ChapterPDF Available

Human Overpopulation and Food Security: Challenges for the Agriculture Sustainability

Authors:
Rishikesh Singh at Amity University Punjab
Rishikesh Singh
  • Amity University Punjab
Pratap Srivastava at Indian Institute of Technology BHU
Pratap Srivastava
Pardeep Singh at University of Delhi
Pardeep Singh
Shweta Upadhyay
Shweta Upadhyay
Shweta Upadhyay
  • This person is not on ResearchGate, or hasn't claimed this research yet.
Show all 5 authorsHide
Download full-text PDF
Read full-text
Download citation

Abstract and Figures

World population is rapidly growing and expected to reach in between 8.5 to 12 billion by 2100. More than 75% of the population is expected to inhabit in the African and Asian countries having most of the developing nations. The overpopulation leads to a state of food insecurity that induced the evolution of resource-exhaustive agriculture causing irreparable environmental damages. Now the challenge is to feed more with less environmental damages. Adoption of technologically-sound, traditional knowledge inclusive, socio-economically sensible recommended agricultural practices can be the basis for achieving future dietary demands. However, before wider recommendation, their environmental impact assessment at various sustainability issues is necessitated for a holistic understanding of the future agriculture. The challenges of overpopulation and food security can only be managed by identifying the core areas of research and development under different agricultural sectors. The present chapter will provide a brief dimension on some of these key issues.
Figures - uploaded by Rishikesh Singh
Author content
All figure content in this area was uploaded by Rishikesh Singh
Content may be subject to copyright.
Content uploaded by Rishikesh Singh
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Rishikesh Singh on Dec 17, 2016
Content may be subject to copyright.
12
Copyright © 2017, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.
Chapter 2
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-1683-5.ch002
Akhilesh Singh Raghubanshi
Banaras Hindu University, India
ABSTRACT
World population is rapidly growing and expected to reach in between 8.5 to 12 billion by 2100. More
than 75% of the population is expected to inhabit in the African and Asian countries having most of the
developing nations. The overpopulation leads to a state of food insecurity that induced the evolution of
resource-exhaustive agriculture causing irreparable environmental damages. Now the challenge is to
feed more with less environmental damages. Adoption of technologically-sound, traditional knowledge
inclusive, socio-economically sensible recommended agricultural practices can be the basis for achieving
future dietary demands. However, before wider recommendation, their environmental impact assessment
at various sustainability issues is necessitated for a holistic understanding of the future agriculture. The
challenges of overpopulation and food security can only be managed by identifying the core areas of
research and development under different agricultural sectors. The present chapter will provide a brief
dimension on some of these key issues.
Human Overpopulation
and Food Security:
Challenges for the Agriculture
Sustainability
Rishikesh Singh
Banaras Hindu University, India
Pratap Srivastava
Banaras Hindu University, India
Pardeep Singh
University of Delhi, India
Shweta Upadhyay
Banaras Hindu University, India
13
Human Overpopulation and Food Security
INTRODUCTION
Agriculture is the oldest way where humans interact with natural systems for crop and livestock produc-
tion by alteration of natural resources (land, water, nutrients, biomass and energy) for their well-being
(Dale et al., 2013). It is the world’s largest industry occupying about 38% (including cropland and pasture
land) of the Earth’s terrestrial surface (Robertson & Swinton, 2005; Ramankutty et al., 2008; FAOSTAT,
2011; Foley et al., 2011). In addition, it utilizes about 70% of global water withdrawals from freshwater
bodies (FAO, 2011). It involves various interrelated activities like land management, settlement patterns,
crop selection and livestock production throughout its span (Dale et al., 2013). It supports basic human
needs and is governed by human activities (Figure 1) (Robertson & Swinton, 2005). For example, the
interrelationship of human and agriculture can be visualized by the present growth of human population
(during Industrial Revolution, 1750) followed by increased agricultural production (during Green Revolu-
tion, 1950) (Eikelboom, 2013). The present human population of more than seven billion is impending
pressure on the capacity of agriculture to fulfil the food requirements without compromising the natural
resources for their ability to nourish future generations (Robertson & Swinton, 2005). Moreover, the
relative increase in urban population (about 55% of total population) is of more concern in this regard
(Figure 2) (Eikelboom, 2013; Milder et al., 2014). A 2/3rd increase in urban population is expected by
the year 2025 (Hamlett, 2011; Eikelboom, 2013). It would cause a pressure on agriculture due to mass
transition from producer to consumer category, thus loss of agricultural workforce and production. It
may have severe consequences as the present overpopulated world is already facing twin challenges of
food security and environmental degradation.
