Utilising fallow lands in organic agricultural practices has several beneficial effects in reducing carbon
footprints. Primarily, any agricultural practices decrease the area of bare fallow. Along with this, organic
farming adds more qualities to the fallow land and uncultivated soil. soil. Organic farming forbids the use
of most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers manufactured using fossil fuels. It could result in a
higher soil organic carbon content compared to non-organic systems.
When used together with other environment-friendly farming practices, significant reductions of GHG emissions can be achieved. Organic farming increases the amount of organic carbon in the soil & arrests the carbon footprint. As we were developing Organic farming in fallow lands, it certainly increases the organic carbon in fallow lands. In the pilot plots of 120 acres of fallow land, we raised 5 lakh plants over 5 years. These plantations supported the growth of organic agriculture, which is largely based on several model agricultural practices.
We know that agricultural ecosystems hold substantial carbon reserves. The decrease of bare fallow, return of crop residues to the soil, establish Agroforestry systems and increase of cover cropping promote carbon removal. This promotion can either be increasing the storage of carbon or reduce the loss of stored carbon. To reduce the bare fallow, we introduced a new variety of leguminous plants, Flemingia Semialata, and several catch crops, that is, intercropping. Within a year, the fruits of the exercise started yielding. The soil became rich with higher organic carbon content and the fallow land became productive.
The merit of this exercise is that it can generate sustainable livelihood for the poor people associated with fallow land. The products of these fallow lands being organic are also able to cater for the market needs. The reason is the trends in healthy eating styles are driving the growing interest in organic food. Consumers are in favour of choosing “natural” products. The endeavour has been serving the twin purpose of reducing carbon footprints & generating sustainable livelihood. The result is what has been desired by the National Policy. We developed a successful demonstration.
We know that agricultural ecosystems hold substantial carbon reserves. The decrease of bare fallow, return of crop residues to the soil, establish Agroforestry systems and increase of cover cropping promote carbon removal. This promotion can either be increasing the storage of carbon or reduce the loss of stored carbon. To reduce the bare fallow, we introduced a new variety of leguminous plants, Flemingia Semialata, and several catch crops, that is, intercropping. Within a year, the fruits of the exercise started yielding. The soil became rich with higher organic carbon content and the fallow land became productive.
The merit of this exercise is that it can generate sustainable livelihood for the poor people associated with fallow land. The products of these fallow lands being organic are also able to cater for the market needs. The reason is the trends in healthy eating styles are driving the growing interest in organic food. Consumers are in favour of choosing “natural” products. The endeavour has been serving the twin purpose of reducing carbon footprints & generating sustainable livelihood. The result is what has been desired by the National Policy. We developed a successful demonstration.
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