Changing Agriculture Patterns and Environment Concerns

Abstract

Over fifty-percent of India's population depends on agriculture for their living, as it plays a major role in the country's food security. Agriculture has been and is still the foundation of the Indian economy. From Post-Independence subsistence-oriented and feudal systems to modern technologically sophisticated and market-driven agriculture, the sector's history is shaped by government reforms, technological advances, and socio-economic shifts. In this context this paper examines the Post-Independence agrarian structure, the transformative Green Revolution which comes with a number of environment concerns ranging from increased green-house gas emission contributing to global warming and climate change accompanied by land degradation, soil and water pollution. The paper also critically assesses the implications of climate change on crop production, water resources, and rural health and livelihoods and outlines future directions for sustaining agricultural growth and ensuring food security.