Figure 1. General overview of the population growth, agriculture and its imperative effects
26 more pages are available in the full version of this document, which may
be purchased using the "Add to Cart" button on the product's webpage:
www.igi-global.com/chapter/human-overpopulation-and-food-
security/173304?camid=4v1
This title is available in Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green
Technologies, InfoSci-Books, InfoSci-Environmental Science and
Technology, Science, Engineering, and Information Technology, Business,
Administration, and Management, InfoSci-Government Science and
Technology. Recommend this product to your librarian:
www.igi-global.com/e-resources/library-recommendation/?id=87
Related Content
An Integrated Approach for Sustainable Environmental and Socio-Economic Development Using
Offshore Infrastructure
Phoebe Koundouri, Amerissa Giannouli and Ioannis Souliotis (2017). Renewable and Alternative Energy:
Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications (pp. 1581-1601).
www.igi-global.com/chapter/an-integrated-approach-for-sustainable-environmental-and-socio-
economic-development-using-offshore-infrastructure/169649?camid=4v1a
Mini Livestock Ranching: Solution to Reducing the Carbon Footprint and Negative
Environmental Impacts of Agriculture
Dimple Singh-Ackbarali and Rohanie Maharaj (2017). Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change
Adaptation Strategies (pp. 188-212).
www.igi-global.com/chapter/mini-livestock-ranching/170314?camid=4v1a
Seasonal Statistical Variability of Precipitations in Dobrogea and Danube Delta
Gabriel Minea, Georgeta Bandoc and Gianina Neculau (2015). Extreme Weather and Impacts of Climate
Change on Water Resources in the Dobrogea Region (pp. 1-16).
www.igi-global.com/chapter/seasonal-statistical-variability-of-precipitations-in-dobrogea-and-
danube-delta/131524?camid=4v1a
SCOR Model and the Green Supply Chain
Ulas Akkucuk (2016). Handbook of Research on Waste Management Techniques for Sustainability (pp.
108-124).
www.igi-global.com/chapter/scor-model-and-the-green-supply-chain/141892?camid=4v1a
... Poverty, a key determinant of health disparities, severely limits children's access to nutrition, education, and safe environments, impairing both physical and cognitive development [64]. Chronic food insecurity is a critical concern, as undernutrition not only weakens immune systems but also contributes to stunted growth, poor academic performance, and long-term socio-economic disadvantages [7,8,65]. In Henequén, these issues are compounded by limited access to reproductive health services, which contribute to high maternal and child mortality rates and increase the risk of premature births and developmental delays [63,66]. ...
Integrating Socio-Demographic and Local Sustainability Indicators: Implications for Urban Health and Children's Vulnerability in Henequén Neighborhood in Cartagena, Colombia
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2025
Citation: Tirado-Ballestas, I.P.; Gallego, J.L.; Zuluaga-Ortiz, R.; Roa-Pérez, V.; Silva-Cortés, A.; Sarmiento, M.C.; De la Hoz-Domínguez, E.J. Integrating Socio-Demographic and Local Abstract: This study integrates socio-demographic factors and local sustainability indicators to assess their implications for public health and social vulnerability in the Henequén neighborhood of Cartagena, Colombia. This historically marginalized community, primarily composed of women and displaced families, faces chronic exposure to environmental contaminants due to its past as a municipal landfill. Poor housing conditions, overcrowding, and inadequate access to water and sanitation services exacerbate health risks. Additionally, low educational attainment and limited economic opportunities contribute to cycles of poverty and illicit activities, disproportionately affecting children's development. Using a cross-sectional and correlational approach, the study identifies key variables, such as housing conditions, access to basic services, and marital status, that shape social vulnerability. The findings are analyzed in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The study highlights critical gaps in sustainability efforts and provides a framework for assessing local progress toward achieving these global development objectives.
