Food Security vs. Health and Environmental Risks in Punjab (India)

Abstract

This research proposal aims to explore how food security is associated with the health and environmental risks. It is a study based on the state of Punjab in India. The state of Punjab has nearly 40% share of country's food grain production. This food bowl state pioneered the green revolution in 1960s. Agriculture in this state, which prides in its glory as the biggest contributor to the central grain poll, has become increasingly unsustainable. Now Punjab has reached its saturation point with an estimated 198 per cent cropping intensity. The groundwater is depleting at alarming rates in 85 per cent areas of the state. Nitrate presence in water has gone up by ten times in the past four decades. The year-on-year bumper harvest model has only meant more indiscriminate use of pesticides, something which is now being linked to the alarmingly high incidents of cancer in Punjab.

Keywords: sustainable agriculture, health safety, food security, Environmental risks