At the Regional Policy Dialogue on Climate Change & Its Impact on Agriculture held on Thursday at the Panjab University, Babita, IAS, Agriculture Commissioner, Government of Punjab, made a strong case for overhauling agriculture policies in light of the growing public health and environmental crisis. Highlighting the alarming rise in cases of hypertension and kidney failures, she underlined the deep interconnection between agriculture and health.
“The overuse of pesticides and chemical fertilisers is not only depleting soil and water biodiversity but also contributing to serious health challenges. Agriculture and health are deeply linked, and the cost of ignoring this is simply too high,” she said.
Calling for a shift towards sustainable agriculture, Babita emphasised the importance of soil regeneration and reducing chemical inputs. While crop diversification offers a promising route to restore ecological balance, she stressed the need to support farmers through this transition.
“Agriculture is also a business for farmers. The commercial impact of these changes cannot be overlooked. We must ensure that sustainable practices are both economically viable and socially inclusive,” she noted. RK Sapra, IFS (Retd), former Managing Director, Haryana Forest Development Corporation, noted, “Punjab and Haryana are among the highest consumers of chemical pesticides and fertilisers. This is severely affecting the health of both people and the planet. We cannot achieve true sustainability until we curb mindless use of chemicals.”
The event also celebrated innovation in sustainable agriculture through the Sustainability Awards, honouring individuals and institutions driving meaningful change. The Department of Soil & Water Conservation, Punjab was awarded for its pioneering efforts to conserve water and reverse groundwater depletion.
The Chandigarh edition of the Sustainability Matters and IndiAgri national dialogue series brought together experts from academia, government, agri-tech, and development organisation. With support from Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Ltd (HDCCF), Haryana State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Limited (HSCARDB), Haryana State Cooperative Apex Bank (HARCO Bank), Solidaridad, FIJEEHA, and the Centre for Environment and Development Studies (CEDS), the event highlighted regional insights and solutions tailored to Punjab and Haryana, two states critical to India’s agri-economy.