An idea “Farming Communities Switch from Traditional Cropping Pattern to Diversified Cropping Pattern in Drought Prone Marathwada Region of Maharashtra” sent by the team led by Prof. Haroon Sajjad, along with Dr. Md Masroor and Mr. Md Hibjur Rahaman from the Department of Geography, JMI has been included in the top 75 Ideas Compendium of LiFE-NITI Aayog. This compendium is a valuable collection of the best ideas and proposals for behavioral interventions necessary for a sustainable lifestyle in our times.
Introduced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, LiFE emphasizes the need to bring about behavioural change through social networks and the importance of a global network of Pro-Planet People to promote a pro-environment lifestyle.
In a program organized by NITI Aayog on World Environment Day 2023 with a thrust on mission LiFE, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Labour and Employment Shri Bhupender Yadav unveiled the list of top 5 Ideas and released the top 75 Ideas Compendium. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the occasion addressed the meet via video message. Every step taken towards Mission LiFE will become a strong shield for the environment in the times to come, he said. He expressed confidence that the collection of Thought Leadership for LiFE released today will further strengthen the resolve for green growth.
The Global Call for Ideas and Papers comprised of two phases. In Phase I, the LiFE Team at NITI Aayog screened 2,538 submissions. The authors of the shortlisted submissions were then invited to submit detailed proposals in Phase II. By March 9, 2023, 674 participants from 42 countries had submitted their detailed proposals for Phase II of the LiFE Global Call for Ideas and Papers. Phase II participants consisted of a diverse community of authors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students, all providing detailed and comprehensive intervention designs for their proposed ideas.
Prof. Sajjad’s idea on “Farming Communities Switch from Traditional Cropping Pattern to Diversified Cropping Pattern in Drought Prone Marathwada Region of Maharashtra” was selected as one of the 75 best ideas. The intervention might aid in reducing the impact of a changing climate on agriculture. The efficiency and viability of the concept will be assessed by contrasting the input-to-output ratio of conventional crops with the newly introduced crops. To determine the new cropping pattern’s viability, the socio-economic effects will be examined.
Farmer training, expert workshops, and focus group discussions will be conducted for capacity- building. The Intervention will enable researchers to develop a thorough strategy to encourage crop diversification. The pilot test will also enable researchers to assess the plan’s viability and effectiveness and formulate effective adaptation and mitigation strategies, said Prof. Sajjad.
Prof. Sajjad extended his deepest gratitude to JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar for not only entrusting him with the opportunity to participate in the Global Call for Ideas and Papers initiated by NITI Aayog but also for the invaluable leadership of the whole JMI fraternity. Prof. Sajjad acknowledged the Vice-Chancellor's visionary leadership and commitment to fostering a culture of research and innovation within the institution.
Full PDF link of the 75 Ideas Compendium is available at:
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