Inputs as Invited Expert for coastal research, Central Agricultural Research Institute, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Approach	Performance measure
Goal 1 # Resource Inventory of coastal salt affected soils
Generation of credible database on distribution and extent of different types of soil and water resources as well as the degradation status of soils using latest technology of remote sensing and GIS.	·         Creation of databank for short, medium and long term planning for soil and land use planning for the coastal ecosystem ·         Classification of coastal problem soils as per soil health index to be worked out will be helpful to plan for sustainable productivity in the long run
Goal # 2: Agriculture sector ─ Natural resource management
Strategy for arresting land degradation through suitable soil & water management, mulching with organic farm wastes and other low cost materials. Location specific low cost integrated plant nutrient management using local organic wastes including vermi-composting, green manuring, etc., and bio-fertilizers Use of sea weeds in coastal land management Promotion of organic agriculture Amelioration of coastal problem soils like, acid sulphate soils, sodic soils in coastal areas with suitable amendments. Management of coastal wetlands Evolving improved/ alternate and integrated farming systems	·         Improve soil productivity in terms of crop yield and better soil health ·         Improvement of productivity of crops and health of degraded soils ·         Managing wasteland in coastal areas for better uses
Integrated plant nutrient system	·   Improvement of nutrient use efficiency ·      Ensuring improved soil health and sustainability in yield with integrated nutrient management practices under adverse soil and ecological conditions
Improved soil and water management techniques for crop production in the salt affected and flood prone areas	·         Enhancement  of crop water  productivity to maximize benefit under salt and waterlogged stress situations ·         Enhancement of resource use efficiencies
Introduction of land shaping techniques under low land situations	·         Alleviation of the problems of water logging and salinity build-up ·         Rain water harvesting to supply fresh irrigation water during scarcity period ·         Converting land from mono-cropping to multiple cropping round the year and enhancing crop production ·         Crop diversification and enhancing cropping intensity
River water dynamics, soil & water salinity, and sedimentation load at specified grid intervals	·         Will help in preparing spatial and temporal variability of soil salinity and other relevant parameters in relation to river water hydrology and sedimentation ·         Appropriate strategies to be adopted for regulating river water flow to minimize increase in soil salinity ·         Sedimentation load in relation to river water hydrology will suggest drainage problems particularly in the coastal lowlands
Working out demand and availability of coastal water sources for their optimal use	·         Demand and availability of coastal water from different river basins should be worked out and optimized for use under various domestic, agriculture and industrial sectors on watershed basis. The water budget so prepared should be aimed at: a) increasing crop productivity for every unit of water; b) increasing potential groundwater supply through artificial recharge methods; c) concentrating on economic activities where the value of water is very high; and d) getting water transfers from the water-rich basins.
Optimal use of surface and subsurface water for arresting salinization of soil	·         Use of subsurface water for large scale irrigation and other practices should be moderated or minimized through application of suitable ‘optimization models’ in order to arrest intrusion of aquifer containing saline water landward ·         For aquifer in the coastal alluvia the artificial recharge, which is estimated to be about 10-15 % of the rainfall amount may be   aimed instead at arresting salt water intrusion landward or pushing the zone further seawards, and thereby reversing any trend for landward movement.
Creation of Integrated water management facilities through water harvesting in the pond on community basis	·         Introduction of on-farm reservoir (OFR) technology for creating water resources and mitigation of drainage problems ·         Adoption of suitable flood protection and drainage measures ·         Enhancement of cropping intensity and food production ·         Create opportunities for inland fisheries and integrated farming practices
Conjunctive use of poor quality water along with harvested rain water	·         Multiple crop cultivation under scarcity of fresh water situation
Desalinated water use and alternate energy use for irrigation and other agricultural operations	·         Attempt should be made to explore production of desalinated water through distillation, reverse osmosis, and electrolysis, most of which are yet to be cost-effective though technologically sound. ·         Alternate energy sources, such as wind,  solar and wave, available in abundance along the coast should be harnessed,  in place of fossil fuel, through use of cost-effective technologies.
