August 14, 2023 | IRRI | Source
The article highlights the importance of implementing climate-smart rice production technologies to address climate change, increase rice yields, ensure sustainable agriculture, and enhance long-term food security. Despite rice being a staple food for over half of the world's population, including a significant portion of India's population, rice production faces various challenges. Inadequate management practices, improper use of agricultural inputs, and the impacts of climate change are negatively affecting natural resources and global food security.
Severe climatic conditions, such as droughts, floods, and high temperatures, are causing crop failures and impacting the livelihoods of Indian farmers. Unsustainable agricultural practices, including the burning of crop residues and excessive greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbate these challenges.
To address these issues, there is a need to transition from unsustainable agricultural practices to climate-smart and sustainable approaches. Climate-smart agriculture envisions transforming agricultural systems to support development and food security in a changing climate. Several climate-resilient and resource-efficient technologies can enhance the profitability and sustainability of rice production systems. These technologies include alternate wetting and drying, mechanized direct-seeded rice (DSR), laser land leveling, and integrated weed and crop residue management.
For example, mechanized DSR offers numerous benefits, including water savings, reduced labor, lower production costs, increased net profits, reduced drudgery, and shorter crop durations. These advantages enable early rice harvesting, timely seeding of subsequent crops like wheat, chickpea, and mustard, and contribute to sustainable agriculture.
Developing and implementing climate-smart rice production technologies not only helps combat climate change but also aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Zero Hunger and Climate Action. This approach has the potential to double farmers' income, enhance food security, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
