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Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2766-2314/100
Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Corresponding Author: Dada. R. Nanaware, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
Citation: M. S. Deshmukh, Tanaji N. Ghagare, Dada. R. Nanaware, Kavita. S. Vadrale, Santosh. S. Sutar, (2023), Synthetic Agricultural Inputs and Its Impact on Foodgrains and Human Health, J, Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, 4(2); DOI:10.31579/2766-2314/100
Copyright: © 2023, Dada. R. Nanaware. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Received: 14 April 2023 | Accepted: 24 April 2023 | Published: 03 May 2023
Keywords: food security; nutrition; health; undernourishment; non-communicable diseases; synthetic agriculture inputs
The objective of this paper is to investigate the use of chemical inputs (fertilizer and pesticides) in the agriculture sector and its impact on human health concerning the availability of food grains, the prevalence of under-nourishment people, and non-communicable diseases worldwide. Inadequate food, unhealthy and low-nutrient food are some of the major reasons for decreasing children's and adults' health wellness. The use of fertilisers can increase crop output and yields but also create environmental pollution. Worldwide, use of chemical fertilizer has increased from 137.18 million tonnes in 2001 to 200.57 million tonnes in 2020. Pesticide elements control and protect plants against visible and invisible pests, which can negatively impact biodiversity and farmers' and/or workers' health, excessive use of pesticides indirectly affects food, and food becomes poisonous. This study found that, in 2020 worldwide, the share of use of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, bactericides, and other pesticides in total pesticide was found to be 17.57%, 57.28%, 24.8%, and 0.28% respectively. The average growth rate of fertilizer use (1.88%) was higher than pesticides use (1.68%) in the agriculture sector worldwide. The per capita net availability of food grain was 347.10 kg per annum and 0.95 kg per day in the world during 2001. The food grain per capita availability is 394.58 kg per annum and 1.08 kg per day in 2020. Worldwide, under-nourished people declined from 13.1% (815.7 million) in 2001 to 9.8% (767.9 million) in 2021, which indicates that one (1) in every nine (9) people still has insufficient food to survive an active and healthy life. Interestingly, this study came to the conclusion that the use of chemical inputs in agriculture has increased per capita net availability of foodgrain, and as a result, the number of undernourished individuals has decreased. On the contrary, the rate of non-communicable diseases and utilization of chemical inputs in agriculture is constantly increasing in the world during the study period.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Members that includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The second goal of Sustainable Development is zero hunger- pledges to end hunger, achieve food, nutrition security, and sustainable agriculture development (UN 2019). The third goal of the SDGs is to promote good health and well-being for all ages. It is planned to create a 'hunger-free world' by 2030. Agriculture and allied sectors are the leading food security and nutrition instruments (UN 2019). The main objective is to improve food access to all people and to a malnutrition-free society. Food security and nutrition are the leading indicators of a healthy, secure and prosperous human being. Every country worldwide has been working to achieve this goal within a timeline. Agriculture is essential to enable a healthy diet for all. The rapid population growth, overutilization of chemical inputs in agriculture, decreasing soil quality, changes in climate conditions, inadequate storage facilities, and imbalance in biodiversity are the main obstacles to food security and the zero-hunger goal (Anya et al. 2012; UN 2022).
Food that we eat in daily life contains nourishing substances called nutrients. Nutritional foods have five main factors: carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals. In 2019-20, total food grain production in the world reached 30.85 billion tonnes (FAO 2023). The average annual growth rate of food grains production and population worldwide was 2.15% and 1.23%, respectively, from 2001 to 2020 (FAO 2023; UNPD 2023). The food grain production grew higher than the population. However, the World is facing the privilege of undernourishment, malnutrition among children (below 5 years), obesity in the adult population, and anemia among women. The challenges of ending hunger, food insecurity, and nutrition problems of all kinds are rising worldwide (FAO 2022). Use of chemical inputs are increasing in all countries to obtain high production and provide food quickly, and its adverse effects on biodiversity, environment, climate, human life, and health (Rohr et. al 2019; EU, Sarkar et. al 2021). The incidence of non-communicable diseases continuously increases worldwide with the increasing use of chemical inputs (Paolo et. al 2020; Aliyu Ahmad et al. 2020). The present paper focuses on the correlation between the utilization of chemical inputs and its impact on food grain availability, under-nourishment, and non-communicable diseases worldwide.
This section of the study focuses on the sources and research methods. The methodology covers various indicators of the study, area and duration, data sources, various parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques.
Coverage
The geographical coverage of this study covers worldwide data related to study variables. This paper aims to analyze the use of synthetic agricultural inputs and their impact on food grains and human health. For this purpose, we have covered all countries' data on various variables, like synthetic fertilizer consumption, synthetic pesticide use, and three dimensions of health as per capita net food grain availability, undernourishment, and non-communicable diseases worldwide. This study covers data on 20 years (2001 to 2020) and we study the correlation between synthetic inputs in agriculture and its impact on human health and foodgrain.
