Carbon Footprints and Conventional Rice Cultivation; A Case Study in Thanjavur District

Aims: The study aimed to analyse the carbon footprint of conventional rice cultivation and also the carbon economic efficiency.

Study Design: Multi-stage random sampling was used.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu between April and May 2022.

Methodology: Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. The main methodology used in finding the carbon footprint is LCA (Life Cycle Analysis). A well-structured interview schedule was used in the collection of data. Various kinds of literature were referred to find emission factors which were used in the study. A sample of 60 farmers was selected and data was collected. Also, 5 mills were visited to understand the process of milling, storage and transport of rice.

Results: A total carbon footprint of 6720.46 Kg CO2e/ha was determined from the study for the cultivation, harvest, and post-harvest operations of rice production. Harvest and post-harvest processes result in a carbon footprint of 1851.46 Kg CO2e/ha, while the carbon footprint of cultivation is 4869 Kg CO2e/ha. In addition, the carbon economic efficiency was shown to be 23.39, meaning that the economic worth of rice production is 23.39 Rs per kg of carbon emission.

Conclusion: An important factor in greenhouse gas emissions and a bigger carbon footprint is the use of fertilizers, irrigation techniques, and straw management. An important recommendation to reduce the carbon footprint is the alternate wetting and drying method of irrigation. A further way to lessen the environmental impact of rice farming is to use fewer fertilizers and pesticides.