QUE : What is Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)? Discuss its benefits.

Climate Smart Agriculture is an approach that helps guide actions to transform agri-food systems towards greener and climate resilient systems.

•  Objectives

1. Increase sustainable agricultural productivity

2. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

3. Build resilience to climate change

•  Benefits of Climate Smart Agriculture

1. According to agricultural productivity data – (2010-39) there may be a 9% decline in agricultural productivity in the Indian sector. This will help in increasing productivity and ensuring food security.

2. Reduction in GHG emissions:- The contribution of greenhouse gas production in the agricultural sector is 17%. Which can be reduced.

3. Small and marginal farmers: Most Indian farmers are small or marginal. It can play a significant role in helping to increase their profits.

4. Biodiversity Conservation:- Different crop varieties help cropland and wildlands coexist. This collaborative effort helps to protect native plant species and keep pollinator populations stable.

5. Climate Change Mitigation:- Crop diversification will be promoted. Increases water efficiency. Integrates drought-resistant crops.

•  Challenges of Climate Smart Agriculture:-
  

1. Lack of awareness and knowledge

2. Limited availability of finance, insurance and markets

3. Inadequate infrastructure and institutional support

4. High costs and risks

•  Role of the World Bank in CSA:
  

•  The World Bank also supports research programs like CSA, in its Climate Change Action Plan (2021- 2025), the World Bank has identified agriculture, food, water and climate as one of the five key transitions needed to address the crises. Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, World Bank lending for CSA has increased eightfold to about $53 billion annually.
  
•  Which develops and supports climate-smart technologies and management practices, early warning systems, risk insurance and other innovations that promote resilience and combat climate change.”

                          Thus, climate smart agriculture is useful for ensuring food security, empowering farmers. Which can be expanded through schemes like Soil Health Card, Biotech – Kisan, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana which will help meet the need for 60% increase in agricultural production by 2050 as well as help in averting climate threats.