Policy level engagement for Investment on scaling CSAPs at least one sub-national level government

There has been growing concern for policy level initiatives and investment priorities required for scaling climate smart agriculture practices (CSAPs). Over a period of 5 years (2013-2017), science based evidence has been generated on key scalable climate smart agriculture under the CCAFS flagship project on CSA in collaboration with CRPs on Wheat, Maize, Rice agrifood systems as well as range of partnerships (NARS, NGOs, Private Sector, Farmer organizations etc). CIMMYT-CCAFS in collaboration with number of sub-national, national and international stakeholders informed the key policy planners, Governments and development agencies on these CSAPs through several consultations, communication materials (policy brief, video, research articles etc), organizing several events (field days, travelling seminars, workshops, policy dialogues, training programs etc) and generated awareness among the different stakeholders. These systematic efforts have led to up scaling of CSAPs through their mainstreaming in investment programs to address the issue of natural resource degradation, environmental pollution and climatic risks. This document provides evidence base on policy level engagement process, partnerships and events for outscaling CSAPs by the sub-national governments and other key stakeholders

Low-cost quantification of greenhouse gas emissions in smallholder agro-ecosystem: a comparative analysis of methods

Quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) exchanges between agricultural field and the atmosphere is essential for understanding the contribution of various production systems to the total emissions, develop mitigation options and policies, raise awareness and encourage adoption. But, GHG quantification from smallholder agricultural landscape is challenging primarily because of the heterogeneity of production systems. Various methods have been developed over years to quantify GHG fluxes between agricultural ecosystem and atmosphere. In this paper, we reviewed and analysed the common methods with regard to their scale and precision of quantification, cost effectiveness, prospects and limitations focusing mainly on smallholder production systems. As most of the quantification methods depend on ground data and due to data deficit for smallholder systems, field measurement must be an essential part of GHG emission inventories under such systems. Chamber-based method is a principal approach for field level quantification under smallholder production system mainly because of its cost effectiveness, portability and adoptability under diverse field conditions. However, direct measurement of GHG for all mosaics of smallholder production landscape is impractical and therefore use of models becomes imperative. Here, selection of suitable models and their rigorous parameterization, calibration and validation under various production environments are necessary in order to obtain meaningful emission estimation. After proper validation, linking dynamic ecosystem models to geographic information system (GIS) helps estimating GHG emission within reasonable time and cost. Integration of different approaches such as chamber-based measurement to generate field data, simulation modelling by using empirical as well as process-based models coupled with use of satellite imagery may provide a robust estimate of GHGs emission than use of a single approach

A compendium of Technologies, Practices, Services and Policies for Scaling Climate Smart Agriculture in Odisha (India)

Stakeholders engaged in agricultural research for development (AR4D) are increasingly tackling risks associated with climate change in smallholder systems. Accordingly, development and scaling of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) are one of the priorities for all the organizations, departments and ministries associated with the farm sector. Having a ‘one-stop-shop’ compiled in the format of a compendium for CSA technologies, practices and services would therefore serve a guide for all the stakeholders for scaling CSA in smallholder systems. Bringing out a Compendium on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) for Odisha, India was therefore thought of during the workshop on ‘Scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture in Odisha’ organized at Bhubaneswar on 18-19 July 2018 by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in collaboration with Department of Agriculture (DoA) & Farmers’ Empowerment, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Rice Research Institute (ICAR-NRRI), Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) & International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) under the aegis of CGIAR Research program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). The main objectives to bring forth this compendium are: to argue the case for agriculture policies and practices that are climate-smart; to raise awareness of what can be done to make agriculture policies and practices climatesmart; and to provide practical guidance and recommendations that are well referenced and, wherever possible, based on lessons learned from practical action. CSA programmes are unlikely to be effective unless their implementation is supported by sound policies and institutions. It is therefore important to enhance institutional capacities in order to implement and replicate CSA strategies. Institutions are vital to agricultural development as well as the realisation of resilient livelihoods.They are not only a tool for farmers and decision-makers, but are also the main conduit through which CSA practices can be scaled up and sustained. The focus in this compendium is on CSA and it’s relevant aspects, i.e., (i) technologies and practices, (ii) services, (iii) technology targeting, (iv) business models, (v) capacity building, and (vi) policies. The approaches and tools available in the compendium span from face-to-face technicianfarmer dialogues to more structured exchanges of online and offline e-learning. In every scenario it is clear that tailoring to local expectations and needs is key. In particular, the voice of farmers is essential to be captured as they are the key actors to promote sustainable agriculture, and their issues need to be prioritized. CSA practices are expected to sustainably increase productivity and resilience (adaptation), reduce Greenhouse Gases (mitigation), and enhance achievement of national food security along with sustainable development goals. CSA is widely expected to contribute towards achieving these objectives and enhance climate change adaptation. CSA practices have to be included in State’s Climate Policy as a priority intervention as the state steps up efforts to tackle climate change. Furthermore, emphasis shoud be laid on CSA training for a sustainable mode to enhance CSA adoption in the state hence the relevance of developing this document. The adaption of climate related knowledge, technologies and practices to local conditions, promoting joint learning by farmers, researchers, rural advisor and widely disseminating CSA practices, is critical. This compendium brings together a collection of experiences from different stakeholders with background of agricultural extension and rural advisory services in supporting CSA. The contributions are not intended to be state-of-the art academic articles but thought and discussion pieces of work in progress. The compendium itself is a ‘living‘ document which is intended to be revised periodically

