'REDDiness' is needed to implement REDD+ :

'REDD'+ paves way for availing Carbon credit from soils.

Dear friends,

The long pending demand of environmentalists and organic growers is heeded (partially of course) at last by the UN. REDD+ is a UN programme under development which is likely to be included in a post 2012 international climate agreement.

It is a well known fact that atmospheric CO₂ is fixed as carbon in not only terrestrial vegetation but also in soils. In fact, ‘Soil’ is the major  medium that contains more carbon than all terrestrial and atmosphere combined.

You may wonder then why tree sequestration alone is taken into account under Kyoto standards when finding the amount of ‘C’ sequestrated in soil is very easy when compared to the difficult task of finding them in trees?. Fertility of the soil is determined by the net amount of organic carbon content available in it. If the O.C is more than there will be reduced usage of agro-chemicals. (Click link 1, Link 2 and Link 3).

It is sacred soil. Not dirt.

Pic.courtasy: Colorado Boulder. 

So, the main intention of the inventors of this carbon credit trading system, with enormous aid from giant agro-chemical and seed  companies, was not to encourage the production of fertile soil but to retain their current potential market which otherwise will vanish if there is improvement in soil fertility. To put it simply, these mega multinational companies will suffer huge losses with the decrease in the usage of chemical fertilizers and the so called doctored hybrid seeds.

The Kyoto protocol has also established that the tree grower has to give a legal guarantee that he won’t cut trees for 30 years (in some cases for 100 years). It is illegal to convert the land for food production or even grazing land. The farmer can not sell his land and he can only reclaim his land for future use when all the carbon credits are refunded in hard cash or replaced by credits from some place else. By adopting these clever strategies, emergence of new fertile agriculture areas can be restricted thereby encouraging agriculture in lands which need constant chemical inputs.

Now, this major lacuna is find (seems to be) addressed in the proposed REDD+.

REDD+ means ‘Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation', and '+' means enhancing carbon through sustainable forest management, without sacrificing the ecosystem services, livelihood and biodiversity. Thus, REDD+ is sustainable forest management through conserving forest and enhancing carbon stock.

Thus, REDD is a global endeavour to create an incentive for developing countries to protect, better manage and save their forest resources, thus contributing to the global fight against climate change.

If this programme is implemented fully then the consequences will be far reaching as it envisages assessment of carbon not only above ground level (read ‘trees’) but also below ground level (read ‘soil’). To put it simply, financial value of the carbon added in the soil over and above the value of carbon already stored in the base line year will be suitably compensated by money or can be availed as carbon credit.

There are yet to be solved challenges like, How will the REDD+ mechanism link to existing national forestry programs? How can forest communities and farmers participate in the design, monitoring and evaluation of national REDD+ programmes? How will REDD+ be funded, and how will countries ensure that benefits are distributed equitably among all those who manage the forests in Govt. lands and private lands? Finally, how will the amount of carbon stored and sequestrated as a result of REDD+ be monitored?.

India has only 2% of the global forest area. In 1987, we had 19.49% of forest cover out of the total geographic area of the country and in the assessment made in 2007 it was found that forest cover increased to 21.02% (79.37 Million Hectares). India achieved this increase despite pressures like maintaining 16% of world’s human population and 18% of world’s cattle population.

1. India is very keen to implement this REDD+ since the approach incorporates important benefits of livelihoods improvement, biodiversity conservation to protect, better manage and save our forest resources, thus contributing to the global fight against climate change.
2. REDD+ goes beyond merely checking deforestation and forest degradation, and includes incentives for positive elements of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
3. It works on the basis of creating a financial value for the carbon stored and enhanced in biomass and soil of standing forests. Countries that reduce emissions and undertake sustainable management of forests will be entitled to receive funds and resources as incentives.

The key objectives of the REDD+ are:

1. To assess baseline carbon in the identified sites with reference to a    

    baseline year.

2. To assess additionality (gains) in carbon stock in the sites as a result of   

    SMF (Sustainable Management of Forests) and other good practices. The   

    carbon will be assessed by adding above ground and below ground carbon 
    as per IPCC guideline.

3. To assess leakage (loss) of carbon from the identified sites as a result of  

    unsustainable practices.

4. To apply the methodology for monitoring success of REDD+ at National 

    level.

So, 'REDDiness' is needed on our part to implement 'REDD'.

This article flowed out after I happened to hear from Mr.Irulandi, IFS, who is now Chief Conservator of Forests (CDM) and Project Director (TCPL) in the Project Management unit of the Tamilnadu Bio-diversity Conservation and Greening Project (TBGP), that he had attended one REDD+ meeting last month at ICFRI, Dehradun as representative of TN Govt.

Source: Click: 1. REDD+   2. ‘Preparedness of REDD Plus in India’.

Regards,

A.Vishnu Sankar. 

