Hindu Editorial Analysis : 9-January-2024

The 21st century presents humanity with two critical challenges: climate change and food insecurity. The repercussions of climate change, including extreme weather events and disruptions to traditional farming practices, are threatening lives and livelihoods worldwide. The rising demand for food due to population growth and dietary changes exacerbates the problem of food insecurity.

Challenges Posed by Climate Change for Agriculture
  • Severe Drought Impact: Southern continents are facing severe drought, impacting agricultural production and farmers’ livelihoods.
  • Decline in Crop Yields: Climate change is causing a potential 9% decline in crop yields in India between 2010 and 2039.
Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) as a Solution

What is CSA?

Climate-smart agriculture emerges as a solution to address both climate change and food security. It focuses on three pillars: increasing productivity, adapting to climate change, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Dimensions of CSA Practices:

  • Water-smart
  • Weather-smart
  • Energy-smart
  • Carbon-smart
Implementing CSA Practices
  • Concrete Examples: Agroforestry, sustainable water management, and precision agriculture.
  • Global Adoption: CSA practices are not limited to any specific country and promote resilience and environmental friendliness.
CSA in India
  • Government Initiatives: National Adaptation Fund, Climate Resilient Agriculture Innovation, Soil Health Mission, and others.
  • Public and Private Sector Initiatives: Farmer-producer organizations, NGOs, and community-supported agriculture efforts.
Significance of CSA
  • Enhanced Output with Ecological Stability: Increases agricultural output while maintaining ecological stability for long-term food security.
  • Increased Resilience: Reduces exposure to climate-related dangers and shocks, enhancing resilience against longer-term stressors.
  • Economic Stability: Promotes economic autonomy among farmers by providing access to climate-resilient methods.
  • Uplifting Disadvantaged Farmers: Particularly beneficial for small and marginal Indian farmers, helping increase profits.
  • Reduced GHG Emissions: Essential for lowering greenhouse gas emissions, with the agricultural sector contributing 17% in 2018. Additionally, CSA aids in enhancing farmland carbon storage.
Why In News

Climate-smart agriculture, with its emphasis on sustainable practices and resilient farming methods, has the potential to assure food security, empower farmers, and protect our delicate ecosystems, fostering a harmonious coexistence between agriculture and the environment.

MCQs about Climate Change and Food Insecurity

  1. What are the three pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)?
    A. Sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes
    B. Enhance economic stability and promote dietary changes
    C. Increase greenhouse gas emissions and reduce resilience to climate change
    D. Ignore climate change impacts and maintain traditional farming practices
    Correct Answer: A. Sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes
    Explanation: CSA focuses on sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes, adapting to climate change, and reducing or removing greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. What is the significance of CSA in the context of global agriculture?
    A. It only emphasizes economic autonomy for farmers.
    B. It exclusively addresses climate change without considering food security.
    C. It increases agricultural output while maintaining ecological stability and promotes economic autonomy for farmers.
    D. It solely relies on traditional farming practices.
    Correct Answer: C. It increases agricultural output while maintaining ecological stability and promotes economic autonomy for farmers.
    Explanation: CSA plays a crucial role in increasing agricultural output, maintaining ecological stability, and promoting economic autonomy for farmers.
  3. How does CSA contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the agricultural sector?
    A. By increasing traditional farming practices.
    B. Through promotion of dietary changes.
    C. By enhancing farmland carbon storage and reducing/remove greenhouse gas emissions.
    D. By neglecting climate-related dangers.
    Correct Answer: C. By enhancing farmland carbon storage and reducing/remove greenhouse gas emissions.
    Explanation: CSA contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by enhancing farmland carbon storage and aiming to reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions.

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