An overview of organic agriculture: A potential strategy for climate change mitigation

Abstract

Indian agriculture has changed considerably in the past several decades. Since post green revolution era, Indian farming basically shifted from the conventional farming system to towards the mechanized farming system and relies heavily on agricultural inputs such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, heavy farm machineries and irrigation, which are dependent on fossil fuels. Large scale use of these inputs also contributed in emission of greenhouse gases which are mainly responsible for global warming and consequently climate change. Agriculture plays a unique role in the climate change mitigation because of its potential to lower greenhouse gases emissions through carbon sequestration. Organic agriculture is being considered as one of the appropriate farming systems that could serve the twin objectives of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Compared to conventional agriculture, organic agriculture is considered to be more energy efficient and effective both in reducing green house gases emission mainly due to the less use of chemical fertilizers and fossil fuel and enhancing the soil organic carbon. Promotion and adaptation of organic farming in developing country like India can serve as mitigation strategy of climate change.