Relevance: GS-3 (Agriculture & Environment)

Source: Rice research institute field study (2022–24)

Context

A recent two-year study (2022–23 and 2023–24 samba seasons) found that integrated rice farming can significantly lower greenhouse-gas emissions while raising productivity. The method reduced methane emissions by 34.2%, nitrous oxide by 24.9%, and improved yields compared to traditional continuously flooded rice fields.

What Is Integrated Rice Farming?

It is a climate-smart approach combining:

• Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)
• Better nutrient and water management
• Improved residue and soil practices

Benefits

• Cuts methane formation by reducing prolonged flooding
• Enhances soil health and saves water
• Raises yields, supporting farm incomes
• Aligns with India’s climate goals under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

Prelims Value Box

• Methane in rice cultivation: Produced under anaerobic (waterlogged) conditions in paddy fields; rice is one of India’s major agricultural methane sources.
• ICAR: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed several high-yielding samba rice varieties, supporting research on climate-resilient paddy cultivation.

Prelims Practice Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding integrated rice farming:

1. It reduces methane emissions by avoiding continuous flooding.
2. It generally requires more water than traditional rice cultivation.
3. It supports India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

How many statements are correct?

A. One only
B. Two only
C. All three
D. None