Context:
Since 1961, global agricultural output has tripled, while emissions increased by only 45%, indicating a trend of decoupling — growth with comparatively lower environmental impact.
Key Highlights:
- Data Trends
- Agricultural production: 3x increase since 1961.
- Emissions: 45% rise during same period.
- Demonstrates partial decoupling of growth from emissions.
- Driving Factor
- Rise in Total Factor Productivity (TFP).
- Better use of land, labour, capital, and technology.
- Technological Insights
- Technologies improving land productivity are more climate-friendly.
- Shift towards efficient irrigation, improved seeds, precision agriculture.
- Resource-efficient farming reduces emission intensity.
- Concepts Involved
- Decoupling – Economic growth with reduced environmental degradation.
- Total Factor Productivity (TFP) – Efficiency in using all inputs of production.
- Significance
- Balances food security with climate goals.
- Supports sustainable intensification.
- Important for countries like India with large agrarian economies.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Agriculture contributes significantly to GHG emissions (methane, nitrous oxide).
• Sources of agricultural emissions:
- Livestock (enteric fermentation)
- Paddy cultivation
- Fertilizer use
• TFP measures productivity beyond input expansion.
• Concept of sustainable intensification.
Relevant Mains Points:
- GS 3 – Environment
- Agriculture and climate change nexus.
- Need for low-carbon farming practices.
- GS 3 – Economy
- Productivity growth vs input expansion.
- Role of innovation in long-term agricultural growth.
- India-Specific Dimension
- Relevance for achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
- Importance of climate-resilient agriculture.
- Way Forward
- Promote climate-smart agriculture.
- Incentivize efficient fertilizer and water use.
- Invest in R&D and extension services.
- Integrate carbon markets in agriculture.
UPSC Relevance:
Prelims – Decoupling, TFP, agricultural emissions.
Mains – Sustainable agriculture, climate commitments, productivity-led growth.