Coal Power’s Impact on India’s Rice and Wheat Crops
Context:
A recent study by researchers at Stanford University has revealed a significant, yet often overlooked consequence of coal-fired power plants in India—negative impacts on the country’s rice and wheat crops.
- The research highlights the role of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution from these plants in reducing agricultural productivity, particularly for staple crops.
Impact of Coal Power on Agricultural Yields
- Coal power plants in India are responsible for up to 10% loss in rice and wheat yields across several states.
- The monetised loss for wheat and rice reached up to $17,370 per gigawatt-hour (GWh) and $13,420 per GWh, respectively.
Role of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Pollution
- Nitrogen oxides, especially NO2, are a major pollutant from coal power plants.
- NO2 is phytotoxic, meaning it harms plant health by stressing crops and interfering with their cellular functions.
- The pollutants also contribute to the formation of ozone, which worsens crop damage and limits photosynthesis by reducing sunlight.
Satellite-Based Monitoring of Pollution
- Due to a lack of on-the-ground monitoring, the researchers used satellite data to track NO2 concentrations across India.
- By analysing vegetation indices derived from satellite imagery, the researchers linked the level of NO2 pollution to declines in crop health.
Tracking Crop Health Using Vegetation Index
- Researchers used a satellite-derived vegetation index (NIRv) to measure plant health.
- NIRv detects chlorophyll levels in crops, indicating how pollution affects plant greenness.
- The study established a direct link between NO₂ pollution and declining crop yields.
Wind Patterns and Regional Variations in Pollution: By analysing wind patterns, researchers identified differences in coal-related NO₂ pollution across states:
- Chhattisgarh had the highest NO₂ pollution from coal (19% in monsoon, 12.5% in winter).
- Uttar Pradesh had high NO₂ levels, but only a small portion came from coal power.
- Tamil Nadu had lower NO₂ pollution, but most of it was from coal plants.
Economic Losses Due to Coal Pollution: The financial damage to agriculture was measured in monetised loss per gigawatt-hour (GWh) of electricity generated:
- Wheat losses: $17,370/GWh (Rs 15 lakh per GWh).
- Rice losses: $13,420/GWh (Rs 11.7 lakh per GWh).
Targeting High-Pollution Power Plants for Maximum Gains: A small subset of highly polluting power plants causes the most damage. If targeted for pollution control, agricultural productivity could increase significantly:
- In West Bengal, 5.7% of cropland could see a 5-10% yield gain, while 1.66% could exceed 10% gains.
- In Madhya Pradesh, 5.9% of cropland could gain 5-10% yield, while 11.9% could see over 10% improvements.
Potential Boost in Rice and Wheat Production: If pollution control measures are implemented, India’s annual crop production could increase by:
- $420 million (Rs 3,500 crore) for rice.
- $400 million (Rs 3,300 crore) for wheat.
- Total potential gain: Rs 7,000 crore per year.
Coal’s Role in India’s Economy and Policy Implications
- Coal remains crucial for India’s energy needs, with the 2025-2026 Union Budget increasing allocations to the Ministry of Coal by 255%.
- However, India also faces food security challenges, ranking 105th out of 127 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index. Balancing energy and agriculture is vital.
Potential for Policy Improvements
- Researchers urge policymakers to consider the agricultural impacts of coal pollution when crafting regulations and investing in pollution-control measures.
- Installing pollution control equipment at high-pollution power plants could provide significant benefits to both the agricultural sector and public health.
Future Research Directions
- The researchers plan to continue studying the impact of coal-fired power plants on agriculture, expanding their research to explore other pollutants and their effects on crop productivity.
- The researcher is motivated by the poor air quality in New Delhi, which has spurred his interest in studying the broader effects of pollution on human and agricultural health.
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
