Some perceive agriculture as an environmental enemy. According to researchers, these ills do not necessarily have to come hand in hand with agricultural development. Between 10 and 24 percent of all irrigated land, for example, suffers from salinization caused by overirrigation. In India, about 7 million hectares of land have been abandoned because of salts. What is needed, according to Hazell, is better design and management of irrigation systems, fewer subsidies on fertilizers and pesticides, development of economic incentives to reduce excessive use of water and chemical inputs, regionally diversified crop breeding programs, and farmer education on safe application, storage, and disposal of pesticides.
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