Hindustan Times – Online

The application of razor-thin sheets of polyethylene film across farmlands began in the 1950s when agronomists noticed that it could successfully moderate soil temperature, limit weed growth and prevent moisture loss. All essential factors in crop production, this method was found to increase cotton, maize and wheat yields by an average 30%. The promise of increased yields at a relatively low cost formed a multi-billion dollar industry for agricultural plastics. According to Food and Agriculture Organization experts, agricultural value chains use 12.5 million tonnes of plastic products each year. Crop production and livestock combined accounted for 10.2 million tonnes (Mt) per year of plastics, followed by fisheries and aquaculture with 2.1 million tonnes and forests ...