There have been some recent developments in the field of agriculture in the southern states of India. South India is normally seen as a hot arid land due to the general perception in the citizens that it is located nearer to the equator and any shift in the pattern of monsoon breaks the moral of the deft ridden farmers and drives towards the cruel practice of suicides. But things are improving and I would like to cite two network groups are responsible in improving the things there: Fair Climate Network (FCN) and Agricultural and Training Development Society (ADATS), both based in Bangalore, a city in the Peninsular India more known as a IT hub.

Fair Climate Network basically brings the development workers, climate change experts, activities, environmentalists, scientists etc. from India and abroad together and engage them in the grassroots bodies. The agricultural sectors possess huge potential for carbon emission reduction. Developing the farming processes based on low carbon practices and shifting into the sustainable methods and result in an excellent CDM Project. FCN essentially facilitate CDM projects and tap the carbon resources and generate carbon revenue. FCN claims that presently it has been engaging 10 NGOs in 24, 000 acres of agricultural land owned by 13, 500 farmers.

Meanwhile in the Chickballapur district of Karnataka the demand for firewood and charcoal has lead to large scale deforestation. The soil in this dry land is shallow and poor. Even if one tries afforestation projects, the plant saplings will eventually die out unless water and technical help is given. So what the ADATS do by their Afforestation/Reforestation Program is that they encourage reforestation activity on the waste, uncultivable and fallow lands of the poor farmers. In return the farmers get the share of the forest produce and a full share on the sale of carbon credits. As per now it has been implemented on around 9000 hectares of dry land. They encourage the growth of local species based on the soil-water-climate conditions and personal preferences of the farmers. Presently they are planning to sell Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) for the next 20 years by ensuring GHG removal sinks. And yes, it?s definitely a good news :)