View
... The shortage of freshwater resources is now becoming critical day by day and may become a threat to all mankind in future. More than 60% of the total human freshwater consumption every year is consumed by agriculture directly or indirectly (Singh et al., 2019). Globally irrigation in agriculture consumes massive amounts of water (Fereres and Soriano, 2007). ...
Impacts of Irrigation Regimes, Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizer on the Root Development, Evapotranspiration and Grain Yield of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)
Article
  • Mar 2025
Background: Efficient water management is utterly needed for sustainable crop production in water -scarce areas. The deficit irrigation options with P nutrition can influence the root physiology which may aggravate nutrient uptake. Methods: The experiment was conducted with green gram, taking three irrigation regimes viz. irrigation at vegetative, flowering and pod formation (I1), at vegetative and flowering (I2) and vegetative and pod formation (I3) as main plots; three P doses [100% (P1), 85% (P2) and 115% (P3) of recommended P doses] as sub-plots and foliar K (K1) application and control (K2) as sub-sub plots. Result: I1 resulted in higher soil moisture storage followed by I2 and the first water stress appeared under I3. P3 improved the root length density (RLD), root surface area (RSA) and root volume (RV) at maximum intensity under I2 as compared to I1. The maximum grain yield production (29 q ha-1) was observed under I1P3 followed by I1P1. Among the deficit irrigation treatments, I2P3 produced the maximum grain yield merely 11% less than the best treatment (I1P3). Under the condition of irrigation water unavailability, skipping one irrigation during the pod formation period, supplemented with a 15% higher dose of P can result in a satisfactory grain yield of winter green gram.
View
... The rhizosphere is highly colonized due to the release of plant root secretions that attract microbes, with bacteria being the predominant group in this area (Hassan et al., 2019). To meet the needs of our growing global population, it's crucial to improve agricultural production (Singh et al., 2019). However, we must also address the negative impact of traditional farming methods on the environment, human health, and food security (Gupta et al., 2022). ...
View
... Annual population growth rates have declined from 1.2 to 1% in the last decade; nevertheless, estimations reveal that the population will continue to expand well beyond 2050 mainly due to the rapid population growth in several countries in Central and Southern Asia, such as in India and Pakistan, alongside the high fertility rates in sub-Saharan countries, resulting in increasing food demand and agriculture field exhaustion, with subsequent irreparable environmental damage (FAO, 2017;Population Reference Bureau, 2011, 2021Singh et al., 2019). Urbanization has resulted in a significant change in the dietary patterns of people, leading to the expansion of the livestock industry (Cao and Li, 2013;FAO, 2017). ...
