Summary
This cross-sectional study of 250 marginal and smallholder farm households in Tamil Nadu, India identified four distinct farm typologies and measured their greenhouse gas emission profiles using the Cool Farm Tool. The research reveals substantially different emission intensities across farm types, with cash and plantation crop systems showing highest emissions from fertiliser inputs and crop residue burning, whilst cereal systems and livestock management practices drive distinct mitigation opportunities. The findings underscore the necessity for farm-typology-specific climate mitigation strategies in smallholder agriculture.
UK applicability
Whilst this study is contextualised to Indian smallholder systems and climatic conditions, the methodological approach of farm typology-driven emission quantification and the identification of farm-specific mitigation leverage points may inform UK policy development for reducing agricultural emissions across heterogeneous farm sizes and enterprises, particularly for mixed and diverse smaller holdings.
Key measures
Greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, N₂O, CH₄) quantified using the Cool Farm Tool; emissions sources including crop residue burning, fertilizer production and application, enteric fermentation, and manure management
Outcomes reported
The study quantified greenhouse gas emissions across four distinct farm typologies of marginal and smallholder households in Tamil Nadu using the Cool Farm Tool, identifying cash crop and plantation crop-dominated farms as highest emitters. Farm-specific emission profiles revealed that cereal crop-dominated farms had lower emissions, whilst livestock-dominated farms showed higher emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management.
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