Index for sustainable agriculture

1. Index for sustainable agriculture A relative perspective

2. We need a relative approach

3. The measure for energy:: CALORIE

4. Straight to the index for SUSTAINIBILITY Factor for sustainable agriculture: S S = (E1 – E2)/AT Where: E1 Total energy earned from the crop. E2 Total energy used for cultivation A Area utilized T Time required to grow the crop A practicable unit for S can be: Kcal per square meter per day

5. A close eye view to Energy earned. • From a crop we earn two types of commodity, i.e., Edible and non-edible stuff • Let edible energy is Es and non-edible is Ec • We propose a relationship between Es and Ec as Ec = x.Es where x is a fraction. x can be taken as constant ( average) or specific for crops. E1 = Es + Ec = Es + xEs = Es (1 + x) = x1Es where x1 = x + 1 , another constant.

6. Two types glucose chains

7. Energy spent for cultivation • Energy required to maintain the seed, say Ei • Energy required for cultivation, say Eii • Labor, say Eiii • Agricultural inputs and their carriage. Say Eiv • Energy spent for irrigation. say Ev • Other contributors. Say Evi

8. Land, time and other natural resources • In our consideration a the energy available naturally like rain and sunlight is not considered as energy spent. • Land and time are natural resources though both of them are constrained by the need of the civilization and any sustainable program needs to utilize land and time in a very efficient manner, hence they are incorporated in the equation.

9. The final form of the equation: • With all the consideration the equation now should be looking as: • S =( x1Es - ∑Ei-v)/AT Wh ere S = index/factor for Sustenance x1= constant specific for crop Es = Calorific value of the crop ∑ Ei = Sum of energy spent A = Area used T = Crop cycle

10. Justification of this indexing • Agriculture is a practice which must not be market driven. • Our proposed indexing may justify which crop to grow. The real benefit can be actually modeled. • Agricultural inputs can be testified in term of energy pay back. • In case of excess production this model is workable for bio-fuel economics. • Bankers or FIs can invest on sustenance rather than profitability.

11. continued.. The production of many agricultural inputs are very energy intensive , like urea. Even more energy is expended to distribute that to the agricultural fields. Urea is a subsidized commodity. Can the excess growth due to urea, justify the energy payback? Should Bio-fertilizer be subsidized for the energy payback. These question will have more direct answers.

12. Novelty, Innovation and Invention have tremendous scope • The value of ‘S’ need to be increased • Larger ‘S’ means more sustenance more efficiency. • Agriculture is an ever innovative process started in Stone-age. • We need innovation to increase the ‘S’. • Organic farming promises a big ‘S’ • We need to measure ‘S’ before implementation.

13. Nitrogen cycle

14. Agriculture must sustain for tomorrow • Should we cultivate our roof tops? • Trees grown on a ship to produce the energy for its movement. • Can this concept be fused with other index like ‘human development index’ • Should we take our salary in calorie instead of Rupee.

15. This concept needs your help