Advancing climate mitigation in Indian agriculture: a critical review of soil-, water-, and nutrient-based interventions

Abstract

As global agriculture faces the dual challenge of increasing food demand and mitigating climate change, India has emerged as a critical focal point for developing resilient management practices. Reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under various production systems without affecting productivity is one of the important challenges in addressing global warming. The study evaluates the alignment of Indian agricultural practices with global initiatives, such as the “4 per 1,000” initiative launched at COP21, which aims to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration through sustainable management. Environmentally and economically efficient management practices were identified, such as soil-, water-, and nutrient-based technologies that have various benefits of mitigation by removing, decreasing, or replacing the released atmospheric CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O. The adoption of recommended management practices promotes climate-resilient agriculture by conserving soil and water, enhancing the amount of soil organic carbon, and mitigating GHG emissions from agricultural fields.