Climate-smart agricultural practices influence the fungal communities and soil properties under major agri-food systems

Fungal communities in agricultural soils are assumed to be affected by climate, weather, and anthropogenic activities, and magnitude of their effect depends on the agricultural activities. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the impact of the portfolio of management practices on fungal communities and soil physical–chemical properties. The study comprised different climate-smart agriculture (CSA)-based management scenarios (Sc) established on the principles of conservation agriculture (CA), namely, ScI is conventional tillage-based rice–wheat rotation, ScII is partial CA-based rice–wheat–mungbean, ScIII is partial CSA-based rice–wheat–mungbean, ScIV is partial CSA-based maize–wheat–mungbean, and ScV and ScVI are CSA-based scenarios and similar to ScIII and ScIV, respectively, except for fertigation method. All the scenarios were flood irrigated except the ScV and ScVI where water and nitrogen were given through subsurface drip irrigation. Soils of these scenarios were collected from 0 to 15 cm depth and analyzed by Illumina paired-end sequencing of Internal Transcribed Spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) for the study of fungal community composition. Analysis of 5 million processed sequences showed a higher Shannon diversity index of 1.47 times and a Simpson index of 1.12 times in maize-based CSA scenarios (ScIV and ScVI) compared with rice-based CSA scenarios (ScIII and ScV). Seven phyla were present in all the scenarios, where Ascomycota was the most abundant phyla and it was followed by Basidiomycota and Zygomycota. Ascomycota was found more abundant in rice-based CSA scenarios as compared to maize-based CSA scenarios. Soil organic carbon and nitrogen were found to be 1.62 and 1.25 times higher in CSA scenarios compared with other scenarios. Bulk density was found highest in farmers' practice (Sc1); however, mean weight diameter and water-stable aggregates were found lowest in ScI. Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties were found better under CSA-based practices, which also increased the wheat grain yield by 12.5% and system yield by 18.8%. These results indicate that bundling/layering of smart agricultural practices over farmers' practices has tremendous effects on soil properties, and hence play an important role in sustaining soil quality/health

Extent of knowledge and adoption of recommended wheat production practices among wheat growers in Malwa Region (M.P.)

Wheat is an important source of nutrition in our staple diet. Although farmers in northern India are growing wheat for a long time many farmers are lacking good knowledge of wheat and its new varieties production practices. The study was conducted to know the extent of knowledge and adoption of recommended wheat production practices among wheat cultivating farmers of the Malwa region. Nine farmers (3 big, 3 medium and 3 small farmers) were selected randomly from each (thirty-six) selected village of nine blocks of Hosangabad, Hadra and Sehore districts making a total of 324 wheat growers. Among the practicewise level of knowledge regarding recommended wheat production technology; method of storage (mean score- 2.30) was ranked first and selection and preparation of land (mean score-2.25) was ranked second. On the whole, the highest number of the wheat growers (46.29%) had a medium knowledge level of recommended wheat production practices while 41.66%had a medium level of adoption on the basis of their level of adoption of recommended technological practices of wheat crop cultivation

