Kerala has set aside Rs 6 crore for carbon-neutral farming methods in the 2022-23 Budget. With this, the state is set to become the first in the country to introduce carbon-neutral farming methods in selected locations.
- In the first phase, carbon-neutral farming will be implemented in 13 farms under the Agriculture department and tribal areas, and steps are on to convert the State Seed Farm at Aluva a carbon-neutral farm.
- In the second phase, model carbon-neutral farms will be developed in all the 140 Assembly constituencies.
Methods
- Improving soil health through integrated farming methods, rotation of crops, adoption of fertigation, precision farming methods, changing the ways in which the soil is irrigated and limiting the indiscriminate use of fertilizers were important for preventing soil degradation and thus reducing carbon footprint in agriculture.
- For the soil to retain carbon, it needed to be healthy and fertile and hence the government would work with farmers to create awareness of improving soil health through climate-smart agriculture practices.
What is Carbon Neutral?
- Carbon neutrality means having a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks. Removing carbon oxide from the atmosphere and then storing it is known as carbon sequestration.
- In order to achieve net zero emissions, all worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will have to be counterbalanced by carbon sequestration. Carbon sink is any system that absorbs more carbon than it emits.
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