Greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural food production to supply Indian diets: Implications for climate change mitigation

Jennie I Macdiarmid,Alan D Dangour,Clare M Stirling,Pete Smith,Jon Hillier,Lukasz Aleksandrowicz,Edward J.M Joy,Rosemary Green,Tek B Sapkota,Sylvia H Vetter

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2016.12.024

Abstract

Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. The growing global population is putting pressure on agricultural production systems that aim to secure food production while minimising GHG emissions. In this study, the GHG emissions associated with the production of major food commodities in India are calculated using the Cool Farm Tool. GHG emissions, based on farm management for major crops (including cereals like wheat and rice, pulses, potatoes, fruits and vegetables) and livestock-based products (milk, eggs, chicken and mutton meat), are quantified and compared. Livestock and rice production were found to be the main sources of GHG emissions in Indian agriculture with a country average of 5.65kg CO2eq kg−1 rice, 45.54kg CO2eq kg−1 mutton meat and 2.4kg CO2eq kg−1 milk. Production of cereals (except rice), fruits and vegetables in India emits comparatively less GHGs with <1kg CO2eq kg−1 product. These findings suggest that a shift towards dietary patterns with greater consumption of animal source foods could greatly increase GHG emissions from Indian agriculture. A range of mitigation options are available that could reduce emissions from current levels and may be compatible with increased future food production and consumption demands in India.

Highlights

Agriculture is an important sector of the economy in India, contributing about 20% of national gross domestic product, and providing a livelihood for nearly two-thirds of the population (ICAR, 2015)
The analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from farm management in India presents the variability of emissions across India based on different management practices (Fig. 2, Table 1)
For paddy rice, >10,000 plots were available for analysis with a wide range of management practices, which is reflected in the GHG emission results

Summary

Introduction

Agriculture is an important sector of the economy in India, contributing about 20% of national gross domestic product, and providing a livelihood for nearly two-thirds of the population (ICAR, 2015). Important is the contribution of agriculture to national food security. India achieved self-sufficiency in food production after the Green Revolution (GR), but retaining this success has been challenging due to the increasing scarcity of resources, including labour, water, energy, and rising costs of production (Saharawat et al, 2010). Agricultural production is a major emitter of GHGs, currently accounting for 18% of total GHG emissions in India (INCCA, 2010). With a population of $1.3 billion, it is evident that the food system in India will be central to the global challenge of providing sufficient nutritious food while minimising GHG emissions. Given the increasing population and shifting dietary patterns, GHG emissions from agricultural production in India are expected to change

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Discussion

Conclusion