Chandigarh has urged immediate and coordinated reforms to reduce pesticide dependency and transition towards climate-resilient, health-conscious farming. Hosted at Panjab University, the event brought together government officials, academics, and sustainability leaders to address the urgent link between climate change, environmental degradation, and public health crises emerging from unsustainable agricultural practices.
The call for reform was led by Babita, Agriculture Commissioner for the Punjab government, who drew a direct line between overuse of agrochemicals and rising incidences of chronic diseases such as hypertension and kidney disorders. “The relationship between agriculture and public health has been dangerously overlooked,” she said. “We must shift to policies that prioritise soil regeneration, water conservation, and low-input farming, while ensuring that farmers are economically secure.”
Punjab and Haryana rank among the top chemical fertiliser and pesticide consumers in India. This dependency, experts warned, is no longer just an environmental concern but a socio-economic liability that risks undermining long-term food security and human health. Former Haryana Forest Development Corporation MD, R.K. Sapra, termed the situation unsustainable. “There can be no true sustainability without breaking the cycle of chemical dependency. The ecological cost is being paid in our water, air, and bloodstreams.”
As the spectre of climate change intensifies across northern India, the conversation is shifting from mitigation to resilience. Dr. P.K. Kingra, Head of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology at Punjab Agricultural University, highlighted the urgency of water-focused interventions. He stressed the need to scale up Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)—a cultivation method that saves over 30% water—as a critical solution to groundwater depletion. “If we do not overhaul irrigation practices now, Punjab’s farm economy will collapse under its own weight,” he warned.
Beyond policy talk, the dialogue also celebrated frontline innovations through the Sustainability Awards. The Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Punjab, was recognised for its treated water irrigation projects that have cut groundwater use by half across 25,000 hectares. Over 12,000 tube wells have also seen reductions in electricity consumption due to the intervention.
Other notable recognitions included the Reviving Green Revolution Cell for promoting regenerative and no-burn agriculture, and Panjab University’s Dr. Vinod Kumar Choudhary for the Nanak Kheti model—a low-input, chemical-free farming system that drastically cuts water use and produces nutrient-rich food. Jagdeepak Singh Gill was honoured for Project SATHI, India’s pioneering seed traceability portal that brings transparency to Punjab’s seed market.
Organised as part of the national ‘Sustainability Matters and IndiAgri’ series, the event in Chandigarh was more than a seminar—it marked a pivot in public discourse. With stakeholders from government, civil society, and agri-tech united in purpose, the dialogue set the tone for a climate-smart agricultural future rooted in health, equity, and sustainability.
While the road to change is complex and politically fraught, the message from Chandigarh was unambiguous: Punjab can no longer afford to view food production through a narrow lens of yield. Climate resilience and human well-being must define the next era of agriculture.
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