Agro ecological restoration and fighting climate change
Agriculture can be an efficient tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, through carbon sequestration in soil. The carbon rich soil are healthier, better at storing water and can more readily cope with rising temperature and unpredicted monsoon.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL on Climate Change (IPCC) prediction of rise in sea levels up to 88cm this century resulting in sea water intrusion into the soils thus affecting the cropland seems becoming true as frequent salt intrusion into crop yard are a common occurrence. According to world report rice production in Orissa is going to decrease by 12 per cent.
Scope
Agriculture can be an efficient tool to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, through carbon sequestration in soil. The carbon rich soil are healthier, better at storing water and can more readily cope with rising temperature and unpredicted monsoon. The carbon efficient soils can help in increasing the yield and thus contribute to higher income of farmers.
Why we need to focus on this sector
In Orissa, majority of the population are small and marginal farmers to increase the productivity they are forced to go for external inputs which further aggravates the situation.
We must increase our productivity to cope with shifting weather pattern. We must minimise agriculture contribution to GHG emission by shifting from chemical to organic.
Agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change higher temperature reduces crop yields of desirable crops while increasing the proliferation of weeds and pests.
Climate change increases the food price which will result in increase of fodder at the same time and that will result in increase in meat prices.
Climate induced natural disasters have increased in both frequency and intensity which have increased the cases of erosion, salination thus decreasing the fertility of farmlands
We must increase our productivity to cope with shifting weather pattern. We must minimise agriculture contribution to GHG emission by shifting from chemical to organic.
Agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change higher temperature reduces crop yields of desirable crops while increasing the proliferation of weeds and pests.
Climate change increases the food price which will result in increase of fodder at the same time and that will result in increase in meat prices.
Climate induced natural disasters have increased in both frequency and intensity which have increased the cases of erosion, salination thus decreasing the fertility of farmlands
Steps need to be focused
- Promotion of traditional seeds;
- Minimising HYV and hybrid seeds because this seeds consume maximum pesticides and fertilisers which results in huge investment of water and electricity, consuming fossil fuels thus contributing emission of maximum GHG which results into global warming;
- Teach farmers about better land and water management, rain water harvesting practices in drought prone, coastal areas;
- Assistant farmers in adapting to climate change hazards, advise on climate change and its dire effects in their way of understanding and at the same time motivate them to become climate change warriors.
To educate farmers on the harmful impacts of exceeding N:P:K ratio than the normal agro economic efficiency (4:2:1).
Motivating people to go for organic agriculture than agrochemical farming as it has less carbon footprint.
Motivating people to go for organic agriculture than agrochemical farming as it has less carbon footprint.
Rediscovering traditional biopesticides and biofertilisers that are ecofrienldy in nature:
- Leaves of l papaya, castor and custard apple to make biopesticides;
- Cow urine and buttermilk can be used to make potions to keep the pest away;
- Neem and castor cakes to fight pest;
- Arthasashtra fresh cow dung with a little bit of honey and ghee used;
- Form a market chain for organic crops;
- Farmers to take advantage of the dry rabi season in the flood prone areas, should thought to supplement their income through non farm activities;
- To encourage tribes not to go for podu cultivation as it contributes to GHG emission rather go for intercrop, rotational cropping;
- Training on value addition of products such as in coastal areas where the livelihood focuses primarily on fishes there fish pickle can be an augmentation to their source of livelihood;
- Plantation of ecological as well as economical crops to be encouraged along with crops(agro forestry) tress such as bamboo, coconut, kia need to be encouraged as this will act both as bioshield and at the same time will augment the source of livelihood of poor farmers;
- Training on bamboo furniture, coir making, perfume extraction need to be provided as this will at least keep door open for poor farmers in case there is any crop failure or during flood any other calamities when the farmer is unable to cultivate his crops;
- Women group who are directly or indirectly involved in agricultural practices need to be addressed.
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