Data Source
We have taken data on various variables like synthetic agriculture inputs and human health variables from the Global Change Data Labs - Our World in Data database, the World Bank, and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
In accordance with the objective of the study, the data was collected and tabulated using the MS-Excel and SPSS software. The parametric statistical tool namely the Karl Pearson's Coefficient of Correlation and the non-parametric tools like percentage, growth rate, etc. were used to achieve the study objectives and analyze synthetic agricultural inputs and their impact on food grains and human health. The line graph, bar graph, etc., were used in this study to visualize the results.
Non-Parametric Tool
We have used the following Eq. (1) to calculate year on year (Y-o-Y) growth rate
Were, denotes Y-o-Y growth rate, denotes final years value, denotes previous years value
Parametric Statistical Tool
In order to calculate the correlation between variable, we have used Karl-Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). We have taken synthetic agricultural inputs (fertilizer and pesticide), food availability, malnutrition, and non-communicable diseases as study variables. This correlation coefficient measures the strength and the direction of a linear relationship between two variables. The formula for r is given below in Eq. (2) (Agrwal BL, 1996).
The range of the correlation coefficient is -1 to 1, If x and y have a strong positive linear correlation, ‘r’ is close to 1. If x and y have a strong negative linear correlation, ‘r’ is close to -1. If there is no linear correlation or a weak linear correlation, ‘r’ is close to 0.
This section of the present study deals with the empirical results and discussion based on the various parameters which are related to agriculture inputs and human health. In this study, we focused on the global scenario of chemical inputs used by the agriculture sector, i.e., chemical fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, bactericides, and other pesticides, and their utilization trends. However, it impacts on foodgrain availability, undernourishment, and non-communicable diseases globally. Additionally, we have analyzed the correlation between synthetic input utilization in the agriculture and its impacts on human health.
Global Use of Synthetic Fertilizers in the Agriculture Sector:
In order to nourish growing plants, fertilisers have been crucial. It is estimated that just under half of the people alive today depend on synthetic fertilizers (Vince Gaia, 2012; Ehsan Elahi, et al. 2019). Fertilizers can increase crop productivity and yields, and increasing crop yields can reduce the land that we use for agriculture (Jacquet et al. 2022). In contrast, synthetic fertilisers damage the environment in terms of soil and water pollution (Jorge et al. 2020; Lata Rani et al. 2021).
| Year | Nitrogen (N) | Y-0-Y (%) | Phosphate (P2O5) | Y-0-Y (%) | Potash (K2O) | Y-0-Y (%) | Total (N.P.K) | Y-0-Y (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 81.73 | - | 32.95 | - | 22.50 | - | 137.18 | - |
| 2002 | 84.42 | 3.30 | 34.07 | 3.39 | 23.21 | 3.16 | 141.70 | 3.30 |
| 2003 | 87.16 | 3.25 | 35.31 | 3.66 | 24.52 | 5.66 | 147.01 | 3.74 |
| 2004 | 89.48 | 2.65 | 37.61 | 6.50 | 27.53 | 12.26 | 154.62 | 5.18 |
| 2005 | 90.08 | 0.68 | 37.84 | 0.62 | 27.20 | -1.19 | 155.14 | 0.33 |
| 2006 | 93.01 | 3.25 | 39.28 | 3.80 | 27.15 | -0.20 | 159.45 | 2.78 |
| 2007 | 96.37 | 3.61 | 38.89 | -0.99 | 31.38 | 15.58 | 166.65 | 4.52 |
| 2008 | 94.78 | -1.65 | 34.89 | -10.27 | 26.70 | -14.92 | 156.38 | -6.16 |
| 2009 | 97.35 | 2.70 | 38.18 | 9.41 | 22.81 | -14.55 | 158.35 | 1.25 |
| 2010 | 101.45 | 4.22 | 43.22 | 13.21 | 29.42 | 28.96 | 174.10 | 9.95 |
| 2011 | 105.06 | 3.56 | 44.11 | 2.05 | 31.86 | 8.29 | 181.04 | 3.98 |
| 2012 | 105.14 | 0.07 | 43.60 | -1.17 | 31.41 | -1.41 | 180.15 | -0.49 |
| 2013 | 106.79 | 1.57 | 44.22 | 1.43 | 32.88 | 4.70 | 183.90 | 2.08 |
| 2014 | 107.90 | 1.04 | 44.40 | 0.42 | 36.23 | 10.18 | 188.55 | 2.53 |
| 2015 | 106.60 | -1.20 | 43.89 | -1.15 | 35.89 | -0.94 | 186.39 | -1.14 |
| 2016 | 107.67 | 1.01 | 43.59 | -0.68 | 36.73 | 2.33 | 188.00 | 0.86 |
| 2017 | 109.87 | 2.04 | 45.05 | 3.34 | 38.99 | 6.17 | 193.93 | 3.15 |
| 2018 | 108.40 | -1.34 | 44.26 | -1.76 | 39.00 | 0.01 | 191.67 | -1.16 |
| 2019 | 108.45 | 0.05 | 43.82 | -0.98 | 37.34 | -4.25 | 189.63 | -1.06 |
| 2020 | 113.29 | 4.46 | 48.12 | 9.80 | 39.15 | 4.85 | 200.57 | 5.77 |
| C.G.R.% | 2.31 | - | 1.69 | - | 2.98 | - | 1.88 | - |
Table 1: Global Trends of Synthetic Fertilizer Consumption in Agricultural Sector
