AGRICULTRAL RESEARCH IN FOOD SECURITY.ppt
- 1. Agricultural Research: Role in promoting food security, reducing poverty and protecting the environment ANUSUYA P DAQC-1
- 2. Agriculture and fisheries are two major sectors contributing to food and livelihood security globally, especially in developing countries like India. Agricultural research and rural development programmes, when combined with ethical and inclusive practices, become powerful tools to: Ensure availability and access to nutritious food Create sustainable income and reduce rural poverty Preserve natural resources for future generations Fisheries and aquaculture are increasingly recognized as important sub-sectors that complement agriculture in achieving these goals. INTRODUCTION
- 3. PROMOTING FOOD SECURITY Defined by FAO as “when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life.” The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2024 report reveals that nearly 735 million people faced hunger in 2023, and over 2.3 billion lacked access to adequate food—underscoring the urgency for systemic, science-based interventions. Food insecurity is not just about availability, but also about access, utilization, and stability— each of which is influenced by ecological, technological, policy, and ethical dimensions.
- 4. •Food security today cannot be achieved through production alone; it demands innovation in both terrestrial and aquatic systems, governance frameworks, and inclusive policy design. •Agricultural and fisheries research plays a transformative role in ensuring that food systems are nutritious, economically accessible, ecologically viable, and socially equitable. •Agricultural research drives technological advances that boost farm productivity and sustainability worldwide. •Over the past half-century, innovations from scientific research – from high- yielding seed varieties to precision farming techniques – have roughly doubled or tripled crop yields in many regions.
- 5. The Role of Research in Promoting Food Security Agricultural Research: Mechanisms & Systems Innovation •CGIAR-led crop breeding initiatives underpin ~60% of the global planting area of staples (wheat, rice, maize, beans, cassava), generating returns of 10× investment and annual benefits of US$2.2–3.1billion in wheat alone. •IRRI’s semi-dwarf rice varieties (e.g., IR8) contributed to yield increases up to 13% in Asia, delivering annual economic benefits amounting to billions across the region. •RiceAdvice, a digital extension tool used in 13 African countries, raised yields by 0.5–1t/ha and enhanced farmer profitability by approximately US$200/ha. A detailed impact assessment (“Decades of Difference”) found that 1.8 million Nigerian cassava farmers experienced an 84% yield increase, resulting in a 4.7% decline in poverty for participating households over time.
- 6. Fisheries & Aquaculture Research: Nutrition- and Inclusivity-Focused Innovation •Small-scale fisheries contribute approximately 20% of global essential nutrient intake (e.g. iron, zinc, omega 3), particularly in populations living ‑ near coastlines or inland water bodies A new Nature study involving WorldFish and FAO demonstrates that nearly 500 million people rely on small-scale fisheries for livelihoods, and these fisheries generate 44% of total landed value globally.
- 7. Experiments in pond polyculture, mixing tilapia and small indigenous species such as mola, significantly improved micronutrient intake among children and women while diversifying income and dietary resilience in Zambia and India . Genetically improved tilapia (GIFT) varieties, disseminated by WorldFish, increased yields substantially in low-income settings, raising both protein availability and farmer income
- 8. 1. Multidimensional Poverty •Goes beyond income: includes lack of education, health care, nutrition, clean water, and employment. •Measured by MPI (Multidimensional Poverty Index)—used by UNDP and NITI Aayog. •Fisheries and agriculture directly impact multiple dimensions of poverty (income, food, assets, health). 2. Livelihood Approach to Poverty Alleviation •Based on Sustainable Livelihood Framework (DFID): • Five capitals: Human, Social, Natural, Physical, Financial. • Poverty reduction strategies must strengthen access to all POVERTY REDUCTION
- 9. Agricultural and aquacultural research reduces poverty by addressing all these dimensions through the science of inclusive growth. It creates tools, technologies, systems, and knowledge that enable poor and marginal communities to:
- 12. Environmental Benefits of Agricultural Research Contrary to the myth that productivity gains always harm nature, modern research increasingly focuses on “sustainable intensification”: raising outputs while conserving resources. Innovations such as drought-tolerant or short-duration crops allow more food per drop of water and less deforestation. For instance, India’s new genome-edited rice (DRR Dhan 100) not only yields ~19% more but also requires ~30% fewer irrigations, saving an estimated 7,500 million cubic meters of water . Improved nutrient-use efficiency in crops (e.g. varieties bred for better nitrogen uptake) reduces fertilizer runoff and nitrous oxide emissions. FAO notes that science-based technologies are essential to “increase productivity while maintaining or…improving the sustainability of natural resources and the environment
- 13. eco-friendly research outcomes 1.Soil and water conservation: Research on cover crops, crop rotations, and minimum-till farming improves soil structure and prevents erosion. 2.Pest and disease control: Bt cotton dramatically cut insecticide use by ~40% in Indian cotton fields. 3.Biodiversity and gene banks: New varieties often incorporate diverse genes (disease/pest resistance, stress tolerance) thereby hedging future risks and conserving agrobiodiversity. 4.Reduced greenhouse impact: By producing more per unit input, research-driven agriculture can spare land (less pressure to clear forests) and lower emissions
