Green-Ag project launched in Mizoram to bring transformative change in the farm sector

On July 29,2020 Green-Agriculture(Green-Ag),a project funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) was launched in Mizoram,India.It was launched by Agriculture minister of Mizoram C Lalrinsanga.

Mizoram is first among the 5 states where the project is to be implemented. The other states are Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.

Objective of Green-Ag:-

• Green-Ag projects aims at accelerating the transformation of Indian agriculture sector into national and international benefits by Greenland management practices, concerns of biodiversity and climate change.
• To mainstream the conservation of critical biodiversity and forest landscapes by transforming agricultural practices of one state.
• The project is believed to reduce the 49 million carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) through sustainable land use and agricultural practices.

Goals: –

To achieve national and Global environmental benefits without compromising  food security and farmers income  

• India’s ability to strengthen rural livelihoods
• To meet the requirements of its food and nutrition security
• Community led initiatives to support conservation of globally important species such as tigers, elephants and Great Indian Bustard.           

Implementation of Project in Mizoram:-

i.Sustainable agriculture was the main component of the project and given the unique advantage of Mizoram in terms of agro-climatic conditions, water availability and a hard-working population

ii.The project covers land in two districts of Lunglei and Mamit, Mizoram including Dampa Tiger Reserve and Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Other virtual participants:-

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Tomio Shichiri and Dr. Alka Bhargava, additional Secretary in Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmer’s Welfare (DAC & FW) gave their virtual addresses while launching the project.

Dr Thomas Hofer, senior forestry officer, RAP, lead technical officer (LTO), Green-Ag Project, FAO RAP also virtually addressed the event from Bangkok.

Key Executive Agencies:

• Global Environment Facility is the funding agency.
• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare (MoA&FW) is the national level executing agency and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations being the designated agency of GEF to implement.
• Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) being the focal point for coordination of all GEF Projects in the country.

Recall of the Green-Ag project:-

i.The project launch of the Green Agriculture project jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) took place on 17 September 2018 at New Delhi.

ii.The pilot project of all states is being done at a total budget of USD 33.5 million (Rs.251 crores) supposed to end on March 31, 2026.

iii.The project is unique in the selection of areas for the project, as it selects places of conservation of critical biodiversity and forest landscapes.  

iv.Key sites of high biodiversity importance will be demonstrated at five target Green Landscapes :-

• Rajasthan: 277,930 (grassland and orans); 
• Mizoram: 13,725 (Jhum- Jhum or Podu means shifting or slash and burn cultivation); 
• Madhya Pradesh: 18000 ha (ravines- ravine is a landform narrower than a canyon and is often the product of stream cutting erosion) and 
• the following areas of High Value Forests: Madhya Pradesh (35,000ha); Mizoram (50,000ha), Odisha (1,75,000ha), Uttarakhand (90,000ha)

v.This project will adopt to mainstream environmental concerns into agriculture sector, 49 MT carbon sequestered GHG reduction, 104,070 ha under sustainable management practices and eco-restoration of 1.8 million hectares of priority biodiversity landscape and replicable models and piloting new sustainable business models.

vi.Project’s goal of supporting the achievement of global environmental benefits is aligned with the GEF 2020 vision of enhancing resilience and adaptation, and the overall strategic priorities of GEF 7.

Key areas targeted for strengthening are:-

• National Mission on sustainable agriculture    
• National Livestock Mission
• National Food Security Mission
• National Initiative on Climate-resilient Agriculture.               
• National Mission for Horticulture and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Click here for project detail

Landscapes of five States to implemented in project: –

About Global Environment Facility GEF:

• CEO & Chairperson – Dr. Naoko Ishii, her second term is set to end in August, 2020.
• Trustee – World Bank.
• Headquarters – Washington DC, USA.

About Mizoram: 

• Chief Minister – Zoramthanga, 
• Capital – Aizawl, 
• Governor – P.S. Sreedharan Pillai.