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

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. Diversification in food production and cultivating additional coarse cereals (millets) offer opportunities for green house gas (GHG) reduction in South Asian countries.image The present study explored the role of South Asian food crops and livestock in environmental degradation.Most studies assessed green house gas (GHG) emissions.Production of wheat, rice and livestock products contributed significantly to GHG emissions.Diversification in food production, cultivating coarse cereals such as millets is desirable.

Automated summary

Most studies focused on India, with greenhouse gas emissions being the main evaluation criteria, production of rice and wheat was identified as significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, South Asian countries should diversify food production and cultivate coarse cereals such as millets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.