At the regional policy dialogue on climate change and its impact on agriculture, held at Panjab University, experts and officials strongly advocated for a paradigm shift in agricultural practices, including reduced pesticide use, to address the intertwined challenges of climate change, public health, and environmental degradation.
Agriculture Commissioner Highlights Health Risks of Chemical Overuse
Babita, Agriculture Commissioner, government of Punjab, emphasized the urgent need to overhaul current agricultural policies. Drawing attention to the growing incidence of hypertension and kidney failure, she underscored the critical link between agriculture and public health.
“The overuse of pesticide and chemical fertilizers is depleting soil and water biodiversity while endangering human health. Agriculture and health are deeply linked, and the cost of ignoring this is simply too high,” she warned.
Babita called for a decisive shift towards sustainable farming, focusing on soil regeneration, reduced chemical input, and crop diversification. She noted that while these changes are essential, economic viability and farmer inclusion must remain central to the transition.
Experts Warn Against Chemical Dependency
R.K. Sapra, former Managing Director, Haryana Forest Development Corporation, stated, “Punjab and Haryana are among the highest consumers of chemical pesticide and fertilizers. This is severely affecting the health of both people and the planet. True sustainability is impossible without reining in this dependency.”
Water Conservation Key to Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Dr. P.K. Kingra, Head of the Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, stressed the climate threat to water resources. He advocated for large-scale adoption of water-saving strategies such as rainwater harvesting and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), a technique that saves 30–35% irrigation water compared to traditional methods. “DSR is a game-changing innovation that can significantly enhance water-use efficiency in rice farming,” he stated.
Recognizing Champions of Sustainable Farming
The event also honoured trailblazers in sustainable agriculture through the Sustainability Awards, celebrating individuals and institutions making tangible environmental impact.
The Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Punjab received an award for its treated water irrigation projects that cover over 25,000 hectares, halve groundwater use, and reduce electricity consumption across more than 12,000 tube wells.
The organizers recognized the Reviving Green Revolution Cell for advocating Regenerative and No-Burn Agriculture, offering sustainable crop residue management and reducing pollution.
Dr. Vinod Kumar Choudhary of Panjab University received recognition for the Nanak Kheti model—a chemical-free, climate-resilient farming system that uses ten times less water while producing nutrient-rich, healing food. Jagdeepak Singh Gill was honoured for Project SATHI, India’s first Seed Traceability Portal, which brings transparency to Punjab’s seed supply chain.
Dialogue Stresses Collaboration and Innovation
As Punjab and Haryana grapple with a climate-uncertain future, the event reaffirmed the necessity of collaborative action, farmer-led innovation, and policy support to build a resilient agricultural system. As per the press release, hosted as part of the Sustainability Matters and IndiAgri national dialogue series, the Chandigarh edition drew participants from academia, government, agri-tech, and civil society.
