Land-use change in Indian tropical agro-ecosystems: eco-energy estimation for socio-ecological sustainability

Abstract

This study was carried out to understand the ecological and economic sustainability of floriculture and other main crops in Indian agro-ecosystems. The cultivation practices of four major flower crops, namely Jasminum multiflorum, Crossandra infundibuliformis, Chrysanthemum and Tagetes erecta, were studied in detail. The production cost of flowers in terms of energy was calculated to be 99,622-135,996 compared to 27,681-69,133 MJ ha for the main crops, namely Oryza sativa, Eleusine coracana, Zea mays and Sorghum bicolor. The highest-energy input amongst the crops was recorded for Z. mays (69,133 MJ ha) as this is a resource-demanding crop. However, flower cultivation requires approximately twice the energy required for the cultivation of Z. mays. In terms of both energy and monetary inputs, flower cultivation needs two to three times the requirements of the main crops cultivated in the region. The monetary inputs for main crop cultivation were calculated to be ₹ 27,349 to ₹ 46,930 as compared to flower crops (₹ 62,540 to ₹ 144,355). Floriculture was found to be more efficient in monetary terms when compared to the main crops cultivated in the region. However, the energy efficiency of flower crops is lower than that of the main crops, and the energy output from flower cultivation was found to be declining in tropical agro-ecosystems in India. Amongst the various inputs, farmyard manure accounts for the highest proportion, and for its preparation, most of the raw material comes from the surrounding ecosystems. Thus, flower cultivation has a direct impact on the ecosystem resource flow. Therefore, keeping the economic and environmental sustainability in view, this study indicates that a more field-based research is required to frame appropriate policies for flower cultivation to achieve sustainable socio-ecological development.

Esterification of Lutein from Japanese Knotweed Waste Gives a Range of Lutein Diester Products with Unique Chemical Stability

“…than cultivation of food crops such as maize ( Zea mays L.). 41 As the human population increases, this “flower cultivation” is being challenged in terms of socioeconomic sustainability, so new renewable sources of lutein are being actively sought. 42 We have recently shown that lutein extracted from the leaves of Japanese knotweed can be effectively used to prepare lutein diesters.…”

“…For example, cultivation of Tagetes erecta (marigold), the world’s most important natural source of lutein, is demanding and requires two to three times more energy and financial resources (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) than cultivation of food crops such as maize (Zea mays L.) . As the human population increases, this “flower cultivation” is being challenged in terms of socioeconomic sustainability, so new renewable sources of lutein are being actively sought .…”

Traditional food knowledge of local people and its sustainability in mountains of Uttarakhand State of India

“…Besides outmigration, crop-raiding by monkeys and wild boars are held responsible for discouraging farmers from raising crops (Kala 2014 ). The traditional crops have mostly been replaced by high-yielding varieties and cash crops like potato, soybean, kidney bean and pigeon pea (Maikhuri et al 1997 ; Nautiyal et al 2007 , 2013 , 2017 ). Moreover, many people in Uttarakhand have considered their traditional food systems as underprivileged; hence, they began to adopt the food systems from the nearby states, including Punjab.…”