Holding the agriculture and forestry sectors responsible for contributing nearly one-third of the total green house gas (GHG) emissions, a United Nations body has suggested greater allocation of resources for promoting better practices in these sectors to combat climate change.
The GHG emissions from the forestry and agriculture account for over 30 per cent of the current annual total emissions. Of this, nearly 17.4 per cent emissions emanate from deforestation and forest degradation and 13.5 per cent from agriculture.
Where individual GHGs are concerned, about 50 per cent of the total methane releases come from the farm sector, basically from the paddy fields and livestock. Similarly, 75 per cent of the nitrous oxide that goes into the environment annually is emitted from the agricultural fields where nitrogenous fertilisers are applied.
Citing these estimates, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Assistant Director-General Alexander Muller said the farmers and forest dwellers could actually be made to become key players in reducing GHG emissions.
About 40 per cent of the land-based biomass is directly or indirectly managed by the farmers, foresters or livestock owners. “The international community can win the global battle against climate change, if we succeed in mobilising the potential of these land users to reduce GHG emissions and in sequestering carbon in soil and plants. We have to adapt to climate changes that are of greater intensity and rapidity than in the past,” Muller added.
“Unlocking the potential of agriculture and forestry for the mitigation of climate change requires financing mechanisms targeting farmers and foresters around the globe, particularly small-scale land-users in developing countries,” he said. Otherwise, climate change would adversely affect the lives and livelihood of farmers, forest users and fishermen, many of whom were already facing difficulties in earning sufficient income to feed their families.
Farmers, especially those living in the already environmentally fragile areas, faced an immediate and ever-growing risk of increased crop failures and loss of livestock. Fishermen could face hardships due to reduced availability of marine and aquaculture fish. The output of forest produce would also decline to the detriment of the forest dwellers.
There are several possible interventions that can help reduce the outflow of environment injurious gases from the agriculture and forest sectors. These include the use of more efficient crop varieties, better control of wild fires, improved natural resource management, restoration of land through controlled grazing, organic soil management and conservation agriculture and agro-forestry systems.
Besides, promotion of measures like capturing of biogas from animal manure and efficient use of fertilisers can help reduce environment degradation while, at the same time, enhancing the capacity to adapt to the climate change.
