Odisha Launches ‘Compendium of Regenerative Agriculture’

 

The Government of Odisha has initiated an important step towards sustainable agriculture. In collaboration with ICRISAT, they launched a ‘Compendium of Regenerative Agriculture’. This launch took place at the International Symposium on Shree Anna and Forgotten Foods in Bhubaneshwar.

Key Principles of Regenerative Agriculture

The compendium outlines five essential principles. These are – minimising soil disturbance, maximising crop diversity, maintaining soil cover, keeping living roots year-round, and integrating livestock. These principles aim to enhance soil health and promote sustainability in farming practices.

Importance of the Compendium

Arabinda K Padhee, Principal Secretary of Agriculture, emphasized the compendium’s role. It will serve as a vital resource for scaling regenerative agriculture, especially for millets, pulses, and oilseeds. The focus is on holistic farming techniques that improve carbon sequestration and climate resilience.

Symposium Highlights

The symposium attracted over 400 attendees, including international representatives. Presentations focused on research priorities for millets in Odisha. The event telld the growing momentum for regenerative agriculture in India.

CII-ICRISAT Collaboration

A delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Telangana engaged with ICRISAT. They discussed collaboration opportunities in agriculture and food processing. M Raghunandan Rao brought into light the importance of mechanisation. He noted that it could enhance efficiency and sustainability in farming.

Focus on Smallholder Farmers

Rao stressed that sustainability discussions must prioritise smallholder farmers. He advocated for systems that ensure sustainable incomes for them. Krishna Ella from Bharat Biotech emphasised the dual risks farmers face – production and marketing. He insisted that the focus should first be on farmers, then on sustainability. This initiative marks important step towards enhancing agricultural practices in Odisha and supporting farmers’ livelihoods.

website: popularscientist.com

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