Manojit Basu, PhD’s Post

Wondering what's at stake for agriculture in the Inflation Reduction Act? It's simple: if we don't reduce nitrous oxide and methane emissions from our farms, agriculture will account for 32% of US GHG emissions by 2050 -- and be the leading source of US GHG emissions. https://lnkd.in/ewqkNV7U

In a world where every offset counts, the #agriculturalindustry needs to make smarter decisions about which vegetables to subsidize and which to deprioritize. 💡 With peas using less water and less carbon than their corn competitors, it's time we start to put them on the lower emission pedestal they deserve, so we can reduce emissions from the agricultural industry. 🌱🌽 ✉️ Read #PeaTos' open letter to U.S. Senator Thomas Vilsack on We Don't Have Time to understand why: https://lnkd.in/d5WywvDw #peas #carbonemissions #agriculture #agriculturalemissions

As much as 95 percent of global food production depends on soil. However, unsustainable agricultural practices, the overexploitation of natural resources and a growing population are putting increased pressure on our soils. A third of them are already degraded, and experts estimate that soil erosion could lead to a 10 percent loss in crop production by 2050.

The largest agricultural crop in the United States is corn, and this one crop contributes heavily to air pollution, as explained in Growing Corn Is A Major Contributor To Air Pollution. In this article we read that 4,300 premature deaths each year can be attributed to corn production, and that ammonia from fertilizer application account for about 70 percent of these deaths. The air-quality related health damages in this instance total up to $39 billion annually, and “producing corn is more damaging than the economic benefit it provides.” “The total contribution of corn to air pollution is likely higher, according to Hill, as this study didn't consider what was done with the corn after it gets produced. Much of the corn produced in the U.S. goes to feed livestock, which has its own contributions to air pollution.”   “The use of chemical fertilizers this year will likely generate more greenhouse gas emissions than the total emissions from all of the cars and trucks driven in the US” (These New Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizers Are about to Blow Up). At the same time, animal agriculture is responsible for up to 18% of greenhouse gas emission. This, too, is more than the combined exhaust from all of transportation (Livestock’s Long Shadow). “Livestock farming alone contributes more to global warming than all the cars, trains, planes and ships in the world” (Clean energy won’t save us – only a new economic system can).

"The USDA estimates that the 141 funded projects will, collectively over the project’s five-year lifetime, eliminate or sequester the equivalent of 60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, on par with removing more than 2.4 million gas-powered cars from the road over the same period. They will achieve this by paying growers to adopt practices thought to either reduce greenhouse gas emissions or capture carbon dioxide from the air. These practices include reducing or eliminating tilling of soil, planting “cover crops” that grow during the off-season and are not harvested, improving how farmers use fertilizer and manure, and planting trees." Bill Cutlip Dave Chen Daryl Maas Robert Watson https://lnkd.in/g4_KXSeP

This post by Mrutyunjay Dash clearly highlights the importance of internal audits in the Bayer Rice Carbon Program. These audits, conducted every season, focus on verifying adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed by Bayer. This ensures that both field teams and farmers are following these crucial guidelines & also helps in improving the systems and bridging the gaps. Here's what it resonates: #climateaction #sustainableagriculture #ricecultivation #methaneemissions #environmentalsustainability #sustainablefarming #carboncredits #bayer #bayercropscience #paddy #rice #totalqualitymanagement #DSR #awd #regenerativeagriculture #methane #shellGenZero #carbonfarming #decarbonization #ghg #netzero #carbonmarkets

Benefits of no-till and covercrops are well understood for improving soil health. However, the impact of glyphosate to burn down covers on reducing and/or altering the soil microbiology needs to be better understood. Glyphosate is also a broadspectrum biocide. Tests in our labs have shown it to effectively kill a range of beneficial bacteria species. Effective alternatives to glyphosate are needed to enable no-till and cover cropping practices. Finding a bio-based solution to replace glyphosate is the holy grail. #ChallengeOn

🌾 Embracing Challenges, Cultivating Opportunities in Crop Protection 🚜 The crop protection industry faces unprecedented scrutiny from consumers and governments yet continues to innovate for safer solutions. Livio Tedeschi, President of BASF, acknowledges the challenges and sees a pivotal moment for agriculture. "Facing climate change, an aging workforce, and demands for transparency, agriculture is at a crossroads. The road may be bumpy, with regulatory uncertainties and political shifts, but it brings opportunities," Tedeschi notes. Continue Reading: https://ow.ly/1UKc50Qm988 #Agchem #Agrochemicals #Agribusiness #Sustainability

The findings of this research study on the Impact Assessment of Raising Prices of Agricultural Commodities on socio-economic condition of our farming community. The results underscore an alarming reality – the escalating input costs have placed an immense burden on our farmers, pushing the boundaries of affordability and exacerbating food insecurity in our country. As we stand at this crossroads, the question echoes louder than ever: Are we inadvertently jeopardizing our agriculture sector's vitality? The answer lies in the hands of our policymakers. It is imperative that immediate steps be taken to safeguard our agricultural backbone and empower our farmers. To address this pressing issue, I strongly advocate for comprehensive policies that revolve around providing essential subsidies to our farming community, particularly in crucial areas such as seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural machinery. This will not only alleviate the financial strain on our farmers but also enhance their ability to continue contributing to our nation's food security. Combatting the Fertilizer Monopoly Furthermore, the prevalence of a fertilizer mafia that thrives on arbitrary pricing and excessive profits must be tackled head-on. Effective policies should be devised and rigorously implemented to curtail the monopoly of this entity, ensuring that fertilizers remain accessible and affordable for our farmers. Mitigating Climate Change Impacts The burgeoning challenges posed by climate change have further compounded the problem by escalating input costs through increased pest, disease, and weed pressures. To counteract these effects, it is imperative that we initiate and disseminate Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) technologies among our farmers. By equipping them with the tools to mitigate climatic factors and build resilience, we can fortify their ability to withstand the changing agricultural landscape. Enabling Knowledge Sharing and Alternative Techniques In addition, our government's Agricultural Extension departments play a pivotal role in training farmers in alternative methods to reduce input costs. Techniques such as compost and fertilizer making, crop rotation, inter-cropping, and the cultivation of leguminous crops can serve as effective tools in optimizing agricultural practices and resource utilization. #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #EmpoweringFarmers #ClimateResilience #AgriculturalInnovation #inflation

The ag industry seems uniquely affected by the global climate. We rely so heavily on foreign markets and supply chains that are intact and uninterrupted that it should come as little surprise when we get hit with some of the steepest price increases around. It’s not only the skyrocketing fertilizer costs but all our input costs: equipment, pesticides, and seed are going up right now, too. It can be a bit disheartening. Find out some ways you can reduce costs on your farm without reducing revenue! https://hubs.ly/Q01_67z90