Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Major Crops – Cropping Patterns in various parts of the country, – Different Types of Irrigation and Irrigation Systems; Storage, Transport and Marketing of Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints; E-technology in the aid of farmers.

Context
Due to the effects of climate change, conventional farming methods are experiencing reduced productivity. Farmers are encountering heightened risks due to climate change, leading them to reassess their approaches. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) emerges as a comprehensive framework offering a viable alternative in this context.

Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 25 November 2023

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Agriculture in India

• Historical Roots:
  • Agriculture in India traces its roots back to the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Evidence suggests early agricultural practices in some regions of Southern India before the Harappan era.
• Economic Significance:
  • Over 70% of rural households in India depend on agriculture.
  • Agriculture contributes approximately 17% to the total GDP.
  • Employment is provided to around 58% of the population.
  • Two-thirds of the working population in India are engaged in agricultural activities.
• Growth Trends:
  • Foodgrains production increased from 51 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 250 million tonnes in 2011-12.
  • The share of agriculture in GDP increased from 17.8% in 2019-20 to 19.9% in 2020-21.
  • The last time the sector contributed 20% to GDP was in 2003-04.

Climate Impact on Agriculture:

• The future impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity are anticipated to be significant.
• In India, there is a projected crop yield decline due to climate change, and estimates suggest it could be as high as 9% between 2010 and 2039.
• Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events pose a significant threat.
• India’s agricultural growth is jeopardized by frequent dry spells, heat waves, and erratic rainfall.
• Balancing the need for enhanced food production with the imperative to control and reduce GHG emissions from agriculture is a pressing challenge.
• Farming activities contribute significantly to methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
• Livestock, responsible for 44% of methane emissions, and nitrogen fertilizers contribute to 53% of nitrous oxide emissions.

Agricultural Impact on Climate:

• Farming activities release methane and nitrous oxide, potent greenhouse gases.
• Methane is produced by livestock and released during digestion and from stored manure.
• Nitrous oxide emissions result from the use of nitrogen fertilizers, threatening water quality.
• Monoculture, along with pesticides and herbicides, leads to biodiversity loss.
• Soil degradation and the destruction of natural ecosystems impact wildlife, biodiversity, and micro-climates.
• The agricultural sectors’ high-water consumption can contribute to water scarcity and drought.
• Flooding in agricultural regions devastates crops, accelerates soil erosion, and pollutes water sources.

Climate Smart Agriculture as a Solution

• Farmers are implementing various adaptation measures to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
• The dual challenges of adaptation and mitigation underpin the need for a holistic strategy.
• Agricultural production must rise by 60% by 2050 to meet the growing food demand.
• Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) emerges as a viable option, providing a comprehensive framework.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defined CSA in 2019 as an approach transforming food and agriculture systems.
• CSA supports sustainable development and safeguards food security under climate change challenges.

What is Climate-smart agriculture (CSA)

• Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a strategic approach guiding the transition of agri-food systems toward environmentally friendly and climate-resilient practices.
• Objectives of CSA:
  • CSA involves three main objectives:
    • sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes.
    • adapting and building resilience to climate change.
    • reducing or removing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions where feasible.
• Key Dimensions of Climate-Smart Practices:
  • Climate-smart practices encompass various dimensions, including water-smart, weather-smart, energy-smart, and carbon-smart practices.

Features of Climate-Smart Agriculture

• CSA focuses on bolstering the resilience of agricultural systems against the impacts of climate change.
  • This entails adopting techniques and practices to assist crops, livestock, and farmers in adapting to evolving climatic conditions such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves.
• Emphasis on increasing agricultural productivity while minimizing negative environmental impacts.
• Encourages efficient use of natural resources such as water and nutrients, along with adopting agroecological practices for preserving or enhancing ecosystem services.
• Promotes biodiversity conservation, regeneration of degraded areas, and integrating trees and vegetation into farming systems to enhance ecosystem processes.
• Aims to enhance the resilience of farming communities to climate-related shocks.
• Focuses on diversifying revenue sources, encouraging alternative livelihood options, and building social safety nets to improve farmers’ adaptive capacity.
• CSA endeavors to diminish greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originating from agricultural activities.
• Promotes practices that improve carbon storage in soils, decrease animal emissions, and optimize fertilizer use to minimize nitrous oxide emissions.
• Recognizes the significance of favorable policies, institutions, and financial tools for embracing and expanding climate-smart practices.
• Calls for the inclusion of CSA principles in national agricultural strategies, financial incentives, and the enhancement of research and extension services.
• Underscores the necessity for dependable and timely information for decision-making within CSA.
• Encourages the adoption of climate information services, early warning systems, and farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange to empower farmers in making enlightened decisions.
• Acknowledges the varied roles, requirements, and capacities of individuals, both men and women, engaged in agriculture under the CSA framework.
• Promotes gender equality and social inclusion by ensuring women’s accessibility to resources, information, and active participation in decision-making processes.

