Micro-Level Assessment of Agricultural Methane Emissions and Farmer Awareness in Narmadapuram District, Madhya Pradesh: Implications for Sub-National Climate Policy and Institutional Action

Abstract

Background: Agