Ashok Gulati & Ritika Juneja, Respectively distinguished professor and research fellow, ICRIER 

On October 16, the global community observed World Food Day under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future”, marking the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization. This theme underscores the collective responsibility to transform our food systems through collaboration among nations, businesses, farmers, policymakers, and scientists. Central to this transformation is regenerative agriculture—a holistic approach that restores soil health, enhances biodiversity, builds climate resilience, and promotes nutritional security.

This call for action could not be more urgent. Humanity’s footprint on this planet has grown exponentially, especially over the past two centuries. It took nearly 300,000 years for homo sapiens to reach a population of a billion by 1804, but only 123 years to reach two billion by 1927. The pace then quickened dramatically—humans multiplied by four times in less than 100 years, and today, it hovers around 8.2 billion. This rapid expansion has placed immense strain on this planet’s finite resources. Only 29% of Earth’s surface is land, and a mere 10.7% of that is cultivated. Soils, water, and ecosystems everywhere are under mounting pressure from overuse, pollution, and climate change.

India is fortunate to have 52% arable land. Yet, a rising population has depleted natural resources and led to environmental........

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