Sustainability Concerns in India’s Tea and Sugar Exports

Context

India’s growing agricultural exports, particularly tea and sugar, have significantly boosted economic growth but raised sustainability challenges. Millets are emerging as a potential sustainable alternative.

India’s Agricultural Exports

• Growth: Agricultural exports increased from $8.7 billion in 2004-05 to $53.1 billion in 2022-23.
• Global Share: Contributed 2.4% to global agricultural exports in 2022 (WTO Trade Statistical Review).
• Major Commodities: Dominated by rice, wheat, sugar, spices, and cotton.
• Export Markets: Key destinations include the United States, UAE, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Malaysia.

Tea Industry

Current Status

• India is the second-largest tea producer and the fourth-largest exporter globally.
• Tea exports in 2022-23 amounted to 188.76 million kg, valued at $793.78 million.
• Export destinations: UAE, Russia, Iran, USA, and UK.

Challenges

1. Human-Animal Conflict:
   • 70% of plantations located near forests overlap with wildlife migratory routes, especially elephants, causing safety issues.
2. Pesticide Usage:
   • Synthetic pesticides account for 85% of usage, leaving residues like DDT and Endosulfan, linked to health risks such as cancer and neurotoxicity.
3. Labour Issues:
   • Over 50% of workers are women, often facing low wages and unsafe working conditions.
   • Weak enforcement of the Plantations Labour Act, 1951, fails to ensure adequate labour rights and safety.

Recommendations

• Sustainable Practices: Adopt integrated pest management and limit pesticide residues.
• Wildlife Conservation: Establish buffer zones and invest in technology to minimize conflicts.
• Labour Reforms: Strengthen law enforcement, ensuring fair wages and better working conditions.

Sugar Industry

Current Status

• India is the second-largest sugar producer, with an annual production of 34 million metric tonnes.
• Exports grew 64.9% in 2021-22, earning ₹1 lakh crore.
• Key export destinations: Indonesia, Malaysia, and UAE.

Challenges

1. Water Consumption:
   • Producing 1 kg of sugar requires 1,500-2,000 liters of water, stressing groundwater resources.
2. Ecosystem Degradation:
   • Expansion of sugarcane cultivation, particularly in Karnataka and Maharashtra, has led to biodiversity loss and reduced natural ecosystems.
3. Labour Exploitation:
   • Workers face long hours, extreme temperatures, and poor working conditions, often leading to health issues and debt cycles.

 

Recommendations

• Water Management: Promote drip irrigation, cutting water usage by 40-50%.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Encourage diversified cropping patterns and regulate land use.
• Labour Reforms: Implement safety standards and provide healthcare for workers.

Core Pillars of Sustainable Agriculture

1. Ecological Factors: Emphasize biodiversity, efficient water use, and soil health preservation.
2. Economic Dimensions: Focus on productivity, profitability, and market stability.
3. Social Equity: Ensure equitable labour practices and community benefits.

4.Governance: Policies must balance environmental, economic, and social considerations.

4. Millets: A Sustainable Model

Key Facts

• Major varieties: Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Ragi, and Foxtail Millet.
• Leading producers: Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Why Millets?

• Resilience: Drought-resistant and require fewer inputs.
• Environmental Benefits: Protect soil health and reduce resource dependency.
• Economic Potential: Millet exports surged to $75.45 million in 2022-23, from $26.97 million in 2020-21.

Integrated Solutions for Agri-Sustainability

• Environmental Sustainability:
  • Promote eco-friendly practices like crop rotation and precision farming.
  • Enhance monitoring for pesticide use and water conservation.
• Economic Empowerment:
  • Encourage fair trade policies for small-scale farmers.
  • Diversify into sustainable crops like millets.
• Social Equity:
  • Enforce strict labour laws in tea and sugar industries.
  • Improve rural healthcare and education for workers.
• Policy Support:
  • Expand subsidies for sustainable technologies like drip irrigation.
  • Align exports with global sustainability standards.