Dr. Arvind Kumar*
Different pockets of success across the globe can prove the possibilities of transformative agriculture. The adoption of precision agriculture in the Netherlands has prospered; in contrast, in Kenya, mobile-based platforms are empowering farmers with real-time market information and advice about agriculture. Costa Rica has made great strides in regenerative farming aimed at reforestation and sustainable land use practices. Meanwhile, India is capitalizing on digital agriculture, implementing drones for crop monitoring and AI for predictive analytics, supported by improved efficiencies and waste reduction.
As per World Bank in 2023, around 733 million people in the world were undernourished, showing a steep rise of 152 million since 2019. The World Food Programme’s 2025 Global Outlook shows that acute hunger afflicts 343 million people in 74 countries, of whom 1.9 million of them are on the brink of famine. With only five years left until 2030, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demands urgent action. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stated, “Food systems are at the heart of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We need to invest in resilient and sustainable agriculture, support smallholder farmers, and ensure access to nutritious food for all while reducing our environmental footprint.” There is an urgent need for the world to rethink how it produces and consumes food. The global agricultural system must find ways to satisfy pressing needs that are at times conflicting in the coming decades. Farmers need to produce enough food for a population that is forecasted to reach a staggering 10 billion by 2050. Meanwhile, sustainability issues are rising in alarm: climate change is working havoc with essential weather patterns for farming; soil degradation is corroding agricultural productivity; water scarcity is a real concern for irrigation- dependent regions; biodiversity loss is unthreading ecosystem services that are critical for crop production; while inequitable distribution of food is keeping hunger alive amongst vulnerable groups.
The unsteady state of agriculture puts forth pressing examinations: Can current agricultural practices sustain a population approximated to be 10 billion by 2050? How can we be productive and still ensure sustainability? What transformative roles can technology play toward reshaping food systems into equitable, resilient ones? And how can the policymakers spur a transformation towards sustainable agriculture embedded with unique protocols for meaningful change?
A virtuous cycle of prosperity?
Internationally agriculture is passing through an unprecedented paradigm shift amidst rising challenges. The growth of the sector over the years has been phenomenal, with agriculture output almost quadrupling between 1961 and 2020, largely through productivity gains in the Global South. A 4% reduction in agricultural prices is expected in 2025, although extreme weather events and trade restrictions may affect this outlook. Differing approaches have been taken toward improving sustainable agriculture. Regenerative agriculture is gaining recognition for its focus on improving soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Advances in biotechnology, particularly in protein diversification, offer new protein sources and are expected to reap tremendous economic accounts. Precision agriculture, boosted by AI and digital twins’ technology, optimizes land and resource use, enhances crop resilience, and achieves its aims of climate change and resource scarcity. Different pockets of success across the globe can prove the possibilities of transformative agriculture. The adoption of precision agriculture in the Netherlands has prospered; in contrast, in Kenya, mobile-based platforms are empowering farmers with real-time market information and advice about agriculture. Costa Rica has made great strides in regenerative farming aimed at reforestation and sustainable land use practices. Meanwhile, India is capitalizing on digital agriculture, implementing drones for crop monitoring and AI for predictive analytics, supported by improved efficiencies and waste reduction.
Is India intertwined with resilience?
India’s agricultural sector is a major linchpin for the national economy, contributing almost 15% of GDP while employing around 50% of the workforce. Being one of the world leaders in food production, it ensures food security for its 1.4 billion citizens. To this end, India has pioneered several innovative policies to promote sustainable agriculture: National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) which emphasises climate-resilient farming practices; Soil Health Card Scheme which promotes balanced fertilizer application by providing farmers with detailed soil analysis; the PM Krishi Sinchayi Yojana which encourages micro-irrigation practices like drip and sprinkler irrigation for efficient water use; Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana to promote organic farming by setting up clusters on a scale of 5 lakh acres; PM Fasal Bima Yojana, which offers crop insurance to mitigate climate-induced losses to farmers; and the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, aiming to enhance productivity in 100 low-performing districts through crop diversification and improved irrigation facilities.
However, several challenges loom. Climate change threatens food production, with rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns said to reduce global maize yield by 24% by 2030. For India, wheat yield stands to be severely impacted in warmer regions. Unsustainable resource use, compounded by inefficient irrigation that depletes groundwater (nearly 80% of India’s freshwater is used in agriculture), only adds to the pressure. Chemical fertilizers and pesticide application acts to degrade the soil, making Indian agriculture more to extremities. Structural constraints like fragmented landholdings, lack of access to modern technology, and weak supply chains thwart smallholder farmers from reaping the real benefits of modern agricultural practices.
Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach like strengthening food systems governance to ensure multi-stakeholder involvement, including smallholder farmers, artisanal fisheries, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroecology, must be promoted to reduce reliance on harmful chemical inputs while simultaneously improving productivity and soil health. Additionally, enhancing social protection mechanisms is crucial to supporting vulnerable populations by linking food assistance initiatives with sustainable local production. Empowering smallholder farmers through improved access to markets and the integration of technology is a priority, as highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stated, “Our focus is on creating sustainable agricultural practices that not only enhance productivity but also protect our environment and the livelihoods of our farmers.” Advancing gender equality is another critical aspect, which involves securing women’s rights to land, capital, and decision-making roles in food systems governance.
The Road Ahead
Investing in climate resilience must be integrated into national policies, such as National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. Reimagining the food value chain is also necessary, which includes diversifying domestic food production, prioritizing resilient native crops, and strengthening shorter supply chains. Lastly, leveraging innovation and technology to transform food systems while ensuring environmental sustainability is imperative. As highlighted at COP29, transforming agriculture and food systems is fundamental to meeting the Paris Agreement targets. India’s efforts in digital agriculture, climate-resilient farming, and sustainability policies show promise, but further scaling up is required. By fostering collaboration between policymakers, industry, and local communities, and by leveraging innovation, India and the world can build a food system that is not only productive but also sustainable and equitable for generations to come. We have to leverage every critical opportunity to rally global action, foster innovation, and strengthen partnerships to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems for the future.
*Editor, Focus Global Reporter
