In the heart of India’s Indo-Gangetic Plain, a region known for its intensive rice-based systems, farmers face a daunting challenge: how to balance productivity with sustainability. High energy use, excessive greenhouse gas emissions, and unsustainable groundwater exploitation are pressing concerns. However, a recent study published in *Energy Nexus* (translated to English as “Energy Nexus”) offers a promising path forward through climate-smart agriculture practices (CSAPs).
Led by Hanuman Sahay Jat, a researcher at the ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) in Karnal, Haryana, and the ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) in Ludhiana, Punjab, the study evaluates the productivity and environmental footprints of various farming scenarios. The goal? To foster environmental stewardship while maintaining, or even enhancing, agricultural yields.
The research team analyzed six different scenarios, ranging from conventional tillage practices to more innovative approaches like zero tillage and subsurface drip irrigation. The results were striking. “We found that the CSAPs scenarios outperformed conventional practices in key performance parameters,” Jat explains. “This includes significant improvements in yield, water productivity, and energy use efficiency.”
One scenario, in particular, stood out: zero tillage maize-zero tillage mungbean with subsurface drip irrigation (ZTMWM-SSD). This approach achieved the highest rice equivalent yield, a 22.2% increase over conventional practices. It also resulted in a 35.6% increase in total system yield and a 69.7% improvement in nitrogen use efficiency. “This reflects significant gains in nitrogen use efficiency,” Jat notes, highlighting the potential for reduced input costs and environmental impact.
The study also revealed substantial improvements in water productivity and energy use efficiency. The water footprint was lowest in the ZTMWM-SSD scenario, a dramatic reduction compared to conventional practices. Energy dynamics showed that this scenario was the most efficient, with the highest energy use efficiency recorded.
In terms of environmental sustainability, the CSAPs scenarios exhibited a lower system net global warming potential, reflecting a significantly reduced carbon footprint. “These results highlight the potential of CSAPs to enhance productivity and profitability while minimizing environmental impacts,” Jat states.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As the world grapples with climate change and the need for sustainable practices, this research offers a roadmap for balancing agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship. It underscores the importance of adopting climate-smart agriculture practices, not just in India but globally.
The study’s findings could shape future developments in the field, encouraging farmers and policymakers to embrace innovative practices that reduce energy use, conserve water, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. As we look to the future, the lessons from this research could be instrumental in creating a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.
In the words of Jat, “This is not just about improving yields; it’s about ensuring the long-term viability of our agricultural systems and the environment that supports them.” And in doing so, it’s about securing a sustainable future for generations to come.