Climate smart agriculture in cereal systems of Indo-Gangetic plains

Abstract

In India, rice-wheat (RW) system has played a significant role in achieving food security of the nation but these achievements were accompanied by problems of resource degradation (soil, water, energy) in Indo-Gangetic plains. The current approaches of RW production are ecologically intrusive, economically and environmentally unsustainable; the problems which seems to be aggravated by the changing climate in the region. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)- based sustainable intensification of cereal systems may help in managing the natural resources in the region by improving the adaptive capacity of cereal systems to ensure food security while mitigating the environmental footprints. CSA-based system also improved soil health (SOC- 100% after 5 years with full residue
recycling), proved more resilient to climatic risks like temperature stress, water stress and untimely rainfall compared to conventional system. CSA is in accordance with G20 agriculture working group agenda to address the major issues of sustainable development and climate change mitigation in the bread basket of the country.