Sustainable Agriculture in India: Challenges, Policies, and the Kerala Model

Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy, but concerns over its sustainability have grown in recent years. To assess the sustainability of Indian agriculture, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) developed a Composite Index of Agricultural Sustainability (CIAS) using 51 indicators, covering environmental health, soil and water quality, and socio-economic factors. The policy paper "A Spatial Assessment of Sustainability in Indian Agriculture" by Prem Chand, T M Kiran Kumara, Suresh Pal, and Kalu Naik evaluates agricultural sustainability across Indian states using this index.

Source: A Spatial Assessment of Sustainability in Indian Agriculture

The national average CIAS score is 0.49, indicating that Indian agriculture is moderately sustainable. However, there are significant variations across states. Kerala, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, West Bengal, and Uttarakhand perform better than the national average in sustainability. Rajasthan, with a CIAS score of 0.42, faces major sustainability challenges due to erratic rainfall, frequent droughts, high temperatures, and poor soil and water resources. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Assam are particularly vulnerable to climate change, threatening the sustainability of their rice and wheat production. Issues such as groundwater depletion, excessive agro-chemical use, soil degradation, and urbanisation-driven land loss further pose risks to long-term agricultural sustainability.

Regional Sustainability Insights

Rajasthan faces severe sustainability challenges due to its arid climate and limited soil and water resources. Punjab and Haryana struggle with declining sustainability due to over-reliance on groundwater, monoculture farming of wheat and rice, excessive use of agro-chemicals, and deforestation. Soil degradation is a growing concern, with over 70% of soil samples from states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan,Karnataka, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh showing deficiencies in organic carbon and nitrogen. Studies indicate that 70 per cent of India’s agricultural land suffers from soil imbalances, affecting productivity and increasing production costs.

Kerala: A Model for Sustainable Agriculture

Despite national concerns, Kerala has emerged as one of the most sustainable agricultural states due to its progressive policies and practices. The state performs well in soil health, water resource management, and biodiversity conservation. It has achieved self- sufficiency in cereals and proteins by increasing the cultivation of legume crops to enhance soil fertility. Kerala priorities crop varietal diversity and the development of pasture and grazing lands, which support ecological balance. The state actively promotes organic agriculture, reducing dependency on chemical inputs and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike states such as Punjab and Haryana, Kerala has robust water sustainability measures, ensuring long-term water availability for agriculture. The government also priorities farmer welfare through self-help groups, cooperatives, and investments in agricultural research and education. However, challenges remain in improving land productivity, expanding organic farming, and strengthening agro forestry initiatives.

Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives in Kerala

Since 2016, Kerala has been actively promoting sustainable agriculture. The state focuses on boosting agricultural productivity by improving soil and plant health management, adopting technology, and fostering innovation. Infrastructure investments have been made in irrigation, marketplaces, and post-harvest facilities. Climate-smart agriculture, mechanisation, and integrated farming systems have been introduced to strengthen farmer livelihoods. Additionally, agricultural services have been improved through agro-service centers, better extension programs, and ICT-enabled support systems.

Kerala is transitioning towards organic farming to eliminate the harmful effects of chemical-intensive agriculture. The policy critiques the Green Revolution for excessive fertiliser and pesticide use, which has led to soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and health risks. The policy aims to improve soil fertility, enhance water conservation, ensure food safety by reducing chemical usage, and promote biodiversity-based farming for long-term ecological balance.

As part of its implementation strategy, Kerala plans to convert 10% of its cultivable land to organic farming annually, achieving full organic status within five to ten years. The focus areas include seed sovereignty and the conservation of indigenous crop varieties, soil and water conservation techniques to enhance productivity, the expansion of organic certification and improved market access, financial incentives for farmers transitioning to organic farming, and the gradual phasing out of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The policy also introduces a government-led mission integrating farmers, research institutions, and local self-governments to promote organic farming at the grassroots level.

Kerala’s approach to sustainable agriculture demonstrates a balanced strategy that integrates food security, environmental conservation, and farmer welfare. The state’s policies on organic farming and resource conservation position it as a leader in sustainable agriculture in India. However, challenges such as land productivity, expansion of organic farming, and climate resilience remain key areas for future improvement.

For broader agricultural sustainability, India must address critical concerns such as groundwater depletion, soil degradation, and climate change adaptation. By learning from Kerala’s model, other states can implement policies that ensure long-term agricultural sustainability and national food security.