Sub Theme: Impact of agriculture on environment

Agriculture: Issue of Food Security & Water Resources

Sritama CHATTERJEE1*, Malabika Biswas ROY 2,3, Pankaj Kumar ROY 4*, Arunabha
MAJUMDER5 and Asis MAZUMDER6
1
Ph.D Student, School of Water Resources Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
2
Assistant Professor (Geography), Gandhi Centenary BT College, Habra, West Bengal, India
3
Post-Doctoral Researcher, School of Water Resources Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata,
India
4
Associate Professor, School of Water Resources Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
5
Emeritus Professor, School of Water Resources Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
6
Director & Professor, School of Water Resources Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
*Corresponding Authors: Email: sritama21@gmail.com/pk1roy@yahoo.co.in

Abstract

Agricultural sector contributes a major portion to the economy especially for the developing
countries. Countries all over the world with higher agricultural production rate are concerned on the
issue of food security because of limited availability of natural resources like water and land.
Agricultural sector meets the demand of the food all over the world thereby utilising almost 70% of
the fresh water stock all over the world. The irrigation techniques are chiefly dependent on surface
water sources and groundwater in some cases. Rain water is utilised for irrigation purpose in countries
experiencing a permanent monsoon period. Excessive use of fertiliser and pesticides accounts for
pollution of limited water resources used for irrigation purposes as they get washed out and carried
away by run off during heavy rains. Issues associated with negative impact of agriculture on the
environment are very sensitive as it is the only faith of mankind to solve problems of food security of
present and future. This study highlights both positive and negative impacts of agriculture on the
society from the point of view of limited resource availability and rising demand for food. Judicious
management of available stock of water resources is crucial to sustain the demand of water for
agricultural sector, industry, domestic purpose etc. at present as well as in future. Alternatives to the
existing farming techniques which will utilise less energy and water simultaneously generating high
rate of yield with minimum use of chemicals and fertiliser may solve this issue to a great extent.

Keywords: Agriculture, Food Security, Water resources, Irrigation, run-off