Ecosystem-based adaptation takes nature-based, people-centric approach to agriculture

Subject: Environment

Section: Climate Change

Multilayer farming:

Multilayer farming is the process of growing multiple crops in a single field. This is done by planting a crop on top of an already existing crop. The first crop is then harvested, and the land is used to plant another crop.
The purpose of this is to save space on land and improve efficiency. It is an ancient method of farming that is used to increase crop yield and avoid competition between plants.
Multilayer farming is also an example of an ecosystem-based adaptation (or EbA) approach in agriculture.

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA):

EbA is a relatively new term coined in 2008 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and defined in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity as a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promote conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. EbA comes under the umbrella of nature-based solutions (NbS) and is people-centric in its approach.
Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in agriculture helps farmers reduce their vulnerability to climate change and overcome its vagaries by harnessing biodiversity and natural resources.
Small-holder farmers can increase their food security, diversify and increase their sources of income generation, take advantage of local or traditional knowledge and have low implementation and labour costs by adopting EbA in farming.
Ecosystem-based adaptation is considered to be essential in achieving various sustainable development goals and is aligned with the Indian government’s MissionLiFE programme that encourages people to be pro-planet.

Reduce emissions through climate-smart agriculture:

Agriculture production is a major greenhouse gas emitter in India, accounting for 18% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Apart from adaptation to climate change, mitigation is another aspect of EbA.
In the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) guidelines for integrating EbA into National Adaptation Plans, EbA is acknowledged to be essential in achieving the sustainable development goals of zero hunger, clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, life below water and life on land.
Digital Green is a global agricultural development organization.
- One of the programmes of Digital Green in Bihar uses the monitoring, reporting and verification or MRV platform that ensures a rigorous standard for tracking farmer practices and emissions via calibrated climate models as well as promotes science-backed agriculture practices for reducing agricultural emissions.
Farmstack is an open-source data-sharing platform
AgNext is for chili quality assaying.

About Mission LiFE:

The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilization’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption i.e. Net-zero living or sustainable lifestyle.
The Mission encourages the P3 model, i.e., Pro Planet People.
Advocates for the circular economy.
Mission LiFE makes everyone trustees of the environment.
The main objectives enumerated in the LiFE concept are
- saving energy at home,
- cycling and using public transport instead of driving,
- eating more plant-based food and wasting less, and
- leveraging our position as customers and employees to demand climate-friendly choices.