Dear Indian Citizens,
In this short blog, I aim to highlight the alarming effects of global warming caused by greenhouse gases such as CO2, nitric oxide, ammonia, and others, which are now present at critical levels, around the world as well as in Indian atmosphere. Overall, these GHG’s have affected Human health, Soil, Water & air around us. In this blog we will discuss about the exact nature & causes of the problems created by it.
My next blog I will highlight actual year wise figures of consumption of synthetic fertilises & also the rise in no. of deaths due to the life threatening diseases.
My third blog will discuss about the Solution & in the last blog I will also present a comprehensive Joint Action Plan of producers & consumers to combat the issue collectively.
Let us see the ‘The Problem’ :
PREAMBLE: The levels of greenhouse gases are reaching alarming heights worldwide. These gases trap the heat generated by human activities and reflect to the Earth's surface.
Over-industrialization and the global race for economic superiority have led to excessive production, significantly increasing heat emissions during the process.
When this heat is not absorbed by natural buffers like the ozone layer or trees, it lingers in the atmosphere and is eventually redirected to the Earth's soil and water systems. However, these natural elements, heavily polluted by industrial waste, chemical-based farming, and toxic metals, have lost much of their capacity to absorb greenhouse gases and dissipate the trapped heat.
Problems in India Due to Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
The impact of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in India is undeniable and demands immediate attention.
Below are some key issues that illustrate the gravity of the situation:
1. Rising Temperatures and Heat Waves: The frequency and intensity of
heat waves in India are on the rise due to climate change. Between 1901
and 2018, India experienced a temperature increase of 0.7°C (1.3°F).
Taking Kolkata as a case study, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 41.6°C on April 25, 2024, marking the second-highest April temperature in the last 70 years. Just days later, on April 29, 2024, it recorded 41.7°C, tying the record for the highest April temperature in seven decades.
Impact of Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizers on GHG Emissions
The production and use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers are significant contributors to India's GHG emissions. In 2018, these activities emitted approximately 132.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (Mt CO₂e), comprising:
52.11 Mt CO₂e from manufacturing
80.40 Mt CO₂e from field applications
The Annual Report 2019-20 from the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers states that in 2018-19, India manufactured around 414.85 million metric tons of synthetic fertilizers, including urea, DAP, and complex fertilizers.
2. Comparable Emissions Across Industries
Emissions from synthetic fertilizer production account for about 6% of India's total anthropogenic GHG emissions, on par with emissions from the cement industry and the entire road transport sector.
3. Effect on Indian cultivable soils
In addition to global warming, we are facing a critical issue with agricultural produce cultivated through the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers. This overuse has severely polluted agricultural soil, water, and air, leading to alarming levels of heat retention. Consequently, it has resulted in rising temperatures, reduced the capacity of water bodies to absorb CO2, and significantly depleted organic carbon levels in cultivable soils.
Recent reports indicate that the average organic carbon content in Indian cultivable soil is approximately 0.3%. This figure is alarmingly low and poses a serious challenge to the agricultural sector & environment.
These statistics underscore the significant environmental consequences of synthetic fertilizer production and its contribution to climate change. Transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices is crucial to mitigating GHG emissions and reducing India’s environmental footprint.
Over the past five years, India's agriculture sector has faced significant challenges due to adverse climatic conditions, leading to substantial economic losses and decreased crop productivity.
Key statistics highlighting these impacts include:
Marginal Farmers Affected: A survey conducted by the Forum of Enterprises for Equitable Development (FEED) and the Development Intelligence Unit (DIU) revealed that 80% of marginal farmers in India experienced crop losses due to adverse climatic events over the past five years. The primary causes of these losses were drought (41%), irregular rainfall (32%), and early or delayed monsoons (24%). Notably, 43% of the surveyed farmers lost at least half of their standing crops.
Crop Area Affected: Between 2015 and 2021, India lost approximately 33.9 million hectares of crops due to excessive rainfall and an additional 35 million hectares due to drought.
Specific Yearly Losses: In 2021 alone, the country lost 5.04 million hectares of crop area to cyclonic storms, flash floods, floods, landslides, and cloudbursts.
Economic Impact: In 2021, various sectors in India, including agriculture, suffered economic losses totalling $159 billion. These losses were attributed to reduced working hours caused by extreme climate impacts.
Tea Production Decline: In May 2024, India's tea production decreased by 30% compared to the previous year, primarily due to adverse weather conditions such as droughts and floods. This decline led to a 20% increase in tea prices.
Farmer Loan Defaults: By mid-2024, major Indian private lenders reported a rise in farm loan defaults. Factors contributing to these defaults included unpredictable weather patterns and increasing agricultural costs, which strained the rural economy.
Heatwaves and Crop Stress: In April 2024, the India Meteorological Department warned of heatwave conditions lasting 10 to 20 days in several parts of the country. Such extreme heat can lead to heat stress in crops, adversely affecting yields.
Our Observations
These events underscore the vulnerability of India's agriculture sector to climate-induced challenges, affecting crop yields, farmer livelihoods, and the broader economy DUE TO RISE IN TEMPARATURE CASUSED BY CRITICAL LEVELS OF GHG’s PRESENT IN INDIAN ATMOSPHERE. It is also due to worldwide impact of GHG’s. We are fourth in the list of countries producing maximum GHG’s, after China, USA & EU.
It therefore highlights the need for adaptive strategies and resilient agricultural practices.
Now the questions are:
1. Is the use of chemical fertilizers directly impacting the health of consumers?
2. Can we create an agricultural system that benefits farmers, consumers, and the environment equally?
3. Do I genuinely care for the well-being of my family and future generations?
4. As an Awakened Consumer & Citizen of India, Can I contribute effectively to mitigate this alarming situation?
Frankly answers to all above questions are a big ‘YES’
Friends, we will explore more details in my next blog, also about the Solution to these challenges, & Action Plan to mitigate these challenges.
Meanwhile those who want to follow my blogs on Movement of Empowering Environment, Farmers, and Consumers through Organic & Natural Farming (MEEFCONF) can register themselves on WA 9730614900
Dr. Avinash Sane,
Agriculture Business Management,
50+ years of domain expertise as Solution Provider.
(Finance, IT, Marketing & Sales)
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