Sustainability Concerns in India’s Tea and Sugar Exports

Sub : Geo

Sec: Eco Geo

Why in News

India, one of the leading agricultural exporters, has witnessed rapid growth in the export of tea, sugar, and other commodities. However, this surge in exports raises significant concerns over sustainability, encompassing environmental, economic, and social factors. This issue has gained prominence due to the potential negative impact on India’s natural resources and social fabric, necessitating a careful examination of sustainable practices in agricultural exports.

Agricultural Exports in India

India is a major player in the global agricultural export market. In the fiscal year 2022-23, India’s agricultural exports reached $53.1 billion, compared to $8.7 billion in 2004-05—demonstrating a six-fold increase in under two decades.
As per WTO’s Trade Statistical Review 2023, India accounted for 2.4% of global agricultural exports and 1.9% of global agricultural imports in 2022.
In 2022, India was ranked 9th among global agricultural exporters.
Major agricultural exports include rice, wheat, sugar, spices, and cotton.
Key markets for India’s agricultural products are the United States, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Nepal, and Malaysia.

Sustainability in Agriculture:

What Makes an Agricultural Commodity Sustainable?

Sustainability is not limited to economic productivity; it also requires considering ecological and social factors. A truly sustainable agricultural system rests on three pillars:
Ecological Factors: Impact on biodiversity, soil health, water resources, and the environment.
Economic Aspects: Productivity, profitability, and market stability.
Social Aspects: Fair labour conditions, rural development, and equitable benefits.
These aspects must be supported by effective governance and policies.

Tea Industry in India:

India is the second-largest tea producer globally and the fourth-largest exporter.
In 2022, Indian tea exports amounted to 188.76 million kilograms, valued at $641.34 million—a 21.47% increase in volume and a 12.43% rise in value compared to the previous year.

Despite this success, the industry faces several sustainability challenges:

Approximately 70% of tea plantations are located near forest areas, intersecting with migratory routes of wildlife such as elephants. This proximity leads to frequent human-wildlife interactions, resulting in crop damage and safety concerns.
The tea industry relies heavily on synthetic pesticides, accounting for up to 85% of total pesticide usage in tea cultivation. Residues of chemicals like DDT, Endosulfan, and Cypermethrin have been detected in tea, posing health risks such as cancer and neurotoxicity.
More than 50% of tea plantation workers are women, often facing low wages and hazardous working conditions. Despite protective measures under the Plantations Labour Act, compliance remains poor. Better enforcement of labor standards is urgently needed.

About Tea:

Tea is a tropical and sub-tropical plant and grows well in moderatelyhot and humid climates.
The ideal temperature for its growth is 20°-30°C and temperatures above 35°C and below 10°C are harmful for the bush.
It requires 150-300 cm annual rainfall which should be well distributed throughout the year.
The most suitable soil for tea cultivation is slightly acidic soil (without calcium) with porous sub-soil which permits a free percolation of water.
The major tea-producing states in India are: Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Sikkim, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Bihar, Orissa.

Sugar Industry in India:

India ranks as the world’s second-largest sugar producer, contributing significantly to rural employment and economic growth. In 2021-22, sugar exports increased by 64.9%, with the industry generating ₹1 lakh crore annually.

However, the sector has its own sustainability challenges:

Sugarcane, a water-intensive crop, requires 1,500 to 2,000 liters of water per kilogram of sugar produced. Sugarcane and paddy cultivation together occupy 25% of India’s gross cropped area but consume 60% of irrigation water, straining groundwater resources.
The expansion of sugarcane cultivation, particularly in Maharashtra and Karnataka, has led to the conversion of natural ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and water availability. Implementing drip irrigation could reduce water usage by 40-50%.
Reports highlight exploitative working conditions in sugar factories, including long hours and poor safety standards. Rising temperatures further aggravate workers’ physical and mental health issues. Addressing these concerns requires stricter labor regulations and sustainable practices.

About Sugarcane:

Sugarcane is grown as a Kharif Crop. It needs hot and humid climate with an average temperature of 21°C to 27°C.
75-150 cm rainfall is favorable for sugar cane cultivation.
Irrigation needed for areas with lesser rainfall.
Sugarcane can grow in any soil which can retain moisture. Ideal soil for sugarcane is deep rich loamy soil. The soil needs to be rich in nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus but neither it should be neither too acidic nor too alkaline.
Sugar industry is broadly distributed over two major areas of production– Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab in the north and Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the south.
South India has tropical climate which is suitable for higher sucrose content giving higher yield per unit area as compared to north India.

Millets: A Sustainable Alternative

Millets offer a promising model for sustainable agriculture in India. These grains are drought-resistant, require fewer resources, and support soil health.
They also provide nutritional security and boost rural economies. In 2021-22, India exported $62.95 million worth of millets, a 2.5-fold increase from 2020-21. In 2022-23, exports grew further to $75.45 million, demonstrating their potential for sustainable development.

What are Millets:

Millets are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food.
The key varieties of millets include Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Ragi, Small Millet, Foxtail Millet, Barnyard Millet, Kodo Millet and others.
Major producers include Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana.
Millets are a powerhouse of nutrients, which score over rice and wheat in terms of minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber content, as well as amino acid profile.
In India, millets are primarily a kharif crop, requiring less water and agricultural inputs than other similar staples.

Way Forward:

India’s agricultural export boom is a double-edged sword—offering economic gains while raising concerns over ecological and social sustainability. Addressing these challenges requires:
Enhanced Environmental Protection: Implement better practices in water use, biodiversity conservation, and chemical management.
Improving Labor Conditions: Strengthen labor rights enforcement and improve safety standards for workers.
Promoting Sustainable Crops: Encourage the cultivation of resilient crops like millets that require fewer resources and offer ecological benefits.
Inclusive Economic Policies: Develop strategies that ensure benefits reach farmers and rural workers while protecting India’s natural resources.