Agricultural by-products as functional substrates modulate the growth, the cytoprotective mechanisms and the antioxidant potential of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Article
  • Nov 2024
The emergence of insects as a nutrient source in the human diet and animal feed propels the urgent development of a viable mass production sector. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of rice and corn by-products as substrates for mealworm rearing namely Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in terms of growth, stress response, and antioxidant defence. In this context, mealworm larvae were reared on wheat bran (WB) as the control substrate, rice bran (RB) and corncob (CC), both enriched with post-distillation residues of Mediterranean medicinal-aromatic plants (MMAPs; 0, 10 or 20% w/w). Cell signaling components including Heat shock proteins (Hsps), Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and apoptotic proteins (Bax and Bcl-2) were assessed through immunoblot analysis, while the spectrophotometric technique was employed to determine the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione reductase). Regardless of the MMAPs supplementation level, a weight reduction was apparent in larvae reared on RB substrate, while 20% MMAPs supplementation in WB substrate seemed to trigger an apoptosis-associated weight loss as demonstrated by the elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. In contrast, corncob was regarded as a nutritionally adequate substrate considering that the efficient larvae growth was accompanied by suppression of Hsps expression and MAPKs activation. The elevated antioxidant activity in T. molitor of the 10% MMAPs-enriched RB and CC substrates may underline the attention that must be given in the utilization of MMAPs in insects’ production processes due to the potential insecticidal and repellent effects. Collectively, the effective valorization of agricultural-by-products and MMAPs supplementation in T. molitor feed varies depending on the source of the substrate and the potential interactions among the bioactive compounds.
View
... The report states that annual cereal production will need to rise to about 3 billion tons from 2.1 billion today and that annual meat production will need to rise by over 200 million tons to reach 470 million tons [7]. Agriculture in India continues to be a significant contributor to the country's economy from manufacturing to food processing, because it provides raw materials for factory use [8], [9]. The sector has seen impressive growth, particularly in productivity, due to the Green Revolution and the adoption of modern crop varieties and intensification of input [10]. ...
Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture in India: Promises and Challenges
Article
Full-text available
  • Aug 2024
India's agricultural sector is vital to its economy and rural livelihoods, but today it faces the challenge of meeting increasing food demands. Despite being one of the world's largest food producers, sustainable growth is essential. With more than 40% of the population employed in agriculture, the need for sustainable practices is evident. Initiatives by the government, including organic farming and integrated pest management, is face challenges in addressing these challenges. However, the country's population of 1.447 billion, projected to reach 1.7 billion by 2050, intensifies the demand for resources, requiring a 70% increase in food production, according to World Health Organization estimates. Biotechnology holds promise for sustainable agriculture, but its adoption remains limited for safety reasons. Despite Biotechnological alternatives in pest management and the vast success of tissue culture in the second Green Revolution highlighting the sector's potential, it's application remains limited. Concerns about sustainability, ethical considerations, and policy limitations have limited the use of genetically Modified (GM) Crops, CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing in India, Bio-fortification and Nutraceuticals, Precision Agriculture and Big Data in Indian agricultural practices. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the role biotechnology could play in Indian agriculture, addressing challenges and potential solutions if adopted. The multifaceted landscape requires a concerted effort from researchers, policymakers, and farmers to harness the full potential of biotechnological interventions.
View
... Sustainable production is a significant goal in agriculture sectors at both local and global levels [1][2][3][4][5]. Current control strategies are mainly oriented toward reducing inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, for healthier crop production with a lower environmental impact. ...
Complex Habitats Boost Predator Co-Occurrence, Enhancing Pest Control in Sweet Pepper Greenhouses
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2024
Sweet pepper is a crop that benefits from phytosanitary treatments with low environmental impact, especially the successful control of pests through the introduction of biological control agents in greenhouses. However, predators that naturally occur in these surroundings often enter greenhouses. The precise roles of these natural predators and their interactions with the introduced predatory insects and mites are often unknown. This study investigated the relationships between Nesidiocoris tenuis, which is naturally present, and Amblyseius swirskii and Orius laevigatus, which are two species of generalist predators released for the control of multiple pests. This study was conducted for two years on 13 commercial sweet pepper crops in various types of greenhouses (tunnels and traditional greenhouses) in Sicily. The environmental complexity value (ECV) for each site was estimated based on 18 points detected around the site according to the different habitats that occurred at each coordinate. The results showed that the occurrence of N. tenuis in greenhouses, independently of their typology (tunnel or traditional greenhouse), was mainly promoted by the greater diversification of habitats immediately surrounding the pepper crops (in a circular area with a diameter of 500 mt), with an increase in its density during the crop season. Moreover, N. tenuis–O. laevigatus’s co-occurrence in flowers suggested that they were not impacted by each other’s presence and that their co-occurrence had a significant effect on pest reduction, although their co-occurrence was density-dependent. As an intraguild predator, N. tenuis competed with O. laevigatus for Frankliniella occidentalis when many predators were present. In addition, N. tenuis also competed with A. swirskii when they both occurred in flowers at a higher density. This study highlights the importance of pepper plant flowers in promoting a higher occurrence of juvenile forms of N. tenuis within flowers. Amblyseius swirskii colonized the plants in 3 weeks, distributing itself almost uniformly over the leaves with a clear control action against not only Bemisia tabaci but also F. occidentalis when present on the flowers. Thus, this concurrent analysis of several commercial pepper sites within the same production area suggests that, even with similar pest control plans, the diverse variability in the presence of natural enemies must be considered when selecting control strategies for pepper crop pests and that N. tenuis, favored by complex surrounding habitats, contributes actively to pest reduction.
