Farm in Kerala becomes first carbon-neutral farm in India
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Kochi: A seed farm based in Kerala's Ernakulam district's Aluva has been declared India's first carbon-neutral farm. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared the same on Saturday, PTI reported.
The farm, under the Agricultural Department, has achieved a significant reduction in carbon emission, thus achieving the tag of being carbon neutral, CM Vijayan said while making the announcement.
During last year, when the farm emitted 43 tons of carbon, it also procured 213 tons of the same, Vijayan said. Thus it has procured 170 more tons of carbon than its emission. This has helped it to be declared as the first carbon-neutral seed farm in the country, according to Vijayan's explanation.
He said, "Carbon-neutral farms will be set up in all 140 Assembly constituencies...Efforts have already been launched to make 13 farms in Kerala carbon neutral."
He added that carbon-neutral agricultural methods would be implemented through women's groups, and such interventions would be made in the tribal sector as well.
He stated that in addition to the state's goal to achieve food self-sufficiency, the government also plans to maintain ecological equilibrium, which is also important.
He explained that around 30 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, and this can be prevented, and climate change can be regulated through carbon-neutral agricultural practices.
State Agriculture Minister P Prasad and Industries Minister P Rajeeve were present at the programme.