Discuss the steps needed to increase the impact and reach of the various agriculture technology missions, such as the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology, and the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil ...
Climate change events like erratic monsoon patterns, heat stress due to temperature extremes, changes in pest and disease patterns, reduced water availability, etc. affect agricultural production and productivity. According to a study by the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture, raiRead more
Climate change events like erratic monsoon patterns, heat stress due to temperature extremes, changes in pest and disease patterns, reduced water availability, etc. affect agricultural production and productivity. According to a study by the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture, rain fed rice yields in India are projected to reduce by less than 2.5% in 2050 and 2080 and irrigated rice yields by 7% in 2050 and 10% in 2080 scenarios. Further, wheat yields are projected to reduce by 6-25% and maize yields by 18-23% in 2100.
To meet the challenges posed by climate change, while also meeting food and energy needs in an environmentally and socially sustainable way, climate smart water saving agri-technologies are becoming popular around the globe.
This is due to their significance in the following ways:
- Adapting to climate change: Climate smart water saving agri-technologies help to improve water management practices, using which farmers can maintain crop productivity even under changing climatic conditions.
- Water conservation: Irrigation can be improved through micro irrigation, mulching, use of water absorbents, etc. to maintain soil moisture. The use of these water-saving irrigation practices reduces the consumption of water by 25-85 percent.
- Saving energy: Renewable energy can be used as an alternative, especially for petroleum products used for on-farm irrigation pumps. It may also lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions from such conventional on-farm irrigation pumps. For example, use of solar water pumps and solar sprays.
- Sustainable resource management: Climate smart water saving agri-technologies promote sustainable management of water resources. These technologies can minimise the dependency on groundwater, thus ensuring its sustainable use. In this regard, India is the largest user of groundwater in the world with over 60 percent of irrigated agriculture and 85 percent of drinking water supplies dependent on aquifers.
- Enhanced crop yield: Water saving technology like sub-surface irrigation can be used to enhance water-use efficiency, as it uses a buried diffuser that supplies water directly to the root zone and is 15-20 per cent more efficient than drip irrigation, thus enhancing crop productivity.
- Reduced input costs: These technologies can help reduce labour costs for farmers, thus lowering the input cost. Once installed, they require very little labour to operate, allowing farmers to focus on other tasks such as crop management and harvesting.
Though climate-smart water-saving agri-technologies are significant, their implementation and widespread adoption face several challenges like cost and affordability, lack of awareness about these technologies, etc. It is necessary to make these technologies available, accessible and affordable for farmers. Also, an integrated approach needs to be implemented in agricultural water management through adoption of innovative measures such as water harvesting, micro-irrigation and resource conservation farming to increase water-use efficiency in agriculture.
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Evaluation of Technology Missions in Agriculture Introduction Technology missions in agriculture are pivotal in addressing the challenges of low productivity, climate change, and resource depletion. Programs such as the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), the National Mission on AgriRead more
Evaluation of Technology Missions in Agriculture
Introduction
Technology missions in agriculture are pivotal in addressing the challenges of low productivity, climate change, and resource depletion. Programs such as the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET), and the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) aim to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. This evaluation explores their effectiveness and discusses measures required to bolster their impact and reach.
National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
Measures for Enhancement:
National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET)
Measures for Enhancement:
National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)
Measures for Enhancement:
Conclusion
The technology missions in agriculture, including NMSA, NMAET, and NMOOP, play a crucial role in addressing challenges such as low productivity, climate change, and resource depletion. While these missions have achieved notable successes, challenges remain in terms of adoption rates, coverage, and geographic limitations. Enhancing their effectiveness requires increased awareness and training, improved funding and infrastructure, expanded reach, enhanced coordination, and continued investment in research and development. Addressing these areas will help maximize the impact of these missions and support sustainable agricultural development in India.
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