View
Rice farms of the Republic of Kazakhstan: internal reserves and competitiveness
Article
  • Apr 2025
Stable growth of agricultural production volumes combines the solution of economic, social and environmental problems, ensuring long-term efficiency of the industry in the context of limited natural resources and climate change. Objective - analysis of trends in improving the performance and building potential of rice farms in Kazakhstan. Scientific research is aimed at identifying the main problems, determining the ways to solve them and possibility of increasing the profitability of rice growing, taking into account modern challenges and prospects. Methods - retrospective for obtaining data for the past period of time, comparative analysis when comparing the information obtained. Results - based on monitoring of individual enterprises, methodology for calculating sustainability of development of rice-growing complexes was tested, recommendations for increasing their profitability were developed. The results of the study demonstrated that the break-even criteria of one of the analyzed economic entities are at satisfactory level (generalized index is 1.01), which indicates balance of economic, environmental and social indicators. On the contrary, index value of the second entity is below one (0.98), which indicates the need to improve strategies for coordinating, monitoring and increasing effectiveness of its activities. The proposed methodology is flexible tool that can be adapted to the specifics of various agricultural firms cultivating this crop. The role of digitalization as a factor contributing to optimization of production processes, reducing ecological footprint and strengthening social structure is noted. Conclusions - the results obtained confirm the importance of integrated approach to continuous balanced progressive movement for practical implementation of goals set for agro-industrial complex and will find application in strategic planning and assessment of regulatory impact aimed at strengthening economic and financial components of the participants in the Kazakhstan rice market.
View
Commercialization and Market Potential of Nanobiostimulants
Chapter
  • Nov 2024
The utilization of nanomaterials, including nanobiostimulants, in agricultural sectors signifies an innovative and effective approach to increase plant growth, improve resilience to stress factors, and eventually maximize total crop production. The application of nanobiostimulants as plant growth regulators and organic compounds in nanoscale carriers depicted the increase in global market demand. This chapter emphasizes the utilization of nanobiostimulants in agricultural sectors including their advantages, commercialization, and global market demand including its future prospect. Furthermore, the basic and dynamic idea behind nanobiostimulants is their capability to overcome the complications along with challenges associated with traditional biostimulant applications. Nanobiostimulants are effective and significant for their positive impact on plant physiology, which includes improved nutrient absorption, stress tolerance, and quality of the crops. The efficiency of the traditional biostimulants is frequently hampered by challenges such as rapid degradation, low solubility, and inconsistency in plant delivery. These challenging factors are now being effectively reduced by the development of nanobiostimulants. In spite of its potential in optimizing the crop production and market profit, nanobiostimulants are facing global challenges about its regulation and legislation, cost-effectiveness, and safety concern. Thus, this chapter includes the global challenges and future prospects of the nanobiostimulants in order to educate consumers and to reduce the knowledge gap about these innovative products. In summary, nanobiostimulants is an innovation that enhances crop production and could be a wise solution to cater global food security challenges. However, safety concern, sustainability, and cost effectiveness of advanced nanobiostimulants require more research and development to gain trust among consumers.