Most countries in the world overuse fertilizers, it impacts leading to the runoff of nutrients into water systems and ecosystems and hence creates the pollution. Also, excessive use of fertilizers requires additional land and it’s also have an adverse effect on environmental health. The excessive use of fertilization creates problems of soil salinity, accumulation of heavy metal, water eutrophication, and accumulation of nitrate. However, agriculture production benefits from feeding a growing population while reducing the environmental damage (Serpil Savci, 2012). The three elements that every plant needs most for nourishment are nitrate (N), phosphorus (P), and potash (K). As a result, N.P.K. is increasingly used in agricultural areas to boost production globally. The total amount of synthetic fertiliser (NPK) used in agriculture in 2001 was 13.71 million tonnes. More specifically, in 2001, the world consumed 8.17 million tonnes of nitrogen, 3.29 million tonnes of phosphorus, and 2.25 billion tonnes of potash, respectively. The world's consumption of chemical fertilisers increased to up to 20.05 million tonnes in 2020 in response to higher agricultural production. In 2020, 11.32 million tonnes, 4.81 million tonnes, and 3.91 billion tonnes of nitrate, phosphorus, and potash were consumed, respectively. In comparison to the year before, the yearly growth rate of nitrogen consumption was negative in 2008, 2015, and 2018. From 2001 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of the total consumption of chemical fertilisers was 1.88%, followed by 2.31% for nitrogen, 1.69% for phosphorus, and 2.98% for potash. The growth rate of Potash consumption was high than Nitrogen and phosphorus consumption. Worldwide chemical fertilizer use per cropland area was 103.71 kilograms per hectare in 2001 and increased to 146.40 kilograms per hectare in 2020.
Use of Synthetic Pesticides in Agriculture Around the World:
Pesticides control and protect plants against visible and invisible pests, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and other substances used to control pests. Pesticides, in various forms, have been used for millennia in agriculture. Pesticides have often been produced artificially. They can be necessary to protect crops and farmers' produce and increase crop yields. However, pesticides can also negatively impact biodiversity and farmers' and workers' health (EPA 2023). Excess pesticide use affects food, which becomes poison (WHO 2022). Global pesticide use increased from 2001 to 2020 by 24.21% (i.e. 24,39,806 tonnes) in 2020. The use of herbicides in agriculture for weed management continually increased, reaching up to 13,97,465 tonnes in 2020. The share of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides & bactericides, and other pesticides in total pesticide use was 17.57%, 57.28%, 24.87%, and 0.28%, respectively, in 2020 worldwide. The herbicides used a compound growth rate (2.51%) was more than the other pesticides from 2001 to 2020. The average amount of fertiliser used worldwide increased at a rate of 1.88
In this study, we investigated global trends in synthetic agricultural inputs use, food grains' availability, undernourishment prevalence, non-communicable diseases, and associated impacts on human health. In order to find synthetic agriculture input's use-related externalities, we have practically examined correlations between synthetic agriculture inputs and various health indicators, such as foodgrain availability, the prevalence of undernourishment, and non-communicable diseases. Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides & bactericides, and other pesticides made up 17.57%, 57.28%, 24.8%, and 0.28%, respectively, of all pesticides used in the globe in 2020. Global agriculture industry’s average growth rate of fertilizer usage (1.88%) was more significant than pesticide use (1.68%). In the World in the year of 2001, the per capita net availability of foodgrain was 347.10 kg per year and 0.95 kg per day, showing a rise from the previous year's per capita availability of 394.58 kg per year and 1.08 kg per day in 2020.
In the World, undernourished individuals decreased from 13.1% (815.7 million) in 2001 to 9.8%
(767.9 million) in 2021, meaning that one in nine people still does not have enough food to live an active and healthy life. This study showed that the net availability of food grains grew along with the per capita growth in the usage of synthetic agricultural inputs in agriculture, and the number of undernourished individuals declined. Contrarily, during the study period, the rate of non-communicable diseases has steadily risen along with the global use of synthetic agricultural inputs in agriculture.
Providing nutritious and adequate food to the growing population has become a necessity for all the countries in the World. However, synthetic agricultural inputs in agriculture are increasing daily and it negatively impacting the biodiversity, environment, climate, human life, and health. It also results into changes in temperature and rainfall pattern and which has negative impact on agriculture and hence affecting on food availability. Besides, synthetic agricultural inputs in agriculture are increasing to protect crops from climate change. Due to the excess use of synthetic agricultural inputs, the chemical residue in the food is more than the adequate limit. Therefore, the health of people is negatively affected. In the future, protecting the environment and biodiversity and satisfying the World's hunger will be a big challenge in front of us.
Abbreviation
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals, UN: United Nation, FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization, WHO: World Health Organization, EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
The Authors declared that there is no conflict of interest or any other financial interest.
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