- 15. Institution Scope and Location Focus Areas ICAR–CIFA (India) National (Freshwater, Bhubaneswar) Carp genetics, breeding, hatchery management, feed research, farmer training ICAR–CMFRI (India) National (Marine/Coastal, Kochi/Mandapam) Marine fish and shellfish biology, aqua-environment, IMTA, hatchery technology ICAR–CIBA (India) National (Brackishwater, Chennai) Shrimp/mollusk breeding, genetics, hatchery technology, mariculture systems WorldFish (CGIAR) International (HQ Malaysia) Aquatic genomics, breeding (tilapia, carp), nutrition, value-chains for developing countries Universities (e.g. Stirling, Tromsø) Various (UK, Norway, etc.) Research in aquaculture science, including genetics, water quality, and ecosystem health
- 16. FAO (FIRA Division) International (Italy) Global aquaculture economics, sustainability indicators, policy recommendations National Fisheries Research Institute (NACA, Asia-Pacific) Regional (Thailand) Capacity building, networking, sustainable aquaculture best practices NOAA Aquaculture (USA) National (Washington, USA) Sustainable marine finfish/aqua shellfish systems, disease control, environmental assessments Nofima (Norway) National/International (Norway) Salmonid culture, genetics, feed efficiency, fish welfare Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences National (China) Freshwater and marine aquaculture R&D, polyculture systems, disease prevention CSIRO (Australia) National/Global (Australia) Seafood nutrition, aquaculture engineering, biosecurity, marine biotechnology
- 17. Scheme/Program Organizing Body Objective Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) World Bank + G20 Funding agriculture in low-income countries to fight hunger. Zero Hunger Challenge United Nations Ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition. World Food Programme (WFP) United Nations Emergency food assistance and long-term food resilience. FAO's Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) FAO Increase food production and reduce food insecurity in developing countries. 1. Global Schemes & Programs Promoting Food Security
- 18. Scheme Name Ministry / Body Key Features National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Legal right to subsidized food grains for ~75% of rural and 50% of urban population. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) Ministry of Finance / Food & Public Distribution Free food grains during COVID- 19 and extended thereafter to support vulnerable populations. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Ministry of Women & Child Development Supplementary nutrition to children and pregnant/lactating women. Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN) Ministry of Education Hot cooked meals to school children to improve nutrition and encourage school attendance. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Ministry of Agriculture ₹6,000 annual income support to small/marginal farmers to ensure food access. National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan) NITI Aayog Holistic approach to nutrition including dietary diversity, breastfeeding, and sanitation. 2. Major Indian Schemes Supporting Food Security
- 19. POLICIES FOR POVERTY REDUCTION THROUGH AGRICULTURE Agriculture supports 45–50% of Indian livelihoods. Effective policy here directly reduces rural poverty. 1. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) •Goal: “Har Khet Ko Pani” – every field gets water. •Focuses on micro-irrigation, water conservation, and on-farm water use efficiency. 2. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) •State-specific planning to enhance agricultural growth. •Encourages crop diversification, skill development, and farmer entrepreneurship. 3. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) •Crop insurance against droughts, floods, pests. •Protects small and marginal farmers from falling into poverty due to crop loss.
- 20. 4. MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) •Provides 100 days of employment/year; many works are agriculture- related (ponds, check dams, land levelling). •Supports incomes and creates agri-infrastructure. 5. PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) •Direct income support: 6,000/year in 3 installments. ₹ •Targets financial inclusion and stability of smallholder farmers. POLICIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN AGRICULTURE Sustainable agriculture is promoted through a range of eco-friendly schemes: 1. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) •Promotes climate-resilient agriculture, organic farming, and agroforestry. •Includes programs like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for organic clusters. .
- 21. 2. Soil Health Card Scheme •Provides scientific data on soil nutrients to farmers. •Encourages balanced fertilizer use and reduces degradation 3. Agroforestry Policy (2014) •First in the world to promote trees on farms. •Combats desertification, improves carbon sequestration and biodiversity. 4. Biogas and Composting Schemes •Converting agricultural waste to energy (e.g., GOBAR- DHAN Yojana). •Reduces pollution and encourages circular agriculture.
- 22. Conclusion •Agricultural and aquaculture research are vital for: • Food security – through improved production and nutrition. • Poverty reduction – by generating income and jobs. • Environmental protection – via sustainable practices. •Research institutions and government programs have driven major innovations globally and in India. •Continued investment in research is essential for a secure, sustainable, and inclusive future.