The focus on sustainable farming practices has gained momentum globally, and India is no exception. Recently, the Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), launched a ‘Compendium of Regenerative Agriculture’. This initiative aims to scale regenerative agricultural practices across the region, emphasizing soil health and sustainability.
What Is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is a holistic farming approach aimed at enhancing soil health, improving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. Unlike conventional methods, RA focuses on restoring ecosystems rather than depleting them.
Key Principles of Regenerative Agriculture
Minimizing Soil Disturbance
Reduces excessive ploughing to retain carbon in the soil.
Enhances the soil’s ability to absorb water, reducing runoff and erosion.
Maximizing Crop Diversity
Encourages biodiversity, which improves soil health and pest resistance.
Maintaining Soil Cover
Protects the soil from erosion and nutrient loss by using cover crops or mulch.
Keeping Living Roots Year-Round
Promotes continuous organic matter inputs into the soil.
Integrating Livestock
Adds organic manure and helps manage crop residues effectively.
Significance of Regenerative Agriculture
Improved Crop Yields: Healthier soil leads to better nutrient availability and higher productivity.
Water Retention: Enhanced soil structure retains water, making crops resilient to drought.
Reduction in Soil Erosion: Soil cover and minimal disturbance prevent topsoil loss.
Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides mitigates emissions.
Odisha’s Initiative for Regenerative Agriculture
The ‘Compendium of Regenerative Agriculture’ by the Odisha government and ICRISAT aims to:
Provide guidelines and success stories for scaling RA practices.
Promote farmer awareness and capacity-building programs.
Integrate regenerative practices into state agricultural policies.
Global Relevance of Regenerative Agriculture
Climate Change Mitigation: RA sequesters carbon in the soil, contributing to global efforts against climate change.
Food Security: By improving soil fertility and water retention, RA ensures sustainable food production.
Alignment with SDGs: Supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to zero hunger, climate action, and life on land.
Practice Question
With reference to Regenerative Agriculture (RA), consider the following statements:
RA involves minimal soil disturbance to enhance carbon retention in the soil.
Livestock integration in RA is primarily aimed at increasing crop biodiversity.
RA practices contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct; minimal soil disturbance helps in carbon sequestration.
Statement 2 is incorrect; livestock integration is aimed at improving soil fertility and organic matter content, not directly increasing crop biodiversity.
Statement 3 is correct; RA reduces greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing dependence on chemical inputs.
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