly responsible. We do not live ‘gently’ on the earth. The seven billion of us require air, water, food, energy, housing and amenities and we have developed the earth to provide them and have also created problems. That problems exist are serious is the bad news. That we are recognizing them and that man has shown ability to organize and grow in ascending order from time to time is the good news.
TECHNOLOGICAL OPTIMISTS OR TECHNOLOGICAL CRITICS
A barrier often divides environmentalists and industry. This is the result of a kind of polarization in the 1970s that forced people to define themselves as other technological optimists or technological critics. The environmental debates have usually advocated environmentally benign, small-scale, relatively “low’ technologies. The “soft path” based on conservation and simple renewable energy technologies was pitted against the “hard-path” based on largely on nuclear, fossil fuels etc. In farming Eco agriculture and Organic farming challenged the intensive use of energy, fertilizers, pesticides etc.
WHAT REALLY IS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
For the optimistic proponents of advanced technology, the main danger was that retrealist, anti-technology “prophets of doom” would be causing a collective loss of nerve. To them, it would mean missing an opportunity to get an affluent, supercritical society that would overshoot the limits to growth.

Introduction
Agroforestry systems have the potential to make use of marginal and degraded lands through the soil improving effects of trees. Underlying all aspects of the role of agro forestry in maintenance of soil fertility is the fundamental proposition that trees improve soils. It would be useful to have guidelines on which properties of a tree or shrub species make it desirable for the point of view of soil fertility. This would help in identifying naturally occurring species and selecting trees for systems which have soil improvement as a specific objective.
Agroforestry is a sustainable land management system which increases the overall yield of the land, combines the production of crops (including tree crops) and forest plants and/or animals simultaneously or sequentially, on the same unit of land and applies management practices that are compatible with the cultural practices of the local population. Nitrogen fixation and a high biomass production have been widely recognized as desirable. However, many properties are specific to particular objectives of systems in which the trees are used. Even species that are shunned for their competitive effects may have a role in certain designs. An example is the way in which Eucalyptus species with a high water uptake, which adversely affects yields in adjacent crops, have been employed to lower the water table and so reduce salinization The agroforestry systems comprises Agrisilivicultural systems (improved fallow species in shifting agriculture (jhum), hedgerow intercropping (alley cropping), multispecies tree gardens, multipurpose trees/shrubs on farmlands, plantation and other crops, shade trees for commercial plantation crops, soil conservation hedges etc.), Agrisilvipastoral systems (tree- livestock-crop mix ground, home garden, woody hedgerows for browse, green manure, soil conservation etc., integrated production of crops, animals ,fuelwood, poles, etc.), Silvipostoral systems (multipurpose fodder trees on or around farmlands,