Regenerative agriculture, an approach focused on enhancing and restoring natural ecosystems, is emerging as a pivotal strategy for sustainable farming in India. With approximately 60% of India's population dependent on agriculture and about 50% of the country's land area classified as agricultural land, integrating regenerative practices is crucial for sustainable development and climate mitigation.
India has about 159.7 million hectares of agricultural land, which accounts for roughly 52% of the total land area. Despite its vast agricultural resources, Indian farming faces significant challenges, including soil degradation, water scarcity, and declining biodiversity. Traditional farming practices often exacerbate these issues, making the shift to regenerative agriculture imperative.
Agroforestry:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Cover Cropping and Intercropping
Composting and Organic Amendments
Carbon Trading and Soil Carbon Measurement: Developing reliable soil carbon measurement technologies and integrating carbon trading platforms.
Cover Crops and Composting: Scaling up the use of cover crops and composting to enhance soil organic matter and fertility.
Agroforestry Approaches: Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes to enhance carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
Efficient Livestock Integration: Integrating livestock into farming systems to improve soil fertility and reduce methane emissions.
Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in Andhra Pradesh
ZBNF promotes chemical-free farming, focusing on soil health and biodiversity. Practiced on over 500,000 hectares, ZBNF has sequestered approximately 2.5 tons of CO2 per hectare annually, translating to 1.25 million tons of CO2 sequestration across 500,000 hectares.
Deccan Development Society (DDS) in Telangana
DDS focuses on sustainable agriculture through community-based initiatives and biodiversity enhancement. DDS initiatives sequestered approximately 2 tons of CO2 per hectare annually, impacting over 10,000 hectares and sequestering 20,000 tons of CO2 annually.
Araku Valley Coffee Project
A unique initiative in Andhra Pradesh where tribal farmers practice organic coffee cultivation under the shade of diverse forest species, enhancing both livelihoods and forest cover. This project has covered over 100,000 hectares and has improved the socio-economic status of more than 100,000 tribal families.
Regenerative agriculture offers significant potential for decarbonization in India. By adopting holistic practices that enhance soil health, biodiversity, and water efficiency, India can sequester substantial amounts of CO2, improve agricultural productivity, and support sustainable livelihoods. The cumulative impact of these efforts could lead to an annual reduction of 200-250 million tons of CO2 by 2030, playing a critical role in India's climate action and sustainable development goals.
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