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Climate Smart Agriculture & Agroforestry for Climate Change Mitigation

Project Title: Climate Smart Agriculture & Agroforestry for Climate Change Mitigation

Project Location: North & South Karnataka, India

Project Duration: 40 Years

Project Overview:

The "Climate Smart Agriculture & Agroforestry for Climate Change Mitigation" project is designed in alignment with the Verra VCS Methodology VM0042, focusing on integrating climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and agroforestry practices for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Located in North and South Karnataka, India, the project specifically targets smallholder farmers, aiming to enhance their resilience to climate change while simultaneously contributing to global greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction through carbon sequestration.

The project employs the VM0042 methodology, which outlines guidelines for reducing emissions through enhanced land-use management and agroforestry systems. By promoting sustainable farming techniques and integrating tree planting with agricultural practices, the project will enhance soil health, sequester carbon, improve water use efficiency, and restore degraded lands, all while improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Objectives:

Carbon Sequestration: Implement climate-smart agricultural and agroforestry practices that lead to increased carbon sequestration in soils and biomass, in line with the guidelines of the Verra VCS Methodology VM0042.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Promote CSA practices such as conservation tillage, agroecological farming, soil fertility improvement, and efficient water management to improve productivity while minimizing emissions.
Agroforestry Integration for Climate Mitigation: Facilitate the integration of trees within agricultural landscapes to enhance carbon capture, soil health, and biodiversity, while providing economic benefits to farmers through sustainable timber, fruit, and non-timber products.
Climate Adaptation: Build the adaptive capacity of farmers to cope with climate change impacts by introducing resilient crop varieties, improving irrigation practices, and reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events.
Capacity Building & Awareness: Train farmers, local agricultural officers, and community members on climate-smart practices, carbon accounting, and the benefits of agroforestry for climate change mitigation, with a focus on certification under the Verra VCS standards.

Key Activities:

Training and Capacity Building: Conduct training programs and workshops on the VM0042 methodology, focusing on carbon accounting, CSA, agroforestry techniques, and climate adaptation strategies. This will include local workshops, farmer field schools, and hands-on training in carbon monitoring and management.
Agroforestry Demonstration Plots: Establish demonstration plots to showcase the integration of trees with crops, with an emphasis on species that are proven to sequester carbon, improve soil fertility, and provide financial returns for farmers. These plots will adhere to VM0042's guidelines on carbon measurement and monitoring.
Soil Health and Fertility Management: Promote soil management techniques such as composting, cover cropping, and agroecological practices that enhance carbon storage and reduce emissions, in line with VM0042’s soil carbon sequestration requirements.
Water Management for Resilience: Implement efficient water management practices, including rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and watershed management, ensuring that water use is optimized and that these practices align with climate adaptation strategies under the Verra standards.
Carbon Monitoring and Verification: Establish a robust system for monitoring and verifying carbon sequestration, ensuring that the project complies with the Verra VCS requirements. This will include soil sampling, biomass measurements, and periodic carbon audits to quantify emissions reductions and ensure project credibility.
Verification and Certification: Work toward third-party verification and certification under the Verra VCS Methodology VM0042, ensuring the project’s carbon credits are accurately quantified and can be traded on the voluntary carbon market.

Expected Outcomes:

Carbon Sequestration: Significant reduction in carbon emissions through increased soil and biomass carbon stocks, in line with VM0042.
Improved Land Productivity: Enhanced agricultural yields through sustainable practices, leading to better food security and higher income for farmers.
Ecosystem Restoration: Restoration of degraded lands through agroforestry and improved land management practices.
Increased Resilience to Climate Change: Improved capacity of farmers to adapt to climate variability and extreme weather, resulting in more resilient farming systems.
Certified Carbon Credits: Successful certification under the Verra VCS, generating verified carbon credits that can be sold to support the continued expansion of climate-smart farming.

Target Beneficiaries:

Smallholder farmers in North and South Karnataka, particularly those in vulnerable communities facing climate-related challenges.
Rural communities, including women and youth, engaged in agricultural and agroforestry activities.
Local extension services and agricultural stakeholders involved in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Partnerships and Stakeholders:

Government of Karnataka and relevant agricultural departments.
Local NGOs and community organizations engaged in sustainable agriculture and climate change initiatives.
Agricultural cooperatives and farmer producer organizations (FPOs).
Research institutions and experts on climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry.
Verra VCS project validators and third-party verification bodies.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

The project will employ rigorous monitoring and evaluation processes, in line with Verra VCS standards, to assess the effectiveness of carbon sequestration, GHG emission reductions, and overall project impacts. Key indicators include soil carbon stocks, biomass measurements, crop yield improvements, and carbon credits generated. The project’s carbon reduction performance will be evaluated annually, with external verification conducted by a third-party agency.