BAKU, Nov 16 (IPS) – As COP29 negotiations proceed in Baku, agricultural leaders are pitching the necessity for climate-resilient and data-driven options to assist marginalized farmers and low-income communities.
In an unique interview with Inter Press Service (IPS), Ismahane Elouafi, Govt Managing Director of the Consortium of Worldwide Agricultural Analysis Facilities (CGIAR), discusses the influence of digital instruments, precision agriculture, and low-emission meals programs on attaining a sustainable and equitable meals future.
Inter Press Service: How useful are digital instruments in supporting marginalized farmers?
Ismahane Elouafi: Digital instruments supply immense potential, particularly in bridging the information hole between agricultural specialists and rural farmers who typically lack entry to data. Over the previous few a long time, funding for conventional extension providers has dwindled, so digital options in native languages can fill this void. Think about a farmer receiving real-time recommendation on managing water, soil fertility, or illness in a language they perceive—this might revolutionize small-scale farming. Moreover, precision agriculture, which tailors enter must particular areas and soil compositions, permits for extremely personalized farming methods that optimize each sources and yields.
IPS: Are you able to clarify how precision agriculture works in sensible phrases?
Elouafi: Precision agriculture permits us to ship actual inputs—water, vitamins, or fertilizers—wanted for a particular plot. This method minimizes waste and environmental influence, and it is particularly helpful in areas the place sources are scarce. As an illustration, if a plant wants 20 milliliters of water in a single sq. meter however solely 10 milliliters just a few kilometers away, precision agriculture ensures we do not overuse sources. In the end, the aim is to extend productiveness sustainably, producing extra output per hectare with fewer inputs, particularly in a time the place local weather pressures demand we be conscious of environmental impacts.
IPS: How important is biodiversity to resilient farming programs?
Elouafi: Resilience signifies that after a shock—a drought, flood, and even battle—farmers can bounce again and proceed manufacturing. CGIAR’s focus is to offer instruments, know-how, and genetic sources that make this potential. We have developed rice varieties that survive flooding and maize that tolerates drought, serving to farmers keep productiveness regardless of climatic stressors. One other key issue is small-scale irrigation, which permits farmers to reply to drought by offering supplemental water, guaranteeing resilience and meals safety.
IPS: You talked about low-emission meals programs. How can agriculture contribute to local weather targets?
Elouafi: Agriculture is chargeable for about 33 p.c of worldwide greenhouse gases. By shifting to low-emission practices, we are able to tremendously cut back methane and different emissions. For instance, conventional rice paddies launch giant quantities of methane. Nevertheless, various wetting and drying practices can reduce methane emissions by 30 p.c whereas boosting productiveness by 33 p.c. In livestock, utilizing particular forages and learning animal intestine microbiomes can cut back methane emissions by as much as 60 p.c. Agriculture is uniquely positioned to sequester carbon by way of practices like cowl cropping and biodiversity, which is essential in mitigating local weather change.
IPS: Might web and knowledge use improve local weather safety?
Elouafi: Completely. Digital entry and web protection in rural areas can present well timed local weather data, like rainfall predictions, which empowers farmers to make higher planting selections. With tasks like Elon Musk’s nanosatellite community increasing web entry, marginalized farmers can more and more leverage local weather knowledge. CGIAR additionally focuses on producing correct knowledge for the World South, as current local weather fashions typically depend on knowledge from the World North, which does not replicate realities in locations like Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia. Our knowledge can inform region-specific, actionable local weather methods.
IPS: How does CGIAR assist improvements and resilience in weak areas?
Elouafi: CGIAR operates the most important publicly funded worldwide agricultural analysis community, with a robust deal with least-income nations. Our aim is to shut the yield hole between high- and low-income nations by offering bundles of improvements: drought-resistant varieties, small-scale irrigation, processing enhancements, and entry to markets. By serving to farmers combine these improvements, we guarantee they’re extra resilient and have a gradual revenue. Moreover, our analysis helps policymakers design higher frameworks to assist smallholders and incentivize sustainable agri-food programs.
IPS: What do you hope COP29 will obtain in advancing agricultural and local weather agendas?
Elouafi: COP29 should carry ahead the momentum from COP28, the place the UAE’s Declaration on Sustainable Agri-Meals Methods was endorsed by 160 nations. Agriculture, meals, and water programs must be central to local weather discussions. As we glance to COP30 in Brazil, with its experience in regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, I hope we proceed viewing agriculture not as a part of the local weather downside however as an important resolution to it. Local weather adaptation in agriculture is non-negotiable—lives and livelihoods rely on it.
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