The use of plastics in agriculture

New Delhi: Unfazed by state bans and disposal worries, the agriculture ministry is voting for plastics. It is actively promoting it, saying plastics are essential for efficiency in agriculture, while its environment counterpart is struggling with solutions to waste disposal problem.
Brushing aside doubts, the agriculture ministry is set to host a five-day international conference, starting Thursday, on plasticulture—the use of plastics in agriculture—and precision farming.
On Wednesday, agriculture secretary Radha Singh made her ministry’s position clear. Plastic, she said, has come in for environment “bashing’’ with some states even taking the “extraordinary step’’ of banning it, but “there is no way we can enter into scientific agriculture or precision farming without plastic’’. It’s used in drip and sprinkler systems, mulching (preventing evaporation), greenhouses, growing plants and seedlings. “We need to enhance and upscale usage,’’ said Singh.
Discarding plastic because you haven’t been able to deal with waste disposal is like throwing out the baby with the bathwater, argues Singh.
Singh’s ministry is all set to promote use of plastic. With water shortages being reported from different states, the ministry will head to the cabinet with a proposal to give a 50% subsidy for micro-irrigation—drip and sprinkler systems which can save up to 45% water. It’s looking at subsidy of Rs 850 crore, with 10% contributed by states.