Global food security has been threatened due to various climate change related impacts including the sea level rise and salinity intrusion in coastal agricultural areas. South Asia produces ~ one third of the global rice, and rice is the staple food in the region. Sea level rise and various anthropogenic activities causing salt water intrusion have affected the low-lying agricultural areas of South Asia. In addressing the impacts of climate change, both mitigation of GHG emissions and adopting appropriate adaptation measures to minimize the impacts are necessary. In addressing the salinity issue, remedial measures adopted on salt-affected soils to reduce the salinity effect could enhance future climate change if they cause high levels of net GHG emissions. The current study has focused on selecting the best agricultural management practices for the salt-affected soils in rice cropping systems of the South Asian region considering net GHG emissions and other socioeconomic benefits associated with the adopted measures. The current on-going collaborative project involves several four countries of South Asia (i.e. Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan). Measurements of soil electrical conductivity and greenhouse gas emissions have been taken under different management practices at the selected sites within the participating countries. Farmer surveys have been conducted to collect information on productivity and socio-economic data. Final analysis for identifying the best management practices will involve multi criteria decision analyses incorporating both GHG emissions and socioeconomic benefits. The outcome of the project will be used to raise awareness among farmers for adopting climate-friendly best management practices (BMPs) with greenhouse gas benefits for salt-affected soils and make recommendations for policymakers in developing adaptation policies and strategies within the respective countries and the South Asian region as a whole.
Conference material