{"id":74388,"date":"2026-05-20T20:34:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T15:04:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=74388"},"modified":"2026-05-20T20:36:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T15:06:33","slug":"legumes-climate-smart-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-05-2026\/legumes-climate-smart-agriculture","title":{"rendered":"Legumes: A Climate-Smart Alternative For Indian Agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Legumes <\/strong>offer a way<strong> to cut fertiliser use and import dependence<\/strong>, as India is facing an import crisis of <strong>nitrogen-based fertilizer (urea)<\/strong> triggered by Middle East conflicts and disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Does India Need a Shift in Cropping Patterns?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Agriculture contributes nearly <strong>16% of India\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions<\/strong>, largely due to the <strong>rice-wheat cropping system <\/strong>promoted<strong> after the Green Revolution.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Excessive use of nitrogen fertilisers releases <strong>nitrous oxide (N\u2082O)<\/strong>, a potent greenhouse gas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flooded paddy fields emit large quantities of <strong>methane<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continuous cereal monocropping degrades soil fertility and biodiversity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overexploitation of groundwater has led to severe water stress in states such as Punjab and Haryana.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Green Revolution<\/strong> created a policy ecosystem favouring cereals through fertiliser subsidies, Minimum Support Price (MSP), assured procurement, irrigation support, research and extension services.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As a result, cereals occupy nearly <strong>half of India\u2019s cropped area<\/strong>, while legumes cover only about <strong>21%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"eff0f0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"716\" height=\"517\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-146.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-74390\" style=\"--dominant-color: #eff0f0; width:466px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-146.png 716w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-146-300x217.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Legumes as a Sustainable Solution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Leguminous crops such as <strong>chickpea, pigeon pea (tur), lentils, soybean and groundnut<\/strong> provide a climate-resilient <strong>alternative to cereal monoculture<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Their key advantage lies in their biological ability to <strong>fix atmospheric nitrogen<\/strong><strong>through symbiotic bacteria in root nodules.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This naturally enriches the soil and reduces dependence on chemical fertilisers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>According to the <strong>Agricultural Economics Research Review (2023)<\/strong>, legumes fix nearly <strong>70 kg nitrogen per hectare<\/strong>, equivalent to about <strong>152 kg of urea,<\/strong> reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers, and lower nitrous oxide emissions.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thus, legumes can play a crucial role in achieving sustainable agriculture and climate mitigation simultaneously.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ecological and Economic Benefits of Legumes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ecological Benefits: <\/strong>Research shows that soils under legumes exhibit over <strong>11% higher NPK availability, 16\u201317% greater carbon sequestration, <\/strong>improved microbial activity and soil structure.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Legumes require nearly <strong>25% less irrigation water<\/strong> than non-legume crops, making them suitable for water-scarce regions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Benefits: <\/strong>Legumes can generate ecosystem benefits worth nearly <strong>\u20b915,000 per hectare<\/strong> if ecological services are monetised.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Further, increased domestic production of pulses and oilseeds can reduce import dependence, improve farmers\u2019 incomes, and enhance nutritional security through protein-rich diets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India remains the <strong>largest importer <\/strong>despite being the <strong>world\u2019s largest producer <\/strong>of pulses, reflecting <strong>insufficient domestic support.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f3eeeb\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"722\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-145.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-74389\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f3eeeb; width:514px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-145.png 722w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-145-300x193.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 722px) 100vw, 722px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Policy Bias &amp; Need for Reform<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Although initiatives such as the <strong>Technology Mission on Oilseeds and Pulses (1985)<\/strong> and recent relaxation of procurement limits for pulses have provided some support, policy focus remains largely yield-centric.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Policy needs to recognise their environmental contributions to mainstream legumes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Reforms Needed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES): <\/strong>Under the <strong>Green Credit Programme<\/strong>, farmers cultivating legumes can be rewarded through tradable green credits for sustainable farming practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inclusion in Carbon Markets: <\/strong>The <strong>Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)<\/strong> can be expanded to include legume farmers, allowing industries to purchase carbon credits generated through low-emission agriculture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rationalising Fertiliser Subsidies: <\/strong>A portion of fertiliser subsidies can be redirected towards incentivising pulse cultivation and crop diversification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Demand-Side Support: <\/strong>Integrating pulses into Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, and other nutrition programmes can improve nutritional outcomes while ensuring stable market demand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s transition towards climate-smart agriculture requires moving beyond cereal-centric policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legume-based cropping systems offer a<strong> \u2018triple dividend\u2019:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Climate mitigation through reduced emissions;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ecological restoration through soil and water conservation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nutritional and economic security for farmers and consumers;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A balanced policy framework combining procurement support, ecosystem incentives and carbon financing can make legumes central to India\u2019s sustainable agricultural future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/agriculture\/pulse-power\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: DTE<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Legumes offer a way to cut fertiliser use and import dependence, as India is facing an import crisis of nitrogen-based fertilizer (urea) triggered by Middle East conflicts and disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Why Does India Need a Shift in Cropping Patterns? <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Agriculture contributes nearly 16% of India\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to the rice-wheat cropping system promoted after the Green Revolution. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Excessive use of nitrogen fertilisers releases nitrous oxide (N\u2082O), a potent greenhouse gas. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Flooded paddy fields emit large quantities of methane. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-05-2026\/legumes-climate-smart-agriculture \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-74388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74388"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74388\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74393,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74388\/revisions\/74393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}