The Global Challenge

Degraded land

Approximately 1.5 billion hectares of arable land worldwide is degraded, representing about 30% of the world’s total arable land. Each year, around 12 million hectares of arable land are lost to degradation, primarily due to unsustainable farming practices, deforestation, and the impacts of climate change. This ongoing loss threatens global food security, as it reduces the land’s productivity and capacity to support agriculture.

In India alone, approximately 97.85 million hectares of the total geographical area of 328.72 million hectares are degraded, accounting for about 29.7% of the India’s land​ (Next IAS)

World wide subsidy for chemical fertiliser

Globally, chemical fertilizer subsidies amount to an estimated USD 50-60 billion annually, with major spending by countries like India (USD 21-28 billion), China (USD 12-15 billion), and indirect support in the U.S. (USD 3-5 billion). Growing awareness of the environmental and health impacts of chemical fertilizers—such as soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions—is prompting a shift toward sustainable alternatives like biofertilizers. Governments worldwide are introducing incentives to promote biofertilizers; for instance, the EU’s Green Deal targets a 50% reduction in chemical fertilizer use by 2030, and India and the U.S. support biofertilizer adoption through organic farming programs. This shift is reflected in the biofertilizer market, projected to grow at 11-12% CAGR, reaching USD 7-8 billion by 2030, driven by the demand for organic food and sustainable agriculture.

Waste burned

Globally, an estimated 30 to 40 percent of crop residue is burned each year, amounting to roughly 150 million tons of agricultural waste. This practice is most prevalent in countries like India, China, and parts of Southeast Asia, where farmers burn leftover stubble after harvesting rice, wheat, or other crops to quickly clear fields. While convenient, this contributes significantly to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and health problems in surrounding areas.

Water

Polluted water affects over 2 billion people worldwide, leading to severe health, environmental, and economic consequences. Contaminated water sources, often filled with pathogens, chemicals, or waste, contribute to diseases like cholera, dysentery, and diarrhea, causing nearly 485,000 deaths annually. In addition to harming human health, polluted water disrupts ecosystems, affecting aquatic life and biodiversity. Economically, it strains healthcare systems and reduces productivity, particularly in developing countries, where access to clean water is limited.