Construction of protective embankments	·         Prevention of frequent flooding and intrusion of saline water in the agricultural fields during high tides
Drainage improvement by proper leveling of crop fields and by installing appropriately designed sluice gates, and their proper maintenance	·         Enhancement of crop production and improved crop security ·         Sluice gates to drain out excess water and simultaneously to prevent intrusion of saline water into the cultivated fields
The dynamics of alluvial landscapes and natural sedimentation patterns that determine the nutrient and energy flows in coastal areas are increasingly being modified by human activities, in particular those that affect water flows (dams, increased water extraction, deviation of rivers) and erosion, especially due to deforestation. This prevents or slows down vertical accretion, thus aggravating salt water intrusion and impairing drainage conditions in riverine, delta or estuarine areas. It reduces or blocks sediment supply to the coast itself, which may give rise to the retreat of the coastline through wave erosion. Beach erosion is a growing problem and affects tourism revenue, especially in island nations.	·         Desiltation of river, estuaries and drainage channels will help improvement of drainage, prevention from salt water intrusion and flooding of land. ·         Beach erosion may be substantially reduced through appropriate measures against erosion ·         Human activities such as construction of dams, diversion of water flow thereby adversely affecting the river hydrology, unplanned extraction of water from the aquifer, deforestation, etc., which are mainly responsible for increasing trend in sedimentation, should be regulated
Promotion of modern irrigation practices, viz. low volume cum high frequency methods	·         Enhancement of crop production with judicious and conjunctive use of available water resources
Development of agricultural machineries	·         Suitable small and cost-effective agricultural machineries including hand tools useful for small and fragmented lands that dominate the coastal areas will be beneficial in augmenting crop productivity and boosting the economy of the farmers
Goal # 3 : Agriculture sector ─ Crop improvement
Exploration of indigenous germplasm across different coastal areas and introduction of HYVs of rice especially for aus and boro rice	·         Enhancement of rice production during non-monsoon period ·         Towards ensuring food security as food production is not solely dependent on monsoon aman rice which frequently suffers from cyclone and foods
Exploration of indigenous germplasm across different coastal areas and development of improved salt, flood and submergence tolerant aus, aman and boro rice using biotechnological technologies wherever necessary	·         Scope for improving rice production in the areas prone to flooding and saline water ingress and, areas affected by salinity
Exploration of indigenous germplasm across different coastal areas and introduction of high yielding and/ or low water requiring improved and salt tolerant crops other than rice especially vegetable and fruit crops	·         Enhancement of non-staple foods production ·         Diversification of agriculture ·         Additional availability of non-staple foods to poor people for better nutrition and good health
Development and promotion of high value crops (horticulture, spices, aromatic and medicinal plants) using biotechnological technologies wherever necessary, and encouraging agribusiness enterprises	·         Enhancement of  economic growth by diversification of agriculture ·         Making agriculture competitive to global/ export markets ·         Contract farming will reduce the risk of marketing  and promote post-harvest management systems ·         More employment opportunities for labour from surplus small and marginal households as it’s a labour intensive entrepreneurship
Promotion of seed village and local nursery	·         Availability of quality seeds  and planting materials to the farmers at local levels
Participatory variety selection (PVS)	·         Quick adoption of suitable crop varieties
Goal # 4: Aquaculture sector
Promotion of profitable and sustainable fish production technology such as improved conventional system, pen aquaculture, cage aquaculture, integrated prawn and shrimp farming	·         Enhancement of fish production and income ·         Increase of foreign exchange earning
Mechanization in inland and marine aquaculture	·         Improvement in fish productivity with higher return in the long run ·         Modern communication support to warn fishers of adverse weather forecast, and also inform them with nature and concentration of fish population particularly during deep sea fishing
Promotion of ornamental fish captive and under natural condition	·         Creates tremendous export potential and higher income
Promotion of fisheries in drainage, irrigation channels and canals	·         Employment generation especially for women folks
Promotion of shrimp farming in the area frequently flooded or prone to flooding by saline tide waters	·         Enhancement of fish production from the areas vulnerable to the natural hazards
Establishment and promotion of feed factories and environment-friendly hatcheries	·         Production and supply of quality seeds and feeds in time at local levels to the fisheries ·         Possibility to manufacture low cost feed at local level
Infrastructure development and institutional support	·         Enhancement and development of aquaculture and with long term sustainability ·         Providing adequate supports for inputs, credits and marketing
Establishment of aquaculture technological centers	·         Providing support for disease diagnosis, aquatic health management, disease surveillance and water quality monitoring, information on credits, availability of inputs and government policy, etc.
