SDG Blueprint for Sustainable Agriculture
Objective
The study aims to develop an SDG Blueprint to inform integrated approaches on sustainable agriculture at the national level in India. It is crucial that the lenses of sustainable development, climate action, value chains and multi-stakeholder approaches be considered for sustainable agriculture to contribute towards food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem integrity. The SDG Blueprint which focuses on the national policy interface between SDGs and sustainable agriculture to inform policy and praxis. It identifies synergies and trade-offs existing between sustainable agriculture and all 17 SDGs along with mapping of complex interlinkages.
Main Activities
Identification of synergies and trade-offs
Synergies, trade-offs, and de-linkages in the interface between sustainable agriculture and SDGs were mapped using literature review, expert consultations and key informant interviews.
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Mapping of national policies and stakeholders
Mapped and identified key stakeholders and policy interventions relevant to the nexus between sustainable agriculture and SDGs.
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Key indicators on themes of water, land, energy, and climate risk
Eight indicators derived from the national policies based on four themes using latest available and accessible data - water, land, energy, and climate risk.
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Network analysis
Network analysis was conducted to study the interlinkages between SDGs with respect to sustainable agriculture.
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Expert consultations
Deliberation on the study through expert consultations using nominal group technique. 5 NGT based consultations and 1 validation workshop were undertaken which involved 123 experts.
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Key informant interview
Key informant interviews were conducted with key stakeholders – Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Reserve Bank of India, NITI Aayog, and Central Ground Water Board.
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Dialogue on SDG blueprint for sustainable agriculture
Study findings were validated through a workshop that fostered cross-sectoral discussions and dialogue among the key stakeholders.
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Launch and dissemination of policy brief at WSDS 2024
The policy brief of the SDG Blueprint for sustainable agriculture was launched at WSDS 2024
Partner: Royal Norwegian Embassy
Achievements
SDG Blueprint is developed at the national policy interface to understand the synergies and trade-offs between sustainable agriculture and SDGs and implications for policy and praxis. Policy recommendations are provided to nudge policy makers through identified policy levers in crop-based value chains in India, which can be useful for future research and interventions with respect to sustainable agriculture.
Tools developed
The SDG Blueprint Tool is an open-access knowledge tool which provides the national policy interface between sustainable development goals and sustainable agriculture. The tool is a ready reckoner which can be used by policymakers, researchers, and civil society to inform policy and praxis on the issue of sustainable agriculture in India. Click here to access the tool
Publications
- Policy briefs
- Technical Report
- Media Coverage
- Asian News International
February 8, 2024 - Press Trust of India
February 8, 2024 - The Print
February 8, 2024 - The Week
February 8, 2024 - The Asian Chronicle
February 7, 2024
- Asian News International
Events
SDG Blueprint for Sustainable Agriculture: First Expert Consultation (22nd September):
The first expert consultation took place on 22nd September 2023 and covered SDG 7, SDG 13, and SDG 14
SDG Blueprint for Sustainable Agriculture: Second Expert Consultation (26th September):
The second expert consultation took place on 26th September 2023 and covered SDG 1, SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 5, and SDG 10.
SDG Blueprint for Sustainable Agriculture: Third Expert Consultation (5th October)
The third expert consultation took place on 5th October 2023 and covered SDG 2, SDG 6, SDG 15, and SDG 16.
SDG Blueprint for Sustainable Agriculture: Fourth Expert Consultation (10th October):
The fourth expert consultation took place on 10th October 2023 and covered SDG 8 and SDG 17.
SDG Blueprint for Sustainable Agriculture: Fifth Expert Consultation (12th October):
The fifth expert consultation took place on 12th October 2023 and covered SDG 9, SDG 11, and SDG 12.
Dialogue on SDG Blueprint for Sustainable Agriculture | 9th November 2023:
The dialogue on the SDG Blueprint for Sustainable Agriculture provided an opportunity for validation of the study. The cross-sectoral discussions also focused on integrated strategies at the national level through identifying interlinkages and policy interfaces between SDGs and sustainable and climate-sensitive agriculture.
Launch of SDG Blueprint Policy Brief at World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS 2024):
Policy brief of “SDG Blueprint on Sustainable Agriculture” was released at the session ‘Integrating Sustainable Development’ of WSDS 2024. The publication provides cross-cutting recommendations such as addressing data gaps, strengthening policy coherence, and considering systems’ approaches in decision-making.