Suggestion to Mr.Amir Khan, Cine actor, on the topic “Toxic Food in our food plate” in 'Satyamevajeyate' - TV episode on 24-6-2012:

Maintain 'Soil health'

for your 'Body health'

'Soil health' is 'Nation's wealth'

Mr.Aamir, you have ignited a spark!. No Doubt.

But, asking farmers to switch over to "Organic Agriculture" and discussing merits of the case in one Television episode is not enough.

This kind of mass awakening is necessary but to sustain the interest and to make it to reality, the root cause of the problem has to be identified.

Fancy phrases like 'Organic agriculture’ ‘Chemical agriculture’ ‘Biotech agriculture’ ‘Zero budget farming’ ‘Do Nothing farming’ Etc., Etc., are doing the rounds now. Basic concept of all is about the importance of Organic carbon content in soil for sustainable agriculture.

The problem in India is lower Organic Carbon content of soil resulting in lower productivity.The remedy is to adopt 'AGROFORESTRY' in a meaningful way, to increase 'Organic Matter (OM) and Organic Carbon (OC) of farm soil without any major effort. The increased OC and OM in the soil naturally increases its productivity without any usage of Chemical Fertilizers.

My detailed presentation on the above can be seen in the link: Agroforestry. 

Yes! it is possible to check the amount of toxic food to enter your plate.

Regards,

A.Vishnu Sankar

vishnusankar@ymail.com

http://agrowmania.blogspot.in/

Soil Science - Basic Knowledge

S O I L S C I E N C E

As a tree grower we should have some basic knowledge about the chemical composition of our farm soil enabling us to select correct plant that suits our soil type. Some basic soil types, some problematic soils and their remedy methods are listed here.

Those who have already tested their farm soil and got test reports can verify their soil status with the following 'Soil quality parameter chart.'

S.No. ........ Parameter

1. pH range

Acidic : Below 6.5

Neutral : 6.5 to 7.5

Alkaline : above 7.5

2. E.C Electrical Conductivity should be less than 1.

3. Carbonate status:

P.E - Profuse effervescence

M.E - Medium effervescence

N.E - No effervescence

4. N.P.K
HighStatus ... MediumStatus........... LowStatus

N 148 ............ 113 to 148 .......... Below 113 Kgs per acre

P above 9 ...............4.5 to 9 .............Below 4.5 Kgs per acre

K above 113 ............ 48 to 113 .............Below 48 Kgs per acre

N Nitrogen – Essential for life

P Phosphate – P₂O₅ – Phosphate Pentoxide ( Key to yield)

K Potash – K₂ O – Potassium oxide ( Chemical Policeman)

( Na – Sodium is the thief.)

5. O.C Organic Carbon 0.5 – Good, 1 – Excellent

6. O.M Organic Matter Always double of O.C

Soil weight of 6” depth x 1 Acre area = 10 Lakh Kgs. In that mass if you add 200 tons of dry matter,You will get 20 tons of Organic matter (OM), that will give 10 tons of Organic Carbon (OC) that’s called 1% OC

7. C.E.C Cationic Exchange Capacity. It should be above 50. Achieving 100 is a must. Heavy dose of organic input and Humic acid will enhance CEC considerably.

8. Essential elements: Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen (available from air & water)

9. Major Nutrients: N P K

10. Secondary Nutrients: Ca, Mg and S

Ca – Calcium is the king among the nutrients. Among Ca, Mg, Na & K, more than 50% should be Ca. Ca content should be ¹/₃ to ¹/₂ of C.E.C. In other words Ca should be 50% of CEC. If Ca is low, then apply Calcium Carbonate. Application of Mono calcium Phosphate and Super Phosphate should be increased.

Mg - Magnesium should be 25% of CEC. Ca and Mg should be in the ratio of 3:1. If Mg is low, then apply MgSo₄.

Na, K and other Mineral balance 25% of CEC.

10 a) Micro Nutrients: Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Boron, Chlorine, Fluorine Etc.,

Cu - above 1.2 ppm or Kgs / Acre. If lower, then apply Cu So₄.

Zn - above 1.2 ppm or Kgs / Acre. If lower, then apply Zn So₄.

Mn - above 3.8 ppm or Kgs / Acre. i.e half the value of Fe. If lower, then apply Mn So₄.

Fe - above 6 ppm or Kgs / Acre. i.e double the value of Mn. If lower, then apply Fe So₄.

11. B.S.P: - Base Saturation Percentage should be above 80%.

Ratio between – (Ca + Mg + Na + K / (CEC) x 100 = 80%

12. E.S.P - Exchangeable Sodium Percentage.

Safe level below10

Moderate level 10 to 15.

Toxic level >15.