Better extension services and modern approaches like adaptive learning	·         Providing technological know-how ·         Development of skills for practising profitable and sustainable aquaculture
Goal # 5: Integrated practices of agriculture and aquaculture
Promotion of simultaneous (preferably on community basis) or alternate types of rice-fish farming suited to land situations	·         Production of rice and fish from same piece of land ·         Enhancement of  farm income, employment opportunities and security to livelihood
Integration of vegetables and fruit with rice-fish farming with suitable land shaping	·         Round the year production ·         Enhancement farm income and security to livelihood
Establishment of model integrated farm at block (India) level	·         For acting as demonstration-cum-training center ·         Facilitatating easy adoption of integrated farming system
Goal # 6: Animal husbandry including dairy, and poultry
Developing  low management and high producing breeds of birds and animals along with the use of tolerant and adapted local breeds	Popularize animal components for higher yield for different socio-economic and land holding classes of farmers in order to ensure higher and sustainable income particularly the small and landless ones Ensure higher and healthy animal population for higher yield and quality output. Ensure animal components as part and parcel of the cropping system to be developed for each coastal community.
The  genetically important local breeds like Garol (sheep), Black Bengal (goat), Billy (goat), etc. should be preserved and used as genetic  stock for developing improved breeds through genetic engineering
Location specific potential low cost feed supplements for  animals and poultry birds to be developed using local resources
Animals and poultry birds, particularly ducks, to be introduced as a part of the integrated farming in coastal areas for higher profits and climate change adaptations
Introducing artificial insemination and using advanced technologies to develop high yielding cattle tolerant to high humidity and temperatures prevalent to coastal climates.
Developing high health security to animals, ducks and poultry through appropriate health management programme suitable for high humidity and temperature conditions.
Goal # 7: Non-farm activities/ alternative livelihood
Promotion of alternate livelihood options such as beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, vermi-composting, etc.	·         Create employment opportunities for the small and marginal households ·         Less dependence on mangrove forest areas for honey ·         Increased availability of organic manure for agricultural crops
Conservation and plantation of mangroves throughout coastal areas wherever possible	·         Maintaining the ecology of Sundarbans and other coastal sites ·         Protection of the areas from natural hazards ·         Acting as carbon sinks
Promotion of community nursery	·         Providing quality planting materials at lower cost for plantation of mangroves and non-mangroves tree species
Promotion of plantation along the canals, roads and river embankments and, agroforesty	·         Enhancement of the area under forest ·         Reduction of people’s dependency on coastal forest for fuel, fodder and woods ·         Protecting the areas from natural hazards through bio-shield
Promotion of cooperative culture, agribusiness, markets, stores, roads & transport, linkages & communication (preferably through e-governance)	·         Each one of these activities will encourage  farmers/ fishers to promote higher productivity through better access to market, in particular, and thereby generate more income with minimal or no help of the middlemen or brokers
Goal # 8: Integrated policy for tidally dominated (TD) areas
Framing a unified Integrated TD policy for different delta areas	·    A common policy will ensure        implementation of the causes, like river water flow and associated factors, conservation of forest,  aquaculture practices, disaster management, etc., in a sustainable manner ·   Establishment of a rapid and efficient disaster warning and management network throughout the entire TD areas
Goal 9 # Public-private partnership for effective dissemination of technologies
Efficient extension services with meaningful coordination within public sectors and between public and private sectors	·         Delineation of areas for location-specific suitable technologies ·         Rapid dissemination of technologies ·         Avoidance of repetition of works by different agencies
Goal # 10: Ecology and adoption to climate change
Adoption of such practices as conservation tillage, use of organic farming along with incorporation of organic residues and other materials such as biochar, appropriate land restoration & management practices, reduction of erosion, and optimal water use patterns like SRI in waterlogged rice cultivation are known for reduced emission of CH4 and N2O and thereby moderate climate change effects	§ Reduced climate change effects will help maintain ecology and productivity, and also moderate adverse threats due to natural hazards
