Plastics can help to optimise usage of water in agriculture

There is therefore a need to encourage the plasticulture sector to enable it to realise its potential and contribute to the national economy. Application of micro irrigation can help in increasing productivity by 30 to 100 per cent with significant saving of water. Fertiliser use efficiency is also enhanced.

According to a FICCI-Tata Strategic Management Group (TSMG) report on the potential of plasticulture in India, the country is at a crucial juncture when it needs to tackle the issue of food security by optimising the use of resources, which traditionally has been taken for granted. Plasticulture is a viable solution for India to launch second green revolution. The paucity of water, lower productivity and inefficient use of fertiliser leading to higher carbon footprint can all be taken care by efficient use of plasticulture.

TSMG estimated that the agriculture output can be increased by about Rs 68,000 crore by using plasticulture applications in all pre and post-harvest requirements.

On the demand side, awareness about the possible benefits and subsidies available could help in the adoption of technology.

On the supply side, effort needs to go in creating the awareness through demonstration, build credibility by post-installation management, technology advancement to bring down the capital cost and develop viable bio-degradable alternatives thereby improving the productivity while reducing the carbon footprint.

The FICCI-TSMG report notes that the government needs to create an environment by promoting the plasticulture by easy and efficient sanction of subsidies and promoting investments by allocating a share of agriculture budget to R&D. It is important to leverage the knowledge bank, which exists in the Indian institutes and tacit understanding of extension services today, to develop tailored solutions as per the local conditions and while also incorporate learning from other economies.

The concentrated effort would ensure that the growth rate remains sustainable in following years, as the current penetration level are quite low. With a systematic industry approach supported by policies and government, a second green revolution could be triggered, added the report.

Manish Panchal, Senior Practice Head - Chemical & Energy, Tata Strategic Management Group, said, “The increasing population is raising concerns on the food security in India thereby putting a pressure on the agricultural sector to increase the production levels with limited resources by improving efficiencies and reducing wastages. Government should make the micro irrigation mandatory for all those crops which are water guzzling crops.”