Context:
Farmers in Madhya Pradesh who follow regenerative farming methods find that they reduce the need for frequent irrigation, which conserves water and energy.
Relevance:
GS III: Agriculture
Dimensions of the Article:
- What is Regenerative Agriculture?
- Advantages of Regenerative Agriculture
- What are Indian Efforts to Promote Regenerative Agriculture?
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
- Regenerative agriculture is a holistic land management approach to food and farming systems that emphasizes:
- Building topsoil
- Increasing biodiversity
- Improving water cycles
- Enhancing natural ecosystems
- Increasing the ability of farmland to withstand climate fluctuation
- Strengthening the health and vitality of farms
- The goal is to increase the resiliency of farms while restoring the vitality of the land and the people and animals that eat the crops.
- Regenerative Agriculture is modeled after nature’s own healthy ecosystems and can revitalize the livelihoods and communities that engage with the land, now and for generations to come.
- The practice of Regenerative Agriculture is in collaboration with nature, rather than a struggle against it, and necessitates treating all life with respect.
Advantages of Regenerative Agriculture
- Regenerative agriculture improves the resources it uses, rather than destroying or depleting them.
- It advances sustainable agriculture by aiming to not only develop but also maintain resources like soil and water.
- Healthy soil aids in better water transfer, filtration, and agricultural runoff, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
- A healthy soil contributes to higher water use efficiency by storing, transmitting, filtering, and reducing agricultural runoff.
- According to studies, every 0.4 hectare with a 1% increase in soil organic matter has a greater capacity to store water by more than 75,000 litres.
- Regenerative farming techniques reduce the energy required by irrigation equipment like pumps.
How is India promoting regenerative agriculture?
- National Organic Farming Project:
- The Indian Institute of Farming System Research (ICAR) in Meerut has been conducting the nation’s longest experiment on organic farming since it began in 2004.
- Systematic Rice Intensification:
- A technique that increases yields by planting seeds farther apart and using organic manure.
- Zero-Budget Natural Farming:
- It is also referred to as Subhash Palekar Natural Farming and places a strong emphasis on creating and using inputs created from fruit, cow dung, and urine, among other things, as well as crop residue.
-Source: Down to Earth