View
Land-use suitability assessment for urban development using Multi-Criteria Decision- Making Analysis in the Himalayan districts of Shimla, Nainital, and Darjeeling, India
Article
Full-text available
  • Jul 2024
After India gained independence in 1947, notable advancements in healthcare and socio-economic sectors resulted in a remarkable population surge, consequently driving substantial expansion in built-up areas throughout the country. The consequences of the rapid and unplanned expansion are adverse in the Himalayas where earthquake, landslides, flash f loods are frequent. The already established hill stations saw a rapid surge in tourism and subsequent urbanization. This study delves into assessing the urban suitability of such hill stations namely Nainital, Shimla, and Darjeeling. The surge in tourism led to alarming population growth with haphazard urbanization which is often severely affected by growing natural hazards. The aim of this study is to assess the urbanization suitability of the regions based on multiple factors that affects the choice of suitable place for urban growth. We employed the GIS based Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach (MCDMA) considering geological, socio-economical, ecological, and prohibitive factors using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The obtained land-use suitability maps for urbanization show that in Nainital the most suitable area for urbanization is the foothills of the Himalayas whereas in Shimla it is around the central and southern part. The northern part and the eastern boundary of Darjeeling are the most suitable area for urbanization. Upon comparing the already existing built-up areas with the AHP derived site suitability results we found that the Darjeeling district is most vulnerable as almost half of the built-up area (49%) lies within a very low to moderate suitable zone. Our findings show that Darjeeling has the highest amount of suitable land for urbanization as the bare ground in the region is not suitable for agriculture. Interestingly, the farmlands in Nainital show highest suitability when urbanization is considered. This brings out a serious problem in urbanization trend and it is observed throughout the world. Thus, more careful research is needed ensuring proper land use and food security for the growing population. This study lays a foundational understanding of challenges associated to urbanization in a tectonically active mountain range.
View
View
An essay on the ecological and socio-economic effects of the current and future global human population size
Thesis
Full-text available
  • Sep 2013
Since the dawn of civilization the world population has grown very slowly, but since the Industrial Revolution in 1750 and especially the Green Revolution around 1950 the growth rate increased dramatically. At the moment there are 7 billion people and in 2100 it is expected that there will be between 8.5 and 12 billion people. Currently we already overshoot the earth's carrying capacity and this problem will become even larger in the future. Because of the global overpopulation many negative ecological and socioeconomic effects occur at the moment. Land-use change, climate change, biodiversity loss, risk of epidemics, poor welfare distribution, resource scarcity and subsequent indirect effects such as factory farming and armed struggles for resources are caused by overpopulation. All these effects are long-lasting and many are irreversible. The longer we overshoot the carrying capacity of the earth and the larger the human population becomes, the worse the effects will be. It can thus be concluded that the global human population is and will probably remain too large to allow for a sustainable use of the earth's resources and an equal distribution of the use of these resources. In order to achieve global sustainable use and an acceptable distribution of welfare, a world population of 2 billion people would be the maximum. Stabilization of the population is inevitable and therefore it is recommended to support policies to gradually reduce the population level in order to prevent self-regulatory mechanisms like catastrophic global food shortages, escalating armed conflicts about scarce resources or pandemic diseases, from happening.
