Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

India, as an agrarian economy, faces the twin challenge of climate vulnerability and the need to enhance farm incomes through global competitiveness. In this context, carbon farming (generating carbon credits by adopting climate-smart practices) and regenerative agriculture (restoring soil health and ecosystem services) are being promoted as pathways that could 

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Role in Enhancing Climate Resilience

• Soil Health Improvement: Enhances organic carbon, reduces erosion, and improves drought/flood tolerance.
• Lower Input Dependence: Reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides → lowers vulnerability to input price shocks.
• Biodiversity Gains: Promotes crop diversification, agroforestry, and natural pest regulation.
• Water Security: Improved soil moisture retention helps in drought-prone regions like Bundelkhand or Marathwada.
• Climate Mitigation: Contributes to India’s NDC target of creating a carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.

Role in Enhancing Export Competitiveness

• Rising Global Demand: EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and demand for sustainably produced agri-goods create market incentives.
• Carbon Credits Market: Farmers can monetize climate-positive practices by trading credits in voluntary/global carbon markets.
• Premium Branding: “Carbon-neutral” or “sustainably farmed” labels enhance India’s agro-exports like tea, coffee, spices, and basmati rice.
• Comparative Advantage: Large smallholder base offers scope for aggregation through FPOs and cooperatives.

Challenges and Limitations

• Measurement and Verification: Lack of reliable MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) frameworks for carbon credits.
• High Transition Costs: Farmers may face yield uncertainty during shift from conventional to regenerative practices.
• Awareness and Equity Concerns: Limited farmer knowledge of carbon markets and certification processes.
  • Small farmers may be left out if only large farms access carbon markets.
• Export Barriers: Compliance with stringent sustainability standards (like EU’s Green Deal) may be difficult for fragmented Indian agriculture.

Towards Scalable Transformation: 

• Institutional Support: Establish a National Carbon Farming Mission with robust MRV protocols.
• Capacity Building: Use Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and FPOs to train farmers in regenerative techniques.
• Incentives: Link MSP/PM-KISAN/insurance benefits with adoption of regenerative practices.
• Market Access: Facilitate carbon credit trading platforms and support certification for export markets.
• International Partnerships: Collaborate with EU, FAO, and private sector for knowledge sharing and finance.

Conclusion:

Carbon farming and regenerative agriculture offer a synergistic pathway for India to achieve climate resilience in agriculture while also boosting export competitiveness in a sustainability-conscious global market along with achieving SDG 2, 12, 13, and 15.