Researcher Asif Ishtiaque, originally from Bangladesh, has been investigating why agricultural practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions have not been widely adopted in South Asia. Despite the potential of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) to enhance food security in the region, Ishtiaque's study, published in Nature Climate Change, identifies key barriers to CSA adoption, including weak organizational capacities, inadequate incentives, and limited follow-up post-adoption.
Ishtiaque emphasizes the importance of viewing CSA adoption as a regional issue rather than focusing solely on individual cases. He highlights the significance of CSA practices in aiding farmers to adapt to climate change while conserving soil, water, and energy, ultimately leading to increased yields.
The project's challenges stemmed from the diverse nature of agriculture in South Asia, with variations in farm sizes, farmer wealth, and soil characteristics across different regions. Ishtiaque's personal experiences growing up in Bangladesh, a country highly vulnerable to climate change, motivated his research focus on climate change impacts on agricultural systems.
Meanwhile, in India, Jauhar Ali, head of the Hybrid Rice Development Consortium (HRDC) at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has been developing rice varieties that are less susceptible to arsenic toxicity and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions. This research addresses a critical issue in the region, where contaminated water sources contribute to arsenic uptake in rice crops, posing health risks to millions of people.
Ali's team has successfully released arsenic-safe rice varieties in India and Bangladesh, occupying significant agricultural land. These initiatives demonstrate the potential of agricultural research to address pressing environmental and health challenges in South Asia.
Please find the original version of the article below:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewwight/2024/01/30/why-arent-farmers-in-bangladesh-adopting-climate-smart-agriculture/?sh=776513642281
Photo credit:
Community consultation in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, ASIF ISHTIAQUE
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