Eco-friendly farming in India: Strategies to reduce agriculture’s carbon impact
India, a country with a rich agricultural heritage, faces the dual challenge of feeding its massive 1.4 billion population while also reducing the environmental impact of farming. Agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) contributes approximately 22% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) Synthesis Report, which was released in 2023.
In India, the agricultural sector accounts for 11-12 % of total GHG emissions, with methane from rice paddies and livestock, nitrous oxide from fertilizers, and carbon dioxide from land use changes being the main culprits.
As India strives to meet its ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2070, the agricultural sector is critical to this transition. Also Read | Budget-Major expectations include PLI in agrochemicals and GST reduction on farm inputs
Organic farming is a sustainable alternative
Organic farming has gained popularity in India as a more sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture. Organic farming improves soil health and biodiversity by not using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
Sikkim, India’s first fully organic state, has seen significant environmental benefits, such as increased soil fertility and less water pollution.
In Sikkim, the transition to organic farming resulted in a 10% increase in soil organic carbon content, improving the soil’s ability to sequester carbon.
Furthermore, organic farms in the state have reported a 30% reduction in water usage compared to conventional farms, helping to conserve water and reduce energy consumption for irrigation.
The success of Sikkim’s organic transition has prompted other states, including Uttarakhand and Kerala, to follow suit.
Agroforestry integrates trees and crops
Agroforestry, the practice of integrating trees with crops and livestock, has shown promise for lowering carbon emissions, increasing biodiversity, and providing numerous economic benefits.
Trees in agroforestry systems sequester carbon, improve soil structure, provide shade, reduce wind erosion, and increase biodiversity. Agroforestry systems can also help farmers diversify their income by producing fruits, nuts, and timber.
In the Araku Valley, the Naandi Foundation has encouraged coffee farmers to practice agroforestry. Planting shade trees alongside coffee plants has resulted in a more resilient and productive ecosystem.
The trees sequester carbon, improve soil health, and generate additional income through fruit and timber, demonstrating agroforestry’s potential for carbon mitigation.
According to studies, Indian agroforestry systems can sequester an average of 25 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year, which is significantly higher than conventional monoculture systems.
Precision farming: Leveraging Technology
Precision farming optimises farm management by leveraging technologies such as GPS, sensors, drones, and data analytics. Farmers can use these tools to precisely apply water, fertilizer, and pesticides, thereby reducing waste and emissions. Precision agriculture ensures that inputs are used efficiently, which reduces environmental impact.
Farmers in Maharashtra, for example, use drip irrigation systems equipped with soil moisture sensors to deliver water and nutrients directly to plant roots.
Farmers in Punjab who use precision agriculture techniques report a 15% reduction in fertilizer use and a 20% reduction in pesticide application, resulting in cost savings as well as a reduced environmental impact.
The implementation of drip irrigation systems, guided by precision farming data, has resulted in water savings of up to 40% in water-stressed areas of the state. Also Read | Drones for precision farming: govt grants ₹10 lakh to ICAR institutes, KVKs, AUs
Crop Rotation and Intercropping
Crop rotation and intercropping are long-standing practices that have resurfaced as sustainable techniques. Farmers in Punjab who practice crop rotation with legumes reported a 15% increase in soil organic matter and a 10% reduction in fertilizer use.
The state’s efforts to diversify away from the traditional rice-wheat system teach valuable lessons in overcoming entrenched agricultural practices. A study in Uttar Pradesh discovered that intercropping pigeon peas with maize increased overall productivity by 30-40% while reducing nitrogen fertilizer requirements by 25%.
This practice improves soil fertility and offers natural pest control, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. The practice of intercropping legumes with maize in Karnataka has improved soil health through nitrogen fixation while also providing farmers with additional income from diverse crops.
Rainwater harvesting and effective irrigation
Water management is critical to sustainable agriculture. In Gujarat, drip irrigation has resulted in a 40% reduction in water usage and a 20% increase in crop yield.
The state’s Jal Sanchay Abhiyan (water conservation campaign) has been particularly successful, with over 100,000 check dams and traditional water harvesting structures restored.
In Rajasthan, rainwater harvesting techniques have increased groundwater recharge by 30%, allowing farmers to grow water-intensive crops in arid regions. Solar-powered irrigation pumps, promoted by the PM-KUSUM scheme, have reduced reliance on diesel pumps, lowering emissions and costs for farmers.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Integrated Pest Management uses biological, cultural, and mechanical methods to control pests while minimizing the use of chemical pesticides.
In Tamil Nadu, IPM practices reduced pesticide use by 50% while increasing crop yields by 15%. The state’s Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative, which promotes IPM and other sustainable practices, has been particularly successful.
A study in Maharashtra’s cotton-growing regions discovered that IPM practices reduced pesticide use by 70% while maintaining or even increasing yields, resulting in a lower carbon footprint for pesticide production and input costs.
Vermicomposting: Converting Waste into Wealth
Vermicomposting uses earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-dense compost. In Karnataka, vermicomposting has increased crop yields by 25% while lowering fertilizer costs by 30%.
The state’s Sujala Watershed Project has helped to promote vermicomposting among small and marginal farmers. A study in Madhya Pradesh discovered that farms using vermicompost increased their soil organic carbon content by 0.5-0.7 percent per year, significantly increasing the soil’s carbon sequestration potential.
Vermicomposting has also provided an additional source of income for many rural women, promoting both economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.
Sustainable Livestock Management
Livestock farming emits a significant amount of methane, primarily from enteric fermentation in ruminants and manure management. Improved feed quality, rotational grazing, and methane digesters are examples of sustainable practices that can help to reduce emissions.
In Rajasthan, improved fodder varieties and rotational grazing practices have helped to reduce livestock methane emissions. Furthermore, biogas plants that convert manure into renewable energy are being built, providing a clean energy source while lowering GHG emissions from manure decomposition.
Conservation tillage
Conservation tillage minimizes soil disturbance, preserves soil structure, and increases carbon sequestration. Traditional plowing reduces soil carbon and emits CO2 into the atmosphere.
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In contrast, conservation tillage allows organic matter to build up in the soil, increasing its carbon storage capacity.
Farmers in the Indian state of Punjab, for example, who use zero tillage in wheat cultivation have reported higher soil organic carbon levels as well as lower fuel consumption and plowing costs. This method promotes water retention and reduces erosion, which improves soil health and resilience.
Conclusion
The global community can learn valuable lessons from India’s journey toward sustainable agriculture. The success of organic farming in Sikkim, agroforestry in Andhra Pradesh, and precision farming in Maharashtra demonstrates how these practices can increase productivity while lowering environmental impact.
By implementing and expanding these eco-friendly farming strategies, India can significantly reduce its agricultural carbon footprint while ensuring food security and enhancing farmers livelihoods.
However, the transition to sustainable agriculture necessitates significant investment in infrastructure, technology, and farmer education, which will undoubtedly reap numerous benefits in the future and is thus well worth the investment!
Government support in the form of policies, subsidies, and incentives is critical to accelerating t
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