Proponents of intensive agriculture argue that the current agricultural system in India will continue to support food security by increasing production over time. However, scientific data on several critical determinants of agricultural performance do not support this optimism.

There is mounting evidence of declining soil health and groundwater resources, as well as a reduction in fertiliser efficacy. These deteriorating trends—exacerbated by climate change—clearly indicate that grain production of staples (rice and wheat, for example) may decline drastically in the next decade, while food demand grows at a rate of 2-3 per cent every year.

There is no credible scientific evidence that current business-as-usual intensive agriculture can ensure India's food security. This jeopardises not o

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