View
View
Opportunities and challenges for multicriteria assessment of food system sustainability
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2016
  • ECOL SOC
The focus of the Special Feature on “Multicriteria assessment of food system sustainability” is on the complex challenges of making and communicating overall assessments of food systems sustainability based on multiple and varied criteria. Four papers concern the choice and development of appropriate tools for making multicriteria sustainability assessments that handle built-in methodological conflicts and trade-offs between different assessment objectives. They underscore the value of linking diverse methods and tools, or nesting and stepping their deployment, to help build resilience and sustainability. They conclude that there is no one tool, one framework, or one indicator set that is appropriate for the different purposes and contexts of sustainability assessment. The process of creating the assessment framework also emerges as important: if the key stakeholders are not given a responsible and full role in the development of any assessment tool, it is less likely to be fit for their purpose and they are unlikely to take ownership or have confidence in it. Six other papers reflect on more fundamental considerations of how assessments are based in different scientific perspectives and on the role of values, motivation, and trust in relation to assessments in the development of more sustainable food systems. They recommend a radical break with the tradition of conducting multicriteria assessment from one hegemonic perspective to considering multiple perspectives. Collectively the contributions to this Special Feature identify three main challenges for improved multicriteria assessment of food system sustainability: (i) how to balance different types of knowledge to avoid that the most well-known, precise, or easiest to measure dimensions of sustainability gets the most weight; (ii) how to expose the values in assessment tools and choices to allow evaluation of how they relate to the ethical principles of sustainable food systems, to societal goals, and to the interests of different stakeholders; and (iii) how to enable communication in such a way that the assessments can effectively contribute to the development of more sustainable food systems by facilitating a mutual learning process between researchers and stakeholders. The wider question of how to get from assessment to transformation goes across all three challenges. We strongly recommend future research on the strengths, weaknesses, and complementarities of taking a values-based rather than a performance-based approach to promoting the resilience and sustainability of coupled ecological, economic, and social systems for ensuring food security and agroecosystem health in the coming millennium.
View
View
View
Sustainable Intensification of Maize and Rice in Smallholder Farming Systems Under Climate Change in Tanzania
Chapter
  • Jul 2015
Maize and rice are major staple food crops in Tanzania and constitute 31 % and 13 %, respectively, of total food production. The current productivity of the two crops (1.6 t/ha and 2.3 t/ha, respectively) will not match with the increasing demand for food created by population growth unless there is an expansion of cultivated land or intensification measures are imparted to smallholder farmers, who produce nearly 90% of each crop in the country. Expansion of cropped areas is limited by increased land-use pressure. Under smallholder farming the same land is continuously cultivated without proper input to replenish the removal of nutrients with crop harvesting, which leads to a decline in the subsequent crop yield. The situation is exacerbated by the effects of climate change. The smallholder farmers lack agro-inputs, information and extension services, and are faced with erratic rainfall. Therefore, a public-private partnership comprising two public universities and two multinational companies dealing with fertilizer and crop protection was initiated in December 2010, aiming at demonstrating sustainable intensification of maize and rice production in smallholder farmers’ fields. Five farms for maize and four for rice crops in different villages and districts were selected, and their soils were sampled for physical and chemical analysis. Two treatments were imposed on each farm. The treatments were farmers’ practice (control) and improved practice, which includes the proper use of fertilizer, crop protection inputs and recommended crop seed variety. Generally, the soils of most farms were acidic with low phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, copper and zinc values. On average, maize and rice grain yield 14 % moisture content ranged from 2.5 to 5.4 t/ha in farmers’ practice and 6.6–8.5 t/ha in improved practice. Maize and rice stover/straw biomass ranged from 5.33 to 15.4 t/ha for improved practice and 2.11–9.13 t/ha for farmers’ practice. It can be concluded that improved agricultural practices, including plant nutrition, plant protection, improved seeds and conservation agriculture measures (e.g., crop residue recycling), enable sustainable intensification of smallholder crop production. Crop yields are improved, soil fertility is maintained, and family income is increased all at the same time. Therefore, public-private partnerships are needed to put this concept into practice and to make knowledge and technology available to smallholder farmers. Keywords: Fertilizer • Field days • Food crop • Nutrient removal • Public-private partnership
