Central idea
Cotton farmers in North India are grappling with severe pink bollworm attacks, leading to a shift to alternative crops like paddy and horticulture due to consistent losses. The article highlights the declining cotton cultivation area and production in Punjab and Haryana, with farmers opting for crops with lower risks and costs.
Mains Relevance for UPSC:
- Illustrates the challenges faced by farmers and the agricultural sector.
- Discusses the need for government intervention in sustainable agriculture.
- Highlights the importance of technological advancements in addressing agricultural issues.
Key points discussed in this article
- Pink Bollworm Crisis: Unprecedented pink bollworm attacks devastate cotton crops in the northern cotton zone, leading to significant losses for farmers.
- Shift to Alternative Crops: Faced with continuous losses, farmers are abandoning cotton cultivation, opting for alternative crops like paddy and horticulture with lower risks and costs.
- Environmental Concerns: The shift to water-intensive crops raises environmental concerns, particularly in regions like Punjab and Haryana, highlighting the need for sustainable farming practices.
- Demand for Technological Solutions: Farmers demand improved seeds resistant to pink bollworm attacks, emphasizing the necessity for technological advancements in agriculture.
Concerns and Demands:
- Environmental Repercussions: Shifting to water-intensive crops like paddy poses environmental challenges, requiring a balance between short-term gains and long-term sustainability.
- Farmer Demands: Farmers are demanding improved seeds that are resistant to pink bollworm attacks, emphasizing the need for technological solutions.
- Lack of Initiatives: The absence of specific initiatives raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the region.
Critical Analysis of article for good marks in UPSC mains:
- Economic Considerations: While cotton has a higher MSP, the shift to paddy is driven by lower investment costs, reflecting the economic considerations influencing farmers’ choices.
- Environmental Trade-offs: The article implies a trade-off between immediate economic gains and the potential ecological consequences of shifting to water-intensive crops.
- Shifting Landscape: The agricultural landscape is undergoing a transformation, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the farming community.
Key Challenges:
- Pest-Induced Losses: Despite regular pink bollworm attacks, the severity this year is unprecedented, leading to substantial crop losses.
- Environmental Shift: Farmers are opting for water-intensive crops like paddy, raising concerns about increased groundwater exploitation and potential environmental repercussions.
- Regional Constraints: In regions like Rajasthan, where soil and water conditions are unsuitable for paddy, farmers feel compelled to stick with cotton farming despite challenges.
Way Forward:
- Sustainable Farming Practices: Encourage farmers to adopt sustainable practices that address environmental concerns associated with water-intensive crops.
- Government Intervention: The government should play a proactive role in providing advanced and resistant seed varieties to mitigate pest-related challenges.
- Awareness Programs: Conduct awareness programs to educate farmers about the benefits and challenges of diversifying into suitable alternative crops.
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