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Sustainable intensification in eastern gangetic plains of South Asia via conservation agriculture for energy, water and food security under climate smart management system

Rice cultivation in the South Asian region of Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) is running out of water, labour, low productivity and profitability. In addition, this system of crop production often ignores CO2-equivalent greenhouse-gas emissions, which are often rather significant. Although a dominant food-producing region in Asia is becoming poor in crop production, crop management approaches based on conservation agriculture-based sustainable intensification (CASI) increase the crop yields and improve profitability while lowering the water, energy and labour requirements, as well as greenhouse-gas emissions. The use of CASI approaches in EGP region villages and districts enhances crop diversification and intensifies their production. It also facilitates employment opportunities and micro entrepreneurship in rural areas. In on-farm experiments traditional and improved approaches in rice-based cropping systems were compared. We discovered that CASI management approaches increased the crop yields by 10%, reduced labour demand by 50% and increased water and energy productivity by 19% and 26% respectively. Overall, these findings showed that using CASI lowered crop production costs by up to 22% and raised gross margins by 12–32% compared with traditional methods. CASI management also resulted in CO2-equivalent emissions that were between 10% and 17% lower than those with traditional management. Initially, this principal research was collaborated on with farmer support groups for further extension. To encourage CASI adoption and out-scaling on a scale outside of research domains, an actively supporting policy environment was required

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Farmer’s perception of climate change and adaptation strategies under temperate environmental conditions of Kashmir, India

A study was conducted in nine different topographical locations of Kashmir valley to know the perception of the farmers about climate change. Adaptation and mitigation strategies adopted by the farmers were also documented over a specified period viz., 1980-2019. Results from the observed data revealed warming trends in all seasons, however, winter and spring season temperatures have shown statistically significant increasing trends at the rate of 0.040C/year. Analysis of seasonal and annual precipitation data shows a decreasing trend at the rate of -4.5 mm/ year. The farmers in the study areas had perceived that the climate has changed for the last four decades. Increasing temperature, frequent droughts and less snowfall were the main visual parameters experienced by the farmers. About 30-35% of the farmers have adopted different strategies by default to mitigate ill effects of climate change. However, the majority of the farmers (70%) have not adopted any strategy to cope up with the impacts of climate change. Farmers (>90%) have stressed on provision for an early warning system, timely supply of inputs, provision of financial support and nutrients for soil enrichment as viable options to combat the ill effects of climate change. 

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population