The Nature Conservancy (TNC) organized a two-day workshop on “Transitioning Towards Regenerative Foodscapes in Northwest India.” This event, part of the PRANA (Promoting Regenerative and No-Burn Agriculture) project, brought together over eighty experts in agriculture, policy and science to discuss strategies for improving Punjab’s agricultural ecosystem and addressing the challenges faced by farmers in the region.
Key Focus Areas of the Workshop
The workshop organized by TNC aimed to explore ways to enhance agricultural sustainability in Punjab by focusing on key areas such as crop residue management, crop diversification, water conservation, and innovative financial mechanisms. It provided a platform for experts to discuss the interconnected issues of water, energy, and food production, emphasizing the importance of addressing these areas in a comprehensive, sustainable manner.
Progress in Crop Residue Management
A major topic of discussion at the TNC workshop was crop residue management, particularly in the context of the widespread practice of stubble burning. The workshop highlighted the progress made in reducing the amount of crop residue burned in the region, noting a more than 70% decrease compared to previous years. This improvement is attributed to both government initiatives and the increased use of ex-situ crop residue management techniques, which involve processing crop residue away from the fields. However, there was an acknowledgment that in-situ management, which involves managing residue directly in the field, remains the most environmentally friendly and sustainable solution. Experts emphasized the need for further support and scaling up of these practices.
Expanding the Scope of PRANA
The PRANA project, initially focused on crop residue management, was discussed as an example of how agricultural strategies can be broadened to address multiple sustainability goals. The project is expanding to include a regenerative foodscapes approach, which integrates not only crop residue management but also the concepts of agroforestry, water-saving techniques, and crop diversification. The expansion aims to offer a more holistic solution to the challenges faced by Punjab’s agricultural sector, including climate change and resource depletion. The workshop highlighted the need for collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to ensure that these approaches are economically viable for farmers while contributing to long-term environmental sustainability.
Policy Briefs and Practical Recommendations
Two policy briefs were launched during the TNC workshop, offering evidence-based recommendations for sustainable agricultural practices in Punjab. The first brief, Charting a Course for Effective Crop Residue Management in Punjab: Key Learnings from TNC’s PRANA Project, outlines the lessons learned from the PRANA project and provides actionable recommendations for improving crop residue management. The second brief, Punjab’s Energy-Water-Food Nexus: Exploration of Drivers and Practical Ways Out, explores the interrelated challenges of energy, water, and food production in the region and offers strategies for managing these interconnected crises. The briefs highlight the importance of addressing these challenges with coordinated policies that promote sustainability while supporting farmers.
Water-Saving Techniques and Resource Management
A key area of focus at the TNC workshop was the interdependence of water, energy and agriculture. Experts discussed various water-saving techniques, such as the Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD) method, which reduces water usage for irrigation by up to 30% and significantly lowers methane emissions by 48% without negatively affecting crop yields. The workshop emphasized the need for farmers to adopt such techniques to reduce their reliance on water-intensive practices, which are unsustainable in the face of depleting groundwater resources.
In addition to water conservation methods, the TNC workshop discussed the importance of strengthening Punjab’s canal networks to ensure more efficient water distribution and improve irrigation practices across the state. These strategies are seen as essential to improving water availability for agriculture while reducing the environmental impact of water usage.
The Role of the Private Sector and Market-Driven Solutions
The private sector was also identified as playing a crucial role in scaling up regenerative agriculture practices. Discussions at the TNC workshop centered on the potential of market-driven solutions such as carbon credits to incentivize farmers to adopt sustainable practices. Experts discussed the need for investments and policy reforms that could support farmers in making the transition to regenerative agriculture by providing financial incentives and market access for sustainable products. These solutions could help make regenerative agriculture economically viable and ensure long-term adoption of sustainable practices across the state.
Innovative Financial Mechanisms
Another critical aspect of the TNC workshop was the exploration of innovative financial mechanisms that could incentivize farmers to adopt regenerative practices. Experts discussed the potential for combining various forms of credits, such as carbon credits, water credits, and green credits, to provide farmers with financial rewards for their sustainability efforts. These mechanisms could help bridge the financial gap and encourage farmers to adopt practices that improve both the environment and their livelihoods. The importance of aligning financial incentives with agricultural policies was also stressed, as it is seen as essential to ensuring the long-term success of these initiatives.
Also read: A Conversation with Kanika Sood: Revolutionizing Agriculture with Sustainability and Agrotech
Pathway to Building Climate Resilience
The discussions at the TNC workshop underscored the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by Punjab’s agricultural sector, particularly in light of shifting climatic conditions and depleting resources. Experts emphasized that building climate resilience in the region requires a multi-faceted approach, including sustainable management of paddy residue, crop diversification, agroforestry, and water conservation. These approaches must be backed by policies, partnerships, and financial support to create an enabling environment for farmers to adopt regenerative practices.
“PRANA’s work in Punjab connects to the concept of ‘Pran’ which relates to oxygen. We are keen to increase agro-forestry and green cover in Punjab and it would be great to see such initiatives scale up. We need to work on maximizing farmer incomes through crop diversification and water savings. There can be ways of combining carbon credits with water credits and green credits and translate this into farmer incomes.”
The workshop concluded with an emphasis on the importance of collaboration and partnerships in scaling up regenerative agriculture. Partnerships with organizations like the PRANA project provide valuable ground-based evidence and support for building climate resilience in Punjab. The TNC workshop highlighted that achieving long-term agricultural sustainability in Punjab will require the active involvement of all stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, the private sector, and farmers themselves.
By addressing the interconnected challenges of water, energy, and food production, the workshop provided a platform for experts to develop practical solutions that could be implemented to improve agricultural sustainability and resilience in Punjab. These solutions, if scaled up, have the potential to not only benefit farmers in Punjab but also serve as a model for agricultural practices in other regions of Northwest India.
