Kerala is set to become the first state in the country to implement carbon-neutral agricultural practices in selected places, for which the government has budgeted 6 crores in the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Carbon-neutral farming will be introduced at 13 farms under the Agriculture Department and tribal regions in the first phase, and plans are underway to transform the State Seed Farm at Aluva into a carbon-neutral farm. In the second phase, model carbon-neutral farms will be constructed in all 140 Assembly constituencies.
Agriculture Minister P. Prasad said in the Assembly on Wednesday that the government believed carbon-neutral farming was the need of the hour for environmental balance, greater health, and the safe sustenance of future generations.
Prasad responded to P.S. Supal's motion drawing attention to the importance of carbon-neutral agriculture by saying the government was exploring forming special committees at the local and state level to coordinate and assess activities related to it.
Climate change had to have an impact on agriculture as well as the environment. The State was now suffering from the effects of global warming and climate change, as indicated by the recent unpredictably high rain and flooding, as well as the impending severe drought.
New Farming Methods will Enhance Soil Health
The Agriculture Department was involved in a gradual implementation of innovative farming technologies to decrease carbon emissions and aid carbon storage in the soil. In this regard, the government has already begun discussions with specialists.
Enhancing soil health through integrated farming methods, crop rotation, fertigation, precision farming methods, shifting how the soil is irrigated, and restricting the haphazard use of fertilizer application were all important for preventing soil degradation and therefore reducing the carbon footprint in agriculture.
Prasad stated that in order for the soil to retain carbon, it must be healthy and fruitful. As a result, the government would engage with farmers to raise awareness of the need of enhancing soil health through climate-smart agriculture methods.