Framework Guidlines and Governance for Designing Local Adaptation Plan of Action to Mainstream Climate Smart Villages in India

Based on the extensive review of existing frameworks and practices on climate change adaptation and authors experiences in Indian context, this study presented BRIFFS (bottom-up, responsive, inclusive, flexible, forward-looking, and sustainable) as the major guidelines for developing LAPA. This study presented the major steps of LAPA with clear actions, activities and also tools that can be used in each step. The nine steps of LAPA are as follows: 1) Communicating climate change risks and adaptation measures at local level, 2) Assessment of climate risks and vulnerabilities and scoping of adaptation actions, 3) Prioritisation of adaptation options, 4) Formulation of LAPA, 5) LAPA integration in planning process, 6) Institutional arrangement to implement LAPA, 7) Implementation of LAPA, 8) Progress assessment of LAPA, and 9) Feedback and revision of LAPA

Designing CS Farming Systems towards Carbon-Neutral Sustainable Agriculture in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India

In the South India region, the inefficient use and mismanagement of production resources, especially land, water, energy and agro-chemicals, have vastly impacted health of the natural resource base resulting into global warming led climatic variability. Several climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) developed, refined and tested by several agencies and research organizations, demonstrated improved productivity, resilience and adaptive capacity for different commodities and agro-ecological zones within the region. However, the perception of farmers on climate vulnerability and responses of the CSAPs vary with bio-physical and socio-economic diversity of farm households. The lack of integration of bio-physical and socio-economic knowledge in technology targeting, limits the large-scale adoption by diaspora of farmers specially marginalized and women farmers. Therefore, development and targeting portfolios of CSAPs require in-depth understanding of the diversity of farming practices, and assessment of various interventions on the adaptive capacity of farming community as well as food security. Designing and applying adapted household survey to understand the diversity of farming systems in each location. The major cropping systems in Andhra Pardesh and Telanana, India are maize-maize and rice-maize where the farmer’s field size is very small comparatively. Conducted meetings and trainings with group of farmers in selected villages through demonstration of different interventions and distributed required implements to small holding farmers, trained them about LCC, GS and MNBS by experts. Also visited progressive farmers’ field and planned about the rabi sowing crop and shared to the data collection sheet and urea calculator

Farmers’ perspectives as determinants for adoption of conservation agriculture practices in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Understanding the farmer's perspective has traditionally been critical to influencing the adoption and out-scaling of CA-based climate-resilient practices. The objective of this study was to investigate the biophysical, socio-economic, and technical constraints in the adoption of CA by farmers in the Western- and Eastern-IGP, i.e., Karnal, Haryana, and Samastipur, Bihar, respectively. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to 50 households practicing CA in Western- and Eastern-IGP. Smallholder farmers (<2 ha of landholding) in Karnal are 10% and Samastipur 66%. About 46% and 8% of households test soil periodically in Karnal and Samastipur, respectively. Results of PCA suggest economic profitability and soil health as core components from the farmer's motivational perspective in Karnal and Samastipur, respectively. Promotion and scaling up of CA technologies should be targeted per site-specific requirements, emphasizing biophysical resource availability, socio-economic constraints, and future impacts of such technology

Conservation Agriculture: Gateway for Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Systems

The Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices with increased acceptance across the globe are being considered as harbinger for sustainable intensification of smallholder production systems. Its positive impact on natural resources, and adaptation to and mitigation of climate change effects are widely acknowledged. In developing world specially Asia and Africa, CA is a relatively new introduction and hence capacity development is vital for development, adaptation and scaling CA based technologies for impact at scale on smallholder farmers in these regions. The training objectives were centered on understanding Conservation Agriculture (CA) and its applications in Asia and Africa. The key findings from the training were that participants need more collaboration with educational institutions and stakeholders when it comes to new knowledge and information, that they would need to re-visit the research, education, and extension linkages vis-à-vis the CA practices, and that the information gained during the course had to cascade to students and the farming community. The participants were pleased that the CA practices was out and that they could begin to explore different areas they could implement on-site in their contexts. Furthermore, participants noted that the CA practices was a useful technology to their work situations. Finally, the participants stated that the partnerships they had with the different experts represented by the different institutions was paramount to the subsequent programs and activities, that would follow the CA practices