IJEP 45(4): 382-388 : Vol. 45 Issue. 4 (April 2025)
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, Pusa Campus, New Delhi – 110 012, India
Abstract
India’s population is on the rise and by 2050, it will be required to feed 1.6 billion people. Alongwith this, there is a constant decline in the cultivable land. Hence, there is an added burden of improving its agricultural productivity. The application of agrochemicals, like pesticides and fertilizers to boost agricultural productivity has been causing damage to the environment. Its use and overuse cause problems, including pollution and in turn, harm to mankind and animals. There is an urgent need to find alternatives to these agrochemicals. Various policies need to be implemented at the national and global levels to continue the agricultural output without causing harm to the environment. This article addresses the issue. A comparative analysis of the production and use of pesticides and fertilizers is provided. Suggestions for improving agricultural productivity without causing harm to the environment have been highlighted and alternatives to conventional agrochemicals have been proposed.
Keywords
Agricultural productivity, Agrochemicals, Fertilizers, Pesticides
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