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Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

How rice farmers can cut methane and make money off it

Explained | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia,Different Types Of Irrigation & Irrigation Systems

Introduction

Rice cultivation traditionally relies on continuous flooding, creating anaerobic soil conditions conducive to methane-producing bacteria. Given that over 86% of Indian farmers are small and marginal, scalable, low-cost mitigation practices are essential. Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) comes across as a practical solution that reduces emissions without yield loss, supported by empirical data from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.

Why in the News?

Paddy cultivation contributes 28% of global methane emissions, with methane having 28 times the global warming potential of COâ‚‚ over 100 years. The article highlights a first-of-its-kind, farmer-level implementation in India where Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) reduced methane emissions while enabling farmers to earn carbon credits. Unlike earlier mitigation efforts focused only on productivity, this approach integrates climate finance, water conservation, and income generation, marking a structural shift in rice farming practices.

Why Does Traditional Paddy Cultivation Produce High Methane Emissions?

  1. Continuous Flooding: Maintains 4-5 cm water depth for the first 65 days of the crop cycle.
  2. Anaerobic Conditions: Support methanogenic microbes that decompose organic matter.
  3. Emission Intensity: Methane is 28 times more potent than COâ‚‚ in warming potential.
  4. Global Impact: Paddy cultivation accounts for 28% of global methane emissions.

What Is Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)?

  1. Irrigation Technique: Periodic drying of fields instead of continuous flooding.
  2. Operational Threshold: Irrigation resumes when water level falls to 15 cm below soil surface.
  3. Adoption Window: Implemented after first 20 days of transplantation.
  4. Institutional Support: Promoted by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

How Does AWD Reduce Methane Emissions Without Yield Loss?

  1. Aeration of Soil: Disrupts methane-producing microbial activity.
  2. Water Savings: Reduces irrigation requirement significantly.
  3. Yield Stability: No statistically significant reduction in grain output.
  4. Ancillary Benefits: Lower weed pressure and improved nutrient efficiency.

What Evidence Supports the Effectiveness of AWD in India?

  1. Field Study: Conducted across 30 sites in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
  2. Emission Reduction: Methane emissions reduced by 20-40%.
  3. Water Use: Comparable decline in irrigation water requirement.
  4. Scalability: Validated across varied agro-climatic conditions.

How Are Farmers Monetising Methane Reduction?

  1. Measurement: Acrylic chambers used to quantify methane emissions.
  2. Verification: Samples analysed in accredited laboratories.
  3. Carbon Credits: 1 carbon credit = 1 tonne COâ‚‚ equivalent.
  4. Earnings: â‚ą1,300-â‚ą7,000 per farmer per season depending on region.
  5. Aggregation Model: Credits pooled and sold to international buyers.

What Institutional Models Are Enabling This Transition?

  1. Climate Tech Intermediaries: Facilitate monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).
  2. Carbon Markets: Buyers include energy-intensive global corporations.
  3. Corporate Partnerships: Shell Energy India supported AWD adoption.
  4. Scale: Over 12,000 farmers across 13 states integrated.

Conclusion

The article demonstrates that methane mitigation in rice farming is technically feasible, economically viable, and scalable. By linking irrigation practices with carbon markets, AWD represents a paradigm shift where climate action strengthens farm incomes rather than constraining them.

Value Addition

Scale of Methane Emissions from Agriculture

  1. Global Share: Agriculture contributes ~40% of global anthropogenic methane emissions.
  2. India’s Context: Agriculture is the largest source of methane emissions in India, exceeding energy and waste sectors.
  3. Paddy Cultivation: Responsible for ~28-30% of global agricultural methane emissions.
  4. Livestock: Enteric fermentation from ruminants contributes ~32-35% of agricultural methane.
  5. Climate Impact: Methane has ~28-34 times higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) than COâ‚‚ over 100 years and ~80 times over 20 years.

Other Proven Models to Cut Methane Emissions in Agriculture

  1. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)
    1. Mechanism: Eliminates continuous flooding by sowing seeds directly.
    2. Outcome: Reduces methane emissions by 20-50%.
    3. Co-benefits: Lower water use, reduced labour costs.
    4. Limitation: Higher weed management requirement.
  2. System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
    1. Mechanism: Wider plant spacing, intermittent irrigation, younger seedlings.
    2. Outcome: Reduces methane emissions due to improved soil aeration.
    3. Productivity: Often increases yield with lower input intensity.
    4. Constraint: High skill and labour precision required.
  3. Mid-Season Drainage
    1. Mechanism: Temporary drainage during tillering stage.
    2. Outcome: Interrupts anaerobic conditions, suppressing methanogenesis.
    3. Adoption: Practiced in parts of East Asia and Southeast Asia.
    4. Risk: Needs precise timing to avoid yield stress.
  4. Straw and Residue Management
    1. Mechanism: Avoids incorporation of fresh organic matter in flooded fields.
    2. Outcome: Reduces methane formation from anaerobic decomposition.
    3. Best Practice: Composting or biochar conversion of rice straw.
  5. Biochar Application
    1. Mechanism: Alters soil microbial activity and improves aeration.
    2. Outcome: Reduces methane emissions while enhancing soil carbon storage.
    3. Co-benefit: Improves soil fertility and water retention.
  6. Feed Additives in Livestock (Complementary Model)
    1. Examples: Seaweed-based additives, 3-NOP compounds.
    2. Outcome: Reduce enteric methane emissions by 20-80%.
    3. Status: Pilot-stage in India; commercial use expanding globally.
  7. Market-Based Methane Mitigation Instruments
    1. Carbon Credits: 1 credit = 1 tonne COâ‚‚ equivalent avoided.
    2. Aggregation Models: Smallholder emissions pooled for viability.
    3. Buyers: Energy, aviation, cement, and data-centre industries.
    4. Trend: Shift from voluntary offsets to high-integrity, agriculture-based credits.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2020] What are the major factors responsible for making the rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success, how has this system become a bane in India?

Linkage: The article directly addresses the environmental externalities of flooded paddy cultivation, especially methane emissions and water stress, which constitute the “bane” aspect of the rice-based system. 

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