Climate Smart Agriculture in India
- The two most significant problems facing humanity in the twenty-first century are food insecurity and climate change. According to reports, severe drought is occurring on the world’s southern continents as a result of climate change, which has a detrimental effect on agricultural output and farmers’ livelihoods.
Climate change’s effects on food systems:
- The greater demand for food is a result of both dietary changes and population growth. The productivity of conventional farming methods is declining due to climate change. To lessen the adverse effects of climate change, farmers are implementing a range of adaptation strategies.
- The simultaneous difficulties of climate change adaptation and mitigation, coupled with the urgent need to increase agricultural productivity by 60% by 2050 to meet food demand, necessitate a comprehensive approach.
Three pillars or aims make up CSA:
- Increase agricultural revenues and productivity in a sustainable manner
- Eliminate or minimise greenhouse gas emissions whenever feasible.
- Water smart, weather smart, energy smart, and carbon smart practices are some aspects of climate smart practices. They address land degradation, raise productivity, and enhance soil health.
Climate change’s future effects on agricultural productivity:
- India may see a 9% decrease in crop yield between 2010 and 2039 as a result of climate change. A major transformation of the agriculture industry is needed to mitigate climate change and sustainably increase agricultural revenue and output.
- The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations (SDG) seek to improve environmental management and end hunger; the cornerstone of CSA is the attainment of these objectives through sustainable rural development and agriculture.
- India’s adaptation efforts include climate resilient agriculture, as highlighted by the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- To maximise agricultural practices, programmes like the Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) use precision nutrient management. In India, the idea of precision farming is still relatively new.
Climate smart agriculture’s (CSA) benefits include:
- Agricultural diversification, improved water efficiency, and the integration of drought-resistant agricultural varieties are all encouraged by CSA, which helps mitigate the disruptive effects of climate change.
- The capacity of CSA to boost agricultural productivity while preserving ecological stability is crucial for long-term food security and sustainable resource use on a warming Earth.
- CSA improves resistance to long-term stressors including shorter seasons and unpredictable weather patterns by lowering exposure to climate-related hazards and shocks.
- CSA also contributes to farmers’ increased economic independence. The CSA drastically alters the economic and social structure of farming communities by disseminating knowledge about and facilitating access to climate resilient practices.
- Farmers, especially those who are already disadvantaged, stand to gain much from the adoption of climatesmart strategies as the climate changes. The growing acceptance of CSA is a positive sign for the preservation of biodiversity in the future.
- The ecosystem-based strategy and variety of crops offered by CSA promote coexistence between farmed and wild areas. This cooperative effort lessens the effects of habitat degradation, protects native plant species, and maintains stable pollinator populations.
Climate change and agriculture:
- CSA improves the carbon storage capacity of farmland. The success of the CSA is strongly linked to the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels via lowering GHG emissions.
- Two examples of CSA strategies that could assist India in fulfilling its international commitments and aiding in the global fight against climate change are agroforestry and carbon sequestration.
An exceptional point in time:
- Small or marginal farmers make up the bulk of Indian farmers. As a result, CSA can significantly contribute to their ability to grow profits.
- A few government programmes in India that concentrate on CSA are the Climate Smart Village, BiotechKISAN, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Vikas Yojana, Soil Health Mission, National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change, and National Innovation on Climate Resilient Agriculture.
- The implementation of CSA is also being pushed by a number of public and private sector institutions, including NGOs and farmer producer organisations (FPOs).
Way Forward:
- CSA combines innovation, resilience, and sustainability to provide food security, empower farmers, and safeguard our fragile ecosystems. The CSA’s trajectory is noteworthy as a source of transformation and inspiration for people worldwide striving to secure a sustainable future in the face of climate change.