( Na / CEC) x 100 = below 10%

13. Types of Soil : Sand, Loamy Sand, Sandy Loam, Sandy Clay Loam, Clay loam, Sandy Clay, Silty Clay and Clay.

14. Ideal Soil Texture : Sand 33% : Silt 33% : Clay 33%

15. Acidic soil and its remedies: ( ‘அமில நிலம் ’ in Tamil)

Acidity due to Lower Ph because of low Ca.

pH range below 6.5 is Acidic.

Apply recommended dose of Calcium 10 days before applying any basal fertilizers then plough well to properly mix the Ca in the soil and irrigate.

16. Alkaline soil and its remedies: ( ‘களர் நிலம் ' in Tamil) Alkalinity due to higher pH because of the presence of Na.

Soil pH above 8 to 8.9 is Alkaline.

E.C below 4

E.S.P Below 10% (For Sodic Soil above 15%)

Growth of sensitive deep rooted crops will be moderately affected.

Apply liberal Qty. of FYM, raise Green Manure crops and plough them back into soil to increase O.C thereby increasing the drainage capacity of the soil.

Basal application of 300 Kgs of Gypsum per Acre for every crop. Apply more depending upon the alkalinity of the soil.

Use only Fertilizers like DAP, Zn So₄, Am So₄, K₂ So₄ (Pottassium Sulphate) Etc.

17. Sodic soil and its remedies: Presence of Na above 15 in Alkaline soil.

Soil pH above 9

E.C below 4

E.S.P above 15% (For Alkaline soils below 10%)

Sodium Carbonate in the Soil reacts with salts and Fertilizers and the end products get deposited as white patches above the soil.
Because of higher pH, nutrients in the soil are less. Since the soil subsurface is harder, plant roots can’t able to penetrate it.
Remedy for Sodic Soil:
Raise Daincha or Sunhemp and plough it back into soil (incorporate).

Cultivate Sun Flower Crop every year. It was proved that the Sun Flower plant absorbs Na from the soil and stores them in its parts. After harvest, the total plant with dried leaves should be removed.
Apply 5 Tons of press mud from Sugar mill.

Use only Fertilizers like DAP, Zn So₄, Am So₄, K₂ So₄ (Pottassium Sulphate) Etc.

Apply liberal Qty. of M.N nutrients especially Zn. (Zn So4 @ 40Kgs per Hect. as basal is necessary.

25% more N as Basal is necessary.

Raise Saline resistant varieties (Such as Trichy 1, Co 43 in Paddy)

For Paddy, transplant only matured plantlings of 35 to 40 days age. Plant 3 to 5 saplings per Kuthu. Sodic condition can be rectified using Chemicals such as Gypsum, Sulphur or Pairates.

Role of Gypsum (Ca So₄) in the reclamation of Sodic Soil:

Contents of Gypsum: S 18% + Ca 23% + P2 O5 5%

Regular application of Gypsum (Ca So₄) @ 200 Kgs per Acre will give good yields because of it’s S and Ca contents.

It neutralizes the harmful Na in the soil and reduces the E.S.P.

For Sodic soil reclamation :

1) Deep plough the field twice especially by Disc plough. It breaks open the hard soil pan lies in the subsurface and brings out the Na rich soil to the surface.

2) Evenly spread Gypsum (Ca So₄) 2 Tons – leading in good quality water (leaching) – puddling by cage wheel ( தொலியடிப்பு ) - maintain Water level at 6’’ and wait for 2 days. - Ca So₄ in Gypsum reacts with Na ( Sodium Bicarbonate ) in the soil and becomes Na So₄ – Drain out the frothy Na So₄ solution from the field. – Irrigate immediately - puddling by cage wheel ( தொலியடிப்பு) 2^nd time – Drain out the frothy Na So₄ solution from the field.

3) Raise Daincha and incorporate. 4) Afetr that raise ‘Horse Gram’ ( “கானம் ” in Tamil) and don’t take seeds in the first year – allow the seeds to drop and the plant to wither – after the rains i.e. in the next season take seeds.

Saline soil and its remedies: ( ‘ உவர் நிலம்’ in Tamil)
Normal Ph range, but with more E.C, because of Sulphates and Chlorates of Ca, Mg, Na and K.

Soil with high soluble salts, hence E.C above 4

Density of the cell sap in the root system is lower than the density of the salts in the soil resulting in reverse osmosis. (i.e) water / cell sap will ooze out of the cell wall and into the soil.

Cultivate Saline (Uvar) tolerant varieties such as Paddy , Ragi, Cotton, Sugar cane and Chillies,

Apply liberal Qty. of FYM, raise Green Manure crops and plough them back into soil to increase O.C thereby increasing the drainage capacity of the soil.

Level the field evenly - Irrigate Soft water ( free from Bicarbonates) copiously – maintain water level – then drain out the water completely - the unwanted salts dissolves in the water and flows out.

Provide adequate channels to let in rainwater and water from the irrigation tank. Salts will be washed off during heavy rains. Drain out the salt dissolved water from the field. We can reduce the salt content of the soil by increasing the drainage capacity of the field.