Agriculture is a combination of science and art, and it is a complex activity.
It is the cultivation of plants and livestock. One-third of the world’s workers are
dependent on agriculture. But in developed countries, over the centuries, the number of
agricultural workers has decreased significantly. In rural areas, agriculture is the largest
livelihood provider in India. The by-products of growing and raising livestock, food
crops, animal feed and biofuel crops are often considered as contaminants and released
into the environment, referred to as agricultural pollution. Many different sources cause
agricultural pollution. They are nitrogen-based fertilizers, chemical fertilizers,
pesticides, animal manure, industrial effluents, soil erosion and sedimentation, farm
animal waste and nutrient runoff. Water and lakes are mainly contaminated by
agricultural pollutants. Agricultural pollutants contaminate the soil and water.
Chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides first contaminate the groundwater and
consequently, drinking water. It contributes to health-related problems in humans.
Algal blooms in drinking water and swimming in water streams containing dangerous
algal blooms can cause rashes, stomach and liver problems, respiratory infections and
neurological effects. A blue baby syndrome is often caused in infants. It is due to high
levels of nitrates in drinking water. Agricultural pollution also causes heavy economic
losses. We should prevent agricultural pollution through planning and application of
fertilizers at the correct time, planting trees and shrubs around the boundaries of
farmlands, should avoid over tillage, managing the proper disposal of animal waste and
anaerobic digestion of animal waste. We should use bio-fertilizers, organic fertilizers,
bio-pesticides and manures to prevent agricultural pollution.
Keywords: Agriculture, Agricultural Pollution, Bio-Fertilizers, Contaminants,
Health Problems, Organic Fertilizers, Prevention, Sources.
