Relevance for UPSC: GS III (Agriculture, Environment); Source: The Indian Express, ICAR studies

Context

Rice cultivation is a major source of agricultural methane, a greenhouse gas with ~28 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over 100 years. As the world’s largest rice producer, India must balance climate mitigation with farmer income security.

Core Concept: Why Paddy Fields Emit Methane

• Continuous flooding creates oxygen-free soils.
• Methanogenic microbes thrive and release methane during decomposition.

Solution: Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)

• Fields are periodically dried instead of being continuously flooded.
• Dry phases introduce oxygen, suppressing methane formation.
• Maintains yields while reducing emissions and saving water.

Income Linkage

• Methane cuts are converted into carbon credits and sold in markets.
• Potential gain: ~₹3,000–3,500 per hectare per crop, supplementing farm income.

Conclusion

AWD shows that climate action and farmer welfare can align, making rice farming cleaner and more remunerative.

Q. Alternate Wetting and Drying in rice cultivation helps to:
A. Increase methane emissions
B. Reduce methane emissions without yield loss
C. Eliminate irrigation needs
D. Replace fertiliser use

Correct Answer: B