Various Practices:

Enhancing Crop Productivity:

• Intercropping for Efficiency:
  • Utilize intercropping to optimize space, control pests, and cultivate cash crops.
• Crop Rotation and Resilient Varieties:
  • Rotate crops with legumes and introduce resilient varieties for sustainable farming.
• Storage, Processing, and Mulching:
  • Adopt improved techniques for storage, processing, and mulching to enhance crop management.
• Wind Damage Reduction:
  • Stake plants to reduce wind damage and explore the cultivation of underground crops.

Livestock Management Strategies:

• Feeding and Grazing Practices:
  • Implement cut-and-carry feeding and rotational grazing for effective livestock management.
• Crops for Animal Feed:
  • Grow suitable crops with proper management to provide nutritious animal feed.
• Manure Treatment and Husbandry:
  • Focus on manure treatment, improve overall livestock health, and enhance husbandry practices.

Sustainable Soil and Water Management:

• Conservation Agriculture:
  • Practice conservation agriculture, contour planting, and mounding for soil health.
• Barriers and Encasement:
  • Utilize grass and stone barriers, check dams, and bed encasement for effective water management.
• Water Storage and Irrigation Improvement:
  • Implement water storage methods like rainwater harvesting and improve irrigation using techniques such as drips.

Agroforestry and Biodiversity:

• Tree Planting for Sustainability:
  • Plant boundary trees, windbreaks, nitrogen-fixing trees, and multipurpose fruit trees to enhance biodiversity.

Efficient Energy and Resource Utilization:

• Integrated Food Energy Systems:
  • Explore biogas, improved stoves, solar power, and energy-efficient irrigation methods for sustainable farming.

Major Challanges

• Awareness and Comprehension Barrier: The adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) faces challenges due to a lack of awareness and understanding among farmers.
• Financial Constraints for Farmers: Farmers, especially those in impoverished nations, encounter financial constraints, struggling to secure funding for implementing climate-smart practices.
• Lack of Cooperation Among Agencies: Insufficient cooperation among government agencies, lax enforcement of regulations, and unclear land tenure systems hinder the widespread adoption of CSA practices.
• Challenges in Climate Data Availability: The implementation of climate-smart agriculture is hindered by a lack of reliable climate data and information, making it challenging to make informed decisions.
• Impact of Climate Change on Resource Scarcity: Climate change has the potential to exacerbate resource scarcity, making it more challenging for farmers to access the necessary resources for implementing climate-smart practices.
• Scalability and Adaptability Concerns: Certain climate-smart practices may face challenges in scalability and adaptability across diverse settings, requiring context-specific approaches and innovative solutions.

Government Initiatives:

• NICRA (National Innovation on Climate Resilient Agriculture):
  • Initiated in 2011 by ICAR, it aims to enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture to climatic variations through advanced production and risk management technologies.
• NAPCC (National Action Plan on Climate Change):
  • Outlined to enable India to adapt to climate change and improve ecological sustainability, emphasizing a high growth rate for better living conditions and lowered vulnerability. Organized around eight “National Missions.”
• NMSA (National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture):
  • Part of NAPCC, promoting sustainable agriculture through initiatives like Soil Health Card, Mission Organic Value Chain Development, and Rainfed Area Development.
• NAFCC (National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change):
  • Formed to cover climate change adaptation costs for vulnerable Indian states and union territories, supporting real adaptation measures in various industries, including agriculture.
• CSV (Climate-Smart Villages):
  • An institutional strategy for implementing CSA at the local level, addressing climate issues across the entire spectrum of farm activities.
• PMSKY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna):
  • Aims at water conservation and management in agriculture, expanding irrigation with the motto ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’ for improved water use efficiency.
• PKVY (Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana):
  • An extended component of SHM under NMSA, promoting organic farming through an organic village-by-cluster approach for improved soil health.
• Biotech-KISAN:
  • A scientist-farmer partnership initiative for agriculture innovation, connecting science laboratories with farmers to implement creative ideas and technologies.
• National Livestock Mission:
  • Launched in 2014-15, it focuses on livestock development through a sustainable approach, protecting the environment, ensuring biosecurity, and conserving animal biodiversity while supporting farmers’ livelihoods.

The Way Forward

• Government Initiatives:
  • Prioritize and expand government initiatives like the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change, National Innovation on Climate Resilient Agriculture, and others to ensure financial security for farmers.
• CSA Adoption for Small Farmers:
  • Recognize the pivotal role Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) can play in enhancing profits for small and marginal Indian farmers, making it essential for sustainable agriculture.
• Public and Private Sector Collaboration:
  • Foster collaboration between public and private sector entities, including farmer-producer organizations and NGOs, to collectively work towards the widespread adoption of CSA.
• Policy Integration:
  • Design and implement policies that explicitly support and integrate CSA into national agricultural strategies, providing a framework for sustainable practices.
• Research and Development Investment:
  • Invest in research and development to create climate-resilient crop varieties, innovative cropping systems, and climate information services, ensuring informed decision-making for farmers.

References

The Hindu
Lok Sabha Secretariat

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Practice Question

Farmers are implementing various adaptive measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change. In light of this, discuss the role of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in addressing the challenges posed by climate change in Indian agriculture.