India’s rice fields rank among world’s top methane sources, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• Global greenhouse gas emissions from paddy fields have nearly doubled since the 1960s, reaching 1.1 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent annually in 2011-2020.
• A study published in Nature Food identified methane from flooded fields and the loss of soil organic carbon as primary drivers of this increase.
• India, the world's top rice producer, contributes significantly, with its eastern paddy fields identified as global methane hotspots.
• Indian irrigated paddy fields release 3.9 million tonnes of methane annually, comparable to Germany's total methane emissions.
• The National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project promotes the 'System for Rice Intensification' (SRI) technique to reduce emissions.

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Detailed Insights:

• The increase in emissions is partly due to the loss of soil organic carbon, with over a third of paddy fields worldwide losing carbon by the 2010s.
• Factors like increased area under cultivation (25% since 1970s), continuous irrigation, residue incorporation, and nitrogen fertilizer use contribute to India's high emissions.
• Projections indicate a 25% increase in annual emissions globally between 2031 and 2050, driven by global warming and erratic rainfall.
• Researchers suggest a combination of improved irrigation, optimized fertilizer use, residue management, and reduced tillage could cut global rice-related GHG emissions by 10% by mid-century.
• Farmers face reluctance in adopting low-emission techniques due to labor shortages, lack of technical knowledge, and changing rainfall patterns.
• The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) advocates for a regional approach considering topography, soil, irrigation, and farmer needs.
• The KERA-AWD project in Kerala is establishing processes for low-emission rice systems in specific regions like Thrissur kole lands.
• Experts emphasize crop diversification and integrated interventions, including extension services and procurement support, to reduce reliance on paddy cultivation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2-e): A metric used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential.
• System for Rice Intensification (SRI): An agro-ecological methodology for increasing the productivity of irrigated rice by changing the management of plants, soil, water, and nutrients.
• Crop Diversification: The practice of growing a variety of crops in the same area to reduce risks and improve soil health and environmental sustainability.
• Soil Organic Carbon: The carbon component of organic matter in soil, crucial for soil health, fertility, and carbon sequestration.