Coastal waterlogged marshes are regarded as a rich source for carbon sink; therefore appropriate attention is required to estimate this valuable parameter with reference to different natural parameters prevalent in this ecosystem and preferably over a long period of time in the past through radiocarbon dating.	§ A study on this and its proper use will be very much helpful in ensuring sustenance in productivity and adaptation against climate change
Coastal ecosystem should be regarded as a rich repository of natural resources including plant and animal species	§ Abundance of natural resources and  their equilibrium developed and maintained over a long period of time is invaluable in ensuring sustenance in ecology vis-a-vis climate change and thereby withstand to a significant measure threats against natural disaster
Identifying intervention matrix of different technological, anthropological, natural & other climatic factors along with estimation of vulnerability index, and develop optimization guidelines for each coastal site. There should be an appropriate strategy to be worked out on optimum population density in the coastal ecosystem	§ Appropriate strategies and guidelines will ensure withstand in the long run damage against climate change for coastal and adjoining inland areas. § Optimum population density will ensure damage against natural disaster
Coral reefs cover < 0.5 % of the ocean floor and 90 % of the marine species are directly or indirectly dependent on them. About 20% of coral reefs have been destroyed in the last few decades and an additional 20% or more are severely degraded on a global scale. There is no proper estimate of the damage in the marine ecosystem in India. Among others coral bleaching, which results from rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change is also increasing and further threatens this valuable resource. Necessary action should be taken for estimating the damage and steps to prevent such damage especially in the wake of climate change.	§ Steps against damage of the coral reefs, a   highly valuable marine resource, will ensure to a significant extent maintain the aquatic species and sustain the ecological balance
The estuaries, regarded as “nurseries of the sea”, should be protected and maintained against environmental hazards and anthropological activities.	§ Most commercially important fish species spend some part of their life cycle in estuaries. Besides fish, many species of birds depend on estuaries for food and nesting areas. Marine mammals also use estuaries as feeding grounds and nurseries. All these marine organisms feed in estuaries because a healthy estuary produces between 4 and 10 times as much organic matter as a cornfield of the same size. Estuaries provide a wide range of habitats leading to a great diversity of marine life. Thus, maintenance of the estuaries will be very much helpful towards sustenance of the ecological balance.
The urban developments are taking up fertile agricultural land and leading to pollution of rivers, estuaries and seas by sewage as well as industrial and agricultural effluents. In turn, this is posing a threat to coastal ecosystems, their biological diversity, environmental regulatory functions and role in generating employment and food. Overuse of fertilizer can result in eutrophication, and in extreme cases, the creation of ‘dead zones’. Dead zones occur when excess nutrients—usually nitrogen and phosphorus—from agriculture or the burning of fossil fuels seep into the water system and fertilize blooms of algae along the coast. Besides, the occurrence of hypoxia in shallow coastal and estuarine areas has been increasing worldwide, most likely accelerated by anthropogenic activities.	§ Human activities, which now contribute more to the supply of fixed nitrogen each year than natural processes do, should be regulated particularly in the areas of use of fertilizer,  burning of fossil fuels, and surge in land clearing and deforestation. Thus, appropriate strategies should be developed to decrease the menace due to eutrophication, hypoxia and dead zones, which will help in maintaining the ecological balance of the ecosystem..
Goal # 11 Forecasting flood and natural hazards
Developing and validating a trans-continental forecasting system against flood and natural hazards	·         A system to be developed that may bring together operational meteorological forecasts with satellite and discharge data and a suite of hydrological models. ·         Network technologies should be perfected for rapid dissemination. ·         It should preferably be tested for validity in a trans-continental mode, and may be used as a template for flood forecasting also