National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) will implement a ‘Low Carbon Farming’ project worth Rs 24.73 crore over a period of four years under the National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change Project for the first time in Jharkhand on a pilot basis.
As of now, 21 villages at Patratu block and another 27 at Narayanpur block in Ramgarh and Jamtara districts were selected on the basis of the Vulnerability Report Index (VRI) released by the United Nations Development Project in 2014.
A blueprint is being prepared to promote traditional farming on the fields of 48 villages located adjacent to hills. Fields near the hills have been identified for low carbon farming where organic fertilizers will be prepared from the leaves falling down from trees.
Water flowing downhill will carry soil and nutrients to these fields, providing better food to the seeds and plants. This, in turn, will enable stabilization of carbon emission in a better way.
Water from springs, rivulets and other sources will be used to minimize dependency on rain. Also, pesticides will not be required as birds and other creatures eat larvae of harmful insects.
The forest department will execute the project through its dedicated project management unit based at Van Bhawan in Ranchi.
“This is all about adaptation. Climate change is expected to increase stress on water, temperature and other factors which will adversely affect farmers. Crops in many of the areas are likely to be affected because of climate change. Farmers must adapt to the changing climate, and use water and other resources more efficiently.”
Reference- Indian Express, UN Report