Udaipur: A guest lecture on “Carbon Accounting in Agriculture: Carbon-Neutral Farming” was organised jointly by the Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM) Society and the Department of Soil Science, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur, at the Directorate of Research, MPUAT.
The programme focused on the role of carbon accounting, carbon-neutral farms, sustainable agricultural practices and carbon credits in making agriculture climate-smart, resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable.
The chief guest, Prof. Pratap Singh, Vice-Chancellor, MPUAT, said carbon emissions caused by human activities were continuing to rise and reducing emissions was essential for a sustainable future. He highlighted organic and natural farming as important approaches to reducing agriculture's carbon footprint and conserving natural resources. He particularly emphasised the need to connect small and marginal farmers with scientific carbon accounting practices.
The keynote speaker, Dr R.S. Yadav, Principal Scientist, Natural Resource Management, ICAR, and Acting Director, CAFRI, Jhansi, highlighted the growing relevance of carbon accounting in the context of climate change and sustainable agriculture.
Dr Yadav said carbon accounting should not remain confined to theoretical calculations but should be integrated with actual farm management decisions. He stressed the need to enable farmers to identify major sources of carbon emissions on their farms, scientifically assess emissions and adopt suitable technologies to reduce agriculture's carbon footprint.
He also emphasised the importance of creating awareness and building capacities among farmers, students and faculty members in carbon accounting and carbon-neutral farming.
Dr S.K. Sharma, President, PROM Society, and Assistant Director General (Human Resource Management), ICAR, spoke about the significance of PROM and highlighted the contribution of the society's founders towards its development and promotion. He also discussed scientific methodologies for carbon accounting, assessment of emissions and carbon removal, and the need for recognised carbon standards and verification systems.
Dr K.K. Yadav, Dean, College of Agriculture, Bhilwara, welcomed the guests and participants and highlighted the relevance of carbon accounting in the prevailing climate change scenario. He underlined its importance for farmers, students and teachers and stressed the need to equip future agricultural professionals with knowledge and practical skills related to carbon management and climate-smart agriculture.
Director of Research Dr Manoj Mahla, Regional Director of Research Dr Shridhar Singh Lakhawat, Dr B.L. Meena, members of the PROM Society, faculty members of the Department of Soil Science and students were present at the programme.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr Ravikant Sharma, Deputy Director of Research, MPUAT, Udaipur.