PROBLEMS OF MODERN AGRICULTUREby Dharmendra Kapri | 28-02-2017 05:16 |
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During the past few decades our environment has changed considerably due to enormous exploitation of natural resources and unmanageable amount of by-products and wastes that are being constantly added into the atmosphere. This has resulted in today's environmental crisis which has endangered not only human existence but posing serious threat to plant community. The various problems which our agriculture is facing today are briefly discussed below:  (1) Ozone depletion- Ozone is a remarkably minor yet significant constituent of the upper atmosphere. It provides protection and acts as shield against damaging ultraviolet radiation. Without this protection, life on earth would not have existed. However, this blanket of life-saving gas is thinning out every year due to its reaction with chlorfluorocarbons(CFCs) which are released aerosol spray cans, air conditioners and refrigerators. As a result of ozone layer depletion, biocidal UV rays reach the earths surface and disrupt the various forms of life. The total destruction of ozone layer would probably destroy life from the land area of the earth. If we act now to preserve the natural ozone layer, we may be able to provide pollution-free atmosphere to future generation. (2) Global Warming- The average surface temperature of the globe has increased considerably due to increasing concentration of green house gases in the atmosphere. It is expected that the global average temperature will rise up to about 4 degrees Celsius in the next 100 years. This will change the global climate and cause serious disruptions like increase in sea levels, droughts, desertification and melting of the glaciers and polar ice sheats. All these factors ultimately result in the decreased agriculture productivity and rise in the infections diseases. (3) Acid Rain- An increase in the concentration of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere results in the formation of acids which come to the ground along with rain water. The phenomenon is called acid rain. The acid rain damages crops, forests, soils and ultimately interferes with agriculture and underground water. (4) Land Degradation- Excessive use of agrochemicals such as chemical fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides, etc. and multiple cropping together with flood watering have changed the ecology of soil and have degraded it so much that it has lost its natural structure and fertility. These factors increase the area of waste land and ultimately affect the agriculture yields. (5) Deforestation- Forests play very important role in controlling the soil erosion, flood control, fertility of soil and maintaining carbon and oxygen cycles. The close canopy of forest trees provides better environment and protection of wild life. However, increasing pressure of population is leading to rapid clearance of forests. The phenomenon is called deforestation. Disappearance of forests, though provides more land area for crop cultivation, has resulted disastrous social and economic consequences. It also contributes to global warming. (6) Other Problems- Some other problems of modern agriculture are- * Erosion of agricultural resources. * Extinction of genetic resources and varieties. * Faulty agricultural practices. * Use of genetically modified(transgenic) crop plants. * Terminator seeds etc. |