View
Organic amendment impact on SOC dynamics in dry tropics: A possible role of relative availability of inorganic-N pools
Article
  • Sep 2016
  • AGR ECOSYST ENVIRON
Organic amendment in agro-ecosystems positively affects the soil organic C (SOC) dynamics, both alone and in combination with mineral fertilizers. Therefore, it is being widely advocated in recent times for the restoration of SOC. Limited understanding exists on how these agro-management practices affect SOC dynamics in the dry tropical agro-ecosystems. We, therefore, aim to investigate the impact of sole organic and combined (organic + inorganic) amendment on SOC dynamics, taking the precursor native forest as a reference. SOC, soil CO2 efflux, soil physico-chemical, microbial and aggregate characteristics were observed in these systems. Our results demonstrate that organic and combined amended systems behaved distinctly as compared to reference system. However, combined amended system was found more C protective as compared to organic amended system. Further, combined amended system showed higher SOC, soil bulk density, NH4⁺-N, NH4⁺-N to NO3⁻-N ratio, microbial biomass C/N ratio (MBC/MBN), β-glucosidase activity, mineral fractions, and aggregate-associated total C as compared to organic system. However, soil CO2 efflux, pH, moisture content, NO3⁻-N, MBC, MBN, percent labile C in meso- and micro-aggregate, and labile C stock in micro-aggregate showed an opposite trend. Soil moisture and macro aggregate water stability were found important drivers of SOC dynamics in dry tropical ecosystems. SOC dynamics across the studied agroecosystems was found associated with the shift in MBC, MBC/MBN and β-glucosidase activity. The consequent shift in the relative availability of soil inorganic-N pools (i.e. soil NH4⁺-N to NO3⁻-N ratio) was identified crucial in this regard. Its relationship with soil microbial biomass, in addition to bulk density, aggregate size distribution and labile C concentration and stock in meso- and micro-aggregates depicts its possible importance in SOC dynamics. Results suggest that higher soil NH4⁺-N to NO3⁻-N ratio in combined amended system may be responsible for its relatively higher C protective nature. It might be attributed to its relationship with labile C in meso- and micro-aggregate fractions; however, micro-aggregate appears to be relatively more important in this regard.
View
View
An urgent need for sustainable thinking in agriculture - An Indian scenario
Article
  • Aug 2016
  • ECOL INDIC
Abstract: This article emphasizes on the present urgent need to think in "Holistic Dimensions" to achieve a sustainable agro-ecosystem. In this respect, the complex network of dynamic interactions in the agroecosystem soil at spatiotemporal dimensions holds crucial importance. It reflects the inherent tendency of dynamic ecosystems to achieve a more efficient state successively through improved interactions. The shortsighted and inefficient agro-management during Green revolution decades has been detrimental to these interactions in agricultural soils, which is widely evident by its boomerang effects (i.e. declining efficiency, productivity and multi-functionality). It jeopardized the internal regulation in our agro-ecosystem's functioning by erosion of efficiency building interactions among biotic and abiotic components. Therefore, a bottom-up as well as top-down approach in the soil management is required to restore and sustain the unaccounted but indispensible ecological subsidies for sustainable agriculture and development, globally. We propose a "commercial ecological agriculture" which should be an amalgamation of sustainable agricultural practices and supported by a progressive co-ordination among all the stakeholders via participatory learning and adaptation with time. It should be least-disturbing, resilience-building, resource (i.e. energy and nutrient) use efficient, site-specific, labor and skill-intensive, low-input, diversified and integrated, and intimately harmonized with nature. It may potentially provide us agricultural sustainability with time in real sense. It would be primarily based on management of interactions indirectly through identification of integrative variables as surrogate, which may help to achieve internal regulation or self-reliance in agroecosystems. Further, it would be helpful to eliminate the widening socio-economic divide and in mitigation of global change in environment (i.e. air, water and soil) and climate. Additionally, it would improve and restore the multifaceted potential of soil, thus quality and productivity, through improved internal regulation on resource-use efficiency.
View
View