Need for Climate-Smart Agriculture in India

1. Climate change

Climate change, also known as global warming, refers to the long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system. It is primarily caused by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, causing the planet to warm.

Key Impacts of Climate Change

• The average global temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius since the pre-industrial era, and it is projected to continue rising. This warming is causing a range of impacts, including more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers and ice sheets.
• Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires. These events can cause widespread damage to property, infrastructure, and agriculture, and they can also pose a risk to human health and safety.
• As the planet warms, glaciers and ice sheets are melting, and thermal expansion of seawater is causing sea levels to rise. This is threatening coastal communities and ecosystems around the world.
• The oceans are absorbing about a quarter of the carbon dioxide that humans release into the atmosphere. This is causing the oceans to become more acidic, which is harming marine ecosystems.
• Climate change is already having a significant impact on biodiversity. Species are migrating to new areas, and some are becoming extinct.

Mitigating Climate Change

• The most important thing we can do to mitigate climate change is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This can be done by transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing deforestation.
• We also need to adapt to the impacts of climate change that are already happening. This includes things like building seawalls to protect coastal communities from rising seas, developing drought-resistant crops, and improving early warning systems for extreme weather events.

Pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture

1. Sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes.
2. Adapting and building resilience to climate change.
3. Reducing or removing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions where feasible.

• Various dimensions of climate-smart practices include water-smart, weather-smart, energy-smart, and carbon-smart practices, all contributing to enhanced productivity, addressing land degradation, and improving soil health.
• Anticipated substantial crop yield decline in India, potentially reaching up to 9% between 2010 and 2039 due to climate change.
• Recognizing the looming threat, there is a growing need for radical reforms in the agriculture industry to combat climate change while ensuring sustainable agricultural output and revenue.
• Aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, CSA aims to eradicate hunger and enhance environmental management.
• The foundation of CSA lies in achieving these global goals through the promotion of sustainable agriculture and rural development.
• India's National Action Plan on Climate Change underscores the pivotal role of climate-resilient agriculture in the country's adaptation measures.
• Initiatives like the Soil Health Card Scheme leverage precision nutrient management to optimize agricultural methods, contributing to climate resilience.
• While precision farming concepts, such as those offered by certain private companies, are gaining traction, their scope remains limited in India.
• The adoption of precision farming practices holds immense potential for revolutionizing agriculture, enhancing productivity, and mitigating climate change impacts.

Community-Supported Efforts

• The importance of CSA in minimizing and adapting to the impacts of climate change on agriculture is gaining worldwide recognition. This has led to a global surge in community-supported agriculture efforts aimed at establishing resilient and environmentally friendly agricultural systems.
• Concrete examples of CSA practices in action include advancements in agroforestry, sustainable water management, and precision agriculture, which are not limited to any one country. CSA promotes crop diversification, enhances water efficiency, and integrates drought-resistant crop varieties, all of which help mitigate the disruptive effects of climate change.
• CSA's significance lies in its ability to increase agricultural output while maintaining ecological stability. This correlation is not only a desired outcome but rather essential for long-term food security and sustainable resource utilization in a warming planet.
•  By reducing exposure to climate-related hazards and shocks, CSA enhances resilience in the face of long-term stressors like shorter seasons and erratic weather patterns.
• A significant outcome of CSA implementation is the increasing economic autonomy of farmers. CSA causes a dramatic transformation in farming communities' economic and social structure by disseminating information about and providing access to climate-resilient methods. As the climate changes, farmers, particularly those already disadvantaged, can benefit immensely from adopting climate-smart techniques.
• The growing popularity of CSA is a promising indicator for the future of biodiversity conservation. CSA's ecosystem-based approach and diverse crop varieties help cropland and wild regions coexist harmoniously. This collaborative effort helps safeguard native plant species, maintain stable pollinator populations, and mitigate the effects of habitat degradation.
• The agricultural sector also produces a significant amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs), accounting for 17% of global GHG emissions in 2018. Therefore, CSA implementation is crucial for lowering GHG emissions and protecting biodiversity.
• CSA contributes directly to the success of the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming by reducing GHG emissions. Agroforestry and carbon sequestration are two examples of CSA measures that could help India meet its international obligations and contribute to the global fight against climate change.
• CSA is more of a flexible concept with a wide range of potential applications rather than a rigid set of rules. However, the most challenging aspect of addressing global warming is developing localized responses. Therefore, investing in capacity-building programs and providing practical CSA tools and knowledge is essential.
• Due to dwindling production resources and increasing demand for agricultural products, resource-efficient farming is crucial for coping with climate variability. CSA makes significant contributions to climate adaptation, mitigation, and food security.
• Studies on various climate-smart techniques used in India demonstrate their ability to improve agricultural production, enhance agricultural sustainability and reliability, and reduce GHG emissions. A study from the northwest Indo-Gangetic Plain for wheat production shows that site-specific no-tillage is advantageous for fertilizer management and can boost yield, nutrient usage efficiency, and profitability while lowering GHG emissions.

• The majority of Indian farmers are small or marginal, making CSA adoption crucial for improving their livelihoods.
• CSA can help these farmers increase their productivity, reduce input costs, and enhance market access, leading to improved income and economic stability.
• India's position at the intersection of climate vulnerability and agricultural importance makes CSA adoption not just desirable but essential.
• The country's reliance on agriculture for food security and its susceptibility to climate change impacts necessitate a shift towards sustainable and resilient practices like CSA.

3. Government Initiatives Promoting CSA in India

• The National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) supports climate change adaptation projects in agriculture, including CSA initiatives.
• National Innovation on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) focuses on developing and disseminating climate-resilient agricultural technologies, including CSA practices.
• The Soil Health Mission aims to improve soil health, which is essential for CSA implementation.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) focuses on enhancing irrigation efficiency, which is crucial for water-smart CSA practices.
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVKY) promotes organic farming, which aligns with CSA principles.
• Biotech-KISAN provides training and support to farmers on the use of biotechnologies for CSA.
• Climate Smart Village demonstrates CSA practices at the village level.

4. Conclusion