Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation

The relationship between agriculture and biodiversity is deeply intertwined — agriculture depends on biodiversity, and at the same time, it plays a role in its conservation.
In an agriculture-dominated country like India, where nearly 55% of the population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, conserving biodiversity is crucial for food security, nutrition, livelihoods, and ecological balance. However, modern agricultural practices involving chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and monocropping have led to a concerning decline in biodiversity.

Global and National Context

What is Agrobiodiversity?

Agrobiodiversity refers to all living components that are part of agricultural and food production systems. It includes:

1. Crop Diversity – Diversity of crops and their varieties.
2. Livestock Diversity – Different species and breeds of animals.
3. Soil Biodiversity – Microorganisms, fungi, insects, worms, etc.
4. Aquatic Biodiversity – Fish, algae, and aquatic plants.
5. Pollinators & Ecosystem Services – Bees, birds, butterflies, insects, etc.

Agrobiodiversity in India

• India traditionally cultivates around 166 crops and 3,200+ varieties.
• It is one of the Vavilov Centres of Crop Origin, the origin center for crops like rice, sugarcane, mung bean, and pigeon pea.
• India has a gene pool of 50,000+ rice varieties and 1,500+ wheat varieties.

Major Challenges

Important Data and Reports

• FAO (2023): 75% of agricultural biodiversity has been lost globally over the past 100 years.
• IPBES (2022): Expansion of agricultural land contributes about 70% to global biodiversity loss.
• India (2022): Only 10 major crops contribute more than 80% of total food production.

Strategies for Agrobiodiversity Conservation

1. In-situ Conservation (On-site)

• Conserving seeds, crops, and living organisms within traditional agricultural systems.
• Examples: Jhum cultivation, Kodo-Kutki farming in Jharkhand, Bakhli system in Uttarakhand.

2. Ex-situ Conservation (Off-site)

• Conservation through gene banks, seed banks, and tissue culture laboratories.
• India:
  • National Gene Bank – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi
  • National Seed Corporation (NSC)
  • ICAR and CGIAR networks

3. Traditional Seed Conservation Programs

• Navdanya, Beej Bachao Andolan (linked to Chipko movement)
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras promoting revival of local seeds.

4. Sustainable Farming Models

• Organic farming
• Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)
• Multi-cropping and mixed farming
• Agroforestry
• Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)

5. Policy and Institutional Measures

• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
• National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
• National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) – to protect biological resources and traditional knowledge
• Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) – maintaining biodiversity registers at the village level

Agrobiodiversity and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Way Forward for India

1. Update Agrobiodiversity Policy: National policy focusing on climate-resilient crops.
2. Strengthen Local Seed Banks: Village-level seed conservation and exchange systems.
3. Incentivize Farmers: Eco-credits or green subsidies for biodiversity-enhancing practices.
4. Research & Innovation: Gene editing and climate adaptation research in indigenous varieties.
5. Document Traditional Knowledge: Formal protection of tribal and rural biodiversity traditions.
6. Raise Public Awareness: Encourage consumers toward local food diversity.

Conclusion

Agrobiodiversity is not only the foundation of food security but also one of the most effective strategies to combat climate change. In a country like India, where agriculture and nature have historically coexisted, balanced policies, scientific approaches, and community participation are essential for effective conservation.