### 4.1 Strengthening Air Pollution Regulations
– Enforce strict NO₂ emission limits for coal plants.
– Install Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) to track real-time pollution levels.
– Strengthen the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to include agricultural impacts.
### 4.2 Promoting Renewable Energy
– Accelerate the transition to solar, wind, and hydro power to reduce coal dependency.
– Incentivize solar-powered irrigation systems to reduce reliance on thermal power plants.
### 4.3 Improving Pollution Control in Power Plants
– Mandate upgraded electrostatic precipitators to filter out fly ash and NO₂.
– Ensure timely adoption of FGD technology for reducing sulphur emissions.
### 4.4 Agroforestry and Sustainable Farming Practices
– Encourage afforestation near power plants to act as natural pollution filters.
– Train farmers in climate-resilient agricultural techniques to mitigate yield losses.
### 4.5 Policy Integration
– Consider crop impacts alongside health and greenhouse gas emissions in pollution control policies.
– Improve coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
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## 5. Conclusion
The study underscores the hidden cost of coal dependency, linking power plant emissions to agricultural losses. India must take a balanced approach**—ensuring **energy security, economic growth, and food security while adopting sustainable solutions. Effective pollution control, renewable energy adoption, and environment-friendly policies are essential to mitigate the impact of coal-fired power plants on agriculture.
Good content