Context : Key Findings from the Study
- Yield Loss: Coal-fired power plants reduce rice and wheat yields by up to 10% in several states.
- Primary Cause: Nitrogen oxides (NO₂) from coal plants are phytotoxic, causing cellular stress in plants and affecting enzymatic activities.
- Impact of NO₂:
- Contributes to ozone formation, worsening crop damage.
- Produces particulate matter, reducing sunlight for photosynthesis.
Relevance : GS 3(Agriculture , Environment)
Methodology of the Study
- Conducted by Stanford University researchers, led by Kirat Singh.
- Used satellite data (TROPOMI) to track NO₂ concentration across agricultural regions.
- Used Near-Infrared Reflectance of Vegetation (NIRv) as a proxy for plant health.
- Analysed wind patterns to differentiate coal pollution from other sources.
Regional Impact
- Chhattisgarh: Highest coal-related NO₂ pollution (19% in monsoon, 12.5% in winter).
- Uttar Pradesh: High NO₂ levels but only a small portion from coal.
- Tamil Nadu: Low NO₂ levels, but majority from coal power.
- West Bengal: 5.7% of cropland near coal plants could see 5-10% yield increase if coal-related NO₂ is eliminated.
- Madhya Pradesh: 5.9% of cropland could gain 5-10% yield; 11.9% could gain more than 10%.
Economic Impact
- Estimated ₹7,000 crore annual gain from reduced NO₂ pollution:
- ₹3,500 crore ($420 million) increase in rice production.
- ₹3,300 crore ($400 million) increase in wheat production.
- Targeting a few highly polluting plants can significantly benefit agriculture.
Policy Implications
- Coal power is crucial for India’s energy needs (255% budget increase for Ministry of Coal in FY 2025-26).
- Need for pollution-control policies balancing energy and food security.
- Strategic installation of pollution-control equipment in high-impact coal plants could maximize agricultural benefits.
- Findings could aid policymakers in prioritizing power plants for emission reduction measures.
Future Research Directions
- Further studies on the impact of other coal pollutants on agriculture.
- Identifying optimal locations for emission control investments.
- Exploring alternative energy solutions to reduce reliance on coal while sustaining agricultural productivity.
