Environmental imprints of agricultural and livestock produce: A scoping review from South Asian countries

Abstract

BackgroundAgricultural activities in 2020 have resulted in 5.5 billion tons of CO2 equivalent globally, which is expected to rise because the food system would have to grow 70% more food for the population in 2050. Research suggests that agricultural productivity in South Asian countries, will increase food security; however, the role of their food crops and livestock products in environmental imprints is uncertain. This review aimed to assess the environmental impacts resulting from pre‐ and post‐production agricultural activities related to edible food crops and livestock products consumed in eight South Asian countries.MethodsStudies were retrieved using three databases (PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct) from 2011 to 2022. The protocol for this scoping review was not registered.ResultsTwenty‐seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in India. Twenty‐four articles assessed greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, followed by water footprints (n = 5), nitrogen and phosphorus (N&P) emissions (n = 4), and land requirements (n = 4). The production of rice and wheat was identified as a significant contributor to GHG emissions. In India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the production of livestock (meat/bovine/shrimp and milk) was reported to be harmful to the environment. Inconclusive data were retrieved for other environment variables.ConclusionsDiversification in food production and cultivating additional coarse cereals (millets) offer opportunities for GHG reduction. Nevertheless, more comprehensive and longitudinal studies for South Asian countries are essential to make precise conclusions and validate the present review.

Sustainability in dietetics means embracing complexity, contributing and collaborating

“…However, the higher cost of meat alternatives may be a barrier for some consumers. Sachdeva et al 8 and Ganpule et al 9 help us unpack how this message may vary in South Asian countries, highlighting that the focus on meat may not be the most important indicator of sustainable dietary patterns in this region. Ganpule et al 9 compared dietary patterns in North and South India to the Eat-Lancet guidelines, finding that the diets of their participants were already mainly plant-based, but that the rural poor fell well short of recommended fruit and vegetable intakes.…”

“…Diets that provide inadequate nutrient intakes, even if they do have lower greenhouse gas emissions, are not sustainable. Sachdeva et al 8 examined the data from primarily India on the environmental impacts of increasing food production, emphasising that while livestock (meat production) is problematic, the production of rice and wheat may be a more meaningful dietary pattern to target, and suggest diversification in production (and therefore also consumption) through incorporating coarse cereals such as millets as a way forward. In line with this, 2023 was declared by the FAO as the Year of Millets.…”