An alarming study carried out by Professor Huan Zhong of Nanjing University in China has shown that plastic fragments on the ground are harming crops like wheat, rice, and corn. In the course of conducting research for two years, researchers found that such tiny fragments of plastic suppress photosynthesis (the process by which plants make food) and deprive plants of absorbing nutrients from the ground. This slowly suffocates plants and inhibits their growth and survival.
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Globally, this damage has already decreased crop production by 4% to 14%. The situation is deteriorating in China, India, and Pakistan, where plastic contamination in farm fields continues to rise due to human activities. These nations face a two-pronged threat: their populations are growing at a very high rate, but farm production is decreasing due to climate issues, soil erosion, and now plastic contamination.
Experts indicate that extreme action has to be taken to stop plastic waste in agriculture. Unless extreme action is taken to stop plastic pollution, future generations in these nations might face severe food shortages and hunger. Saving agricultural land from plastic has become a matter of utmost importance to ensure food for millions.