Leveraging Agro-ecological Approaches for Clean and Green Villages
Description
Leveraging Agro-ecological
Approaches for Clean and Green Villages
Description: Read about Agriculture in India, Agro-ecological approaches for rural empowerment, clean and green village initiatives and government schemes for sustainable agriculture.
Introduction
In the agrarian
landscape of India, villages emerge as pivotal points for steering the
country's developmental trajectory. The vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 hinges
on the crucial role of Clean and Green Villages, with a focus on agroecological
practices across agriculture, energy, and forestry. This approach becomes
instrumental in charting a sustainable roadmap for rural empowerment,
addressing social, economic, environmental, nutritional, health, and cultural
objectives. The adoption of practices such as natural farming, organic farming,
biogas, and waste management is essential to leverage a circular economy within
the rural ecosystem and expedite the achievement of Clean and Green Village
objectives and UN-SDGs.
Rural India: A
Catalyst for Socio-economic Development
Rural India,
constituting about 65% of the nation's population, plays a pivotal role in
achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). With approximately 6,40,000
villages and a population of 83.3 crores, rural areas are strategically positioned
for transformation. Over a decade, the rural population has witnessed
significant growth, emphasizing the demographic dividend. Rural women's
workforce participation has also increased, making these areas ripe for
transformation and aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, as
articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Agro-ecological
Approaches: A Dynamic Solution for Rural Empowerment
Agro-ecological
approaches stand as dynamic solutions to enhance village conditions, ensuring
sustainability in food systems, natural resource conservation, and climate
change mitigation. The simultaneous application of ecological and social
concepts defines agro-ecology, optimizing interactions between plants, animals,
humans, and the environment. India has embraced agro-ecological practices in
various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, and energy, promoting
practices like natural farming, organic farming, agroforestry, and biofuel
production.
Clean and Green
Villages Initiative
The Clean and
Green Village initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, is
integral to transforming rural ecosystems through the Gram Panchayat
Development Plan (GPDP). It encompasses ten components, emphasizing open
defecation-free villages, clean schools and anganwadis, scientific waste
management, affordable clean energy, and promotion of organic farming. Multiple
ministries, including Jal Shakti, Agriculture, Environment, and Rural
Development, collaborate to achieve the objectives of clean and green villages.
Holistic
Development Schemes
To realize
holistic development, the Government of India has initiated various schemes and
programs. Agroecological approaches play a vital role in transforming rural
ecosystems, aligning with the goals of green and clean villages.
- Agroecological
Practices for Clean and Green Villages
Agroecology, an
integrated approach combining ecological and social principles, addresses food
and agricultural system design and management. The High-Level Panel of Experts
defines agroecological approaches as favoring natural processes, limiting
purchased inputs, and emphasizing local knowledge and participatory processes.
The ten agroecological elements include diversity, synergies, efficiency,
resilience, recycling, co-creation, sharing of knowledge, human and social
values, culture and food traditions, responsible governance, and circular and
solidarity economy.
- Promotion of
Organic and Natural Farming
Organic and
natural farming practices, rooted in agroecological principles, exclude
synthetic/chemical inputs. These practices resonate with India's agricultural
heritage, integrating livestock. The government promotes organic farming
through schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission
Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). Natural
farming, under Bhartiya Prakratik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP), further contributes
to achieving green villages' objectives.
- Waste to Wealth:
Biogas and Organic Manure
Green
technologies like biogas and organic manure convert agricultural, industrial,
and municipal wastes into energy and agri-inputs. The GOBARdhan program, under
the Swachh Bharat Mission, exemplifies the 'waste to wealth' initiative,
converting organic waste into biogas and bio-slurry. The Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy (MNRE) supports biogas plant installations, contributing to
circular economy initiatives.
- Rural Industries
and Biogas Production
Agroecological
practices contribute to rural industries, especially in biogas production,
processing, marketing, and waste management. Biogas, a smoke-free fuel, emerges
as a promising renewable energy industry in India, providing employment
opportunities across various skill categories. Successful biogas plant
establishments in different regions showcase the potential for improving rural
environments and economies.
Conclusion
The objectives of Clean and Green Villages can be accelerated by scaling up agroecology-based programs and schemes, implementing them at the grassroots level. Collaborative efforts involving panchayats, cooperatives, Self Help Groups (SHGs), and women-SHGs are crucial in realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and ensuring sustainable rural development.
