Abstract
Sustainable development warrants cognizance of the limits of the ecosystem in terms of carrying capacity and technological externalities and, therefore, the limited extent of substitutability of natural capital with physical capital. The notion of sustainability assumes maximization and/or maintenance of current production without increasing the per unit use of inputs. In this paper, we assess the agricultural sustainability of 17 Indian states using an indicator approach for a period of two decades (1991–2011). For the analysis, the paper primarily uses the normalized temporal data for construction of indices for each of the selected indicators grouped under environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Overall, the agricultural sustainability has improved in all the states. Among the sub-components, while the social-sustainability dimension improved in all the states, the environmental and economic dimensions improved in 8 and 14 states, respectively. There was significant variation in sustainability performance among the states. Economic and environmental sustainability indices were negatively correlated. Based on the results, we advocate a strategy that negates this negative correlation. We recommend a comprehensive approach for integrating all the three dimensions for planning actions towards sustainable agricultural growth.
Highlights
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (United Nations, 2015) are being commonly used as a “blueprint to achieve better and more sustainable future for all” by 2030, but the five years since their implementation have thrown many challenges at social planners
The results indicated an improvement in the economic performance of Indian agriculture over the years
Assessing agricultural sustainability at a large geographical level has certain advantages over the approach at the farm level, as it is of policy relevance
Summary
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (United Nations, 2015) are being commonly used as a “blueprint to achieve better and more sustainable future for all” by 2030, but the five years since their implementation have thrown many challenges at social planners. The SDGs visualize integrating sustainability in all forms of production, distribution, and consumption. The goals (SDG 2–end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture) warrant doubling of global agricultural productivity through sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices [1]. Given the declining factor productivity and population growth, this is a daunting task for several developing countries [2]. India, which has to feed a projected population of over 1.5 billion by 2030 is not an exception. The Green Revolution (GR) helped to increase foodgrain production from 108 million tonnes (mt) in 1971–1972 to 285 mt in
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
