Regenerative agriculture in India
Adaptability and agility for paradigm shifts towards sustainability
Focus INDIA 2023 aims to explore how the integration of an adaptable and agile mindset can be beneficial for actors in the economy, and more specifically in the Swiss Indian business context. Climate change and sustainability are also themes that are of high importance to Switzerland and India. With this article we want to highlight what the two countries can achieve by working together by embracing adaptability and agility.
India is the second-largest producer of staple foods like rice, wheat, groundnuts, fruits, and vegetables globally which currently also comes with the price of being the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases. But it does not have to be this way. While agriculture is regarded as a key cause of climate change, it can also be an integral part of the solution.
Switzerland, a country that is innovative and a leader in science and technology, and India, a country with a huge population and agricultural know-how, represent a great combination to find and implement solutions for an environmentally sustainable future.
Coconut planting in Karnataka, June 2020
One of the solutions, is regenerative agriculture. It refers to practices of farming and grazing that has the advantages of exploiting resources without contributing to climate change. It aims to go beyond sustaining the status quo to recovering nature’s balance, every crop cycle has the potential to contribute to its ecosystem and improve the environment. Regenerative agriculture shows that
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food and plant farming can be done cohesively with nature and not at its expense.
Namely, carbon farming describes the techniques used to sequester carbon in the soil and avoid the production and release of carbon. With the right techniques and technologies, according to a paper published by the OECD, farmland alone has the capacity to store up to 1.2 billion tons of carbon and could offset 4% of average annual greenhouse gases emissions over the rest of the century. Resulting in enhanced soils that reduce fertilizer use and improve overall crop health, increased farmer resilience and development as well as reduced pollution.
Coconut trees in Karnataka, July 2022
One key aspect, to allow India farmers to be adaptable is to ensure that their farms remain efficient and profitable. As farming sustains half of India’s 1.4 billion population and out of rural households, 70% rely on farming as their main source of income.
We had the pleasure to discuss with Vignesha Adiga who owns a farm in India and practices regenerative farming. His unique perspective and expertise on the topic gave us valuable insights.
His experience with farming started in his childhood, he describes himself as a “farmer from the bud”. He was brought up on a farm where he did hands on work until the age of 18, after which he undertook university studies in agricultural sciences. His extensive knowledge of farming and the agribusiness comes from observing farming through different lenses over the years and through his passion. After being away from the fields for years, his love for farming encouraged him to invest in a farm in 2019 outside of Bangalore where he would work in his free time.
He explained that the approach for large farms and smallholder farms, which make up most of India’s farming industry, differs greatly. One example of adaptability and agility he witnessed in his local community of farmers is the rapid integration of the communication app WhatsApp. Being part of chat groups where advice and information is shared is now not uncommon. He says the quick adoption is due to the significant and immediate benefits. He comments that:
“Indian farmers’ willingness to adapt is impressive as long as it does not threaten their livelihood.”
Which highlights the importance of carefully considering each stakeholder’s interest and actively combining the forces of both public and private bodies towards sustainable practices that benefit all.
Long-term change requires inputs from all perspectives, whether you are a company, an organization or student, your positive contribution is essential. With Focus INDIA 2023, the objective is to trigger debates, inspire, and foster mindsets among our delegates from different study fields at the FHNW, who are tomorrow’s workforce and connect with companies and organizations. We would love to have you on board for this enriching experience. To know more, make sure to check our website and stay updated by following our social media channels
Figure 1 Employees on the farm