GS Question

The major factors that have contributed to the success of the rice-wheat system in India are as follows:

1. Complementary growth cycles: Rice is a water-intensive crop and requires high rainfall or irrigation facilities, while wheat is a rainfed crop that requires less water. As a result, rice and wheat can be cultivated in alternating seasons, making efficient use of available water resources.

2. Nutrient complementarity: Rice is a high nutrient-demanding crop, especially requiring nitrogen inputs, while wheat responds better to potassium and phosphorus. This allows for effective soil nutrient management, reducing the need for excessive fertilizer application.

3. Pest and disease control: By growing wheat after rice, farmers can break the life cycle of pests and diseases specific to rice. This helps in reducing the incidence of pests and diseases in wheat, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

4. Market demand and profitability: Rice and wheat are staple food crops in India, and there is a consistent demand for both in the market. As a result, farmers have a reliable market for their produce, ensuring profitability and economic stability.

However, despite its success, the rice-wheat system has become a bane in India due to several reasons:

1. Depletion of groundwater: Intensive irrigation required for rice cultivation has led to the over-extraction of groundwater, causing a significant decline in groundwater levels. This has resulted in water scarcity in many regions, affecting overall agricultural sustainability.

2. Soil health degradation: Continuous rice-wheat cropping has led to the depletion of soil organic matter, loss of soil fertility, and decline in soil structure. Excessive use of fertilizers and chemicals has also contributed to soil health degradation, affecting long-term productivity.

3. Stubble burning and air pollution: Rice residue burning, a common practice to prepare fields for the subsequent wheat crop, causes severe air pollution and contributes to the problem of smog in northern India during winters. It has adverse effects on human health and the environment.

4. Climate change vulnerability: The rice-wheat system is highly vulnerable to climate change, particularly increasing temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and water scarcity. Extreme weather events and temperature variations can significantly impact crop yields and overall agricultural productivity.

To mitigate these challenges, sustainable agricultural practices and diversification of cropping patterns are being promoted, encouraging farmers to adopt alternative crops and conservation agriculture techniques.