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Erratic weather patterns have impacted the
To tackle the intricacies of India’s agriculture and
A valuable tool for analysing significant changes in a system is the “water of systems change” framework FSG, a global nonprofit consulting firm. This framework identifies six interdependent conditions—policies, practices, resource flows, relationships, power dynamics, and mental models—that collectively shape and influence social and environmental progress within a system. These conditions may vary in visibility to individuals within the system due to their explicitness.
It’s akin to wearing special glasses that reveal how things are evolving. Imagine two fish conversing, and one asks about the water they’re swimming in. The second fish, having always been immersed in water, doesn’t even understand the concept. Similarly, as people endeavour to enact significant changes in systems, they are starting to recognise the “water” they’ve been immersed in all along. This framework aids in understanding how a system is structured, including its rules and practices, the interactions and collaborations among individuals, and the overarching ideas and goals guiding the entire system.
Applying the framework to the Indian agricultural context reveals a multitude of barriers hindering the transition toward climate-resilient, resource-efficient, and regenerative agriculture.
First and foremost, there exists a substantial challenge in overcoming the lack of evidence demonstrating the efficacy and benefits of agroecology practices. Traditional methods deeply entrenched in agricultural practices make farmers hesitant to adopt new approaches without clear proof of their advantages. Additionally, an underdeveloped ecosystem for inputs, implements, and infrastructure poses a significant obstacle. Inadequate access to bio-inputs essential for agroecological farming, coupled with a lack of well-established supply chains, impedes farmers’ ability to embrace more sustainable practices.
Furthermore, the inadequate availability of patient capital emerges as a critical barrier. Farmers require financial support for investments in new technologies and sustainable practices, but the absence of patient capital options tailored to the longer gestation periods of these practices hampers their adoption. Disincentives within the policy and institutional landscape, such as subsidies favouring conventional farming over sustainable alternatives, further deter the transition. Suboptimal organisation of value chains and networks, coupled with unclear regulations and market linkages, presents challenges in making climate-resilient agriculture economically viable.
Lastly, the absence of well-defined criteria for ecological safety and people-centric transitions adds complexity, emphasising the need for a comprehensive approach to address these multifaceted challenges in the journey towards
When it comes to agriculture, the people involved often have a good understanding of how different parts work together. What they may struggle with is knowing how fast or slow things are changing in different areas. Looking at the bigger picture and understanding how things are moving – like what’s gaining momentum and what’s getting stuck – can lead to new ways of tackling shared problems.
For instance, the promotion of millets clashes with the on-farm activities incentivised the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, favouring other crops like rice. Similarly, underlying trends such as the increasing migration of youth from agriculture bring attention to systemic challenges, questioning assumptions about the role of rural youth in facilitating the transition to sustainable practices.
Employing systemic approaches goes beyond specific tools for system diagnosis. While these methods are valuable, they don’t guarantee change, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The process itself holds value, fostering connections among participants and deepening understanding.
Adopting a systemic perspective involves concurrent efforts across various levels of the food system, including reshaping consumer narratives, addressing value chain infrastructure gaps, and implementing policies safeguarding safety nets while providing incentives for transition. These initiatives establish interdependent feedback loops crucial for a profound and timely transformation of the food system. Moreover, a systems-oriented approach requires rethinking and restructuring institutions. In the
Moving forward, India’s food system should aim to achieve multiple goals, including providing affordable nutritious diets for all, implementing decarbonised and ecologically sustainable land use, ensuring equity, and fostering resilience for farmers and workers. Employing systemic practices to comprehend and navigate evolving dynamics while maintaining an ambitious vision of transformative change is imperative.
Yamini Srivastava and Hansika Singh are Principal Strategists at Forum for the Future.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are of the author/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of Business Insider India. The article has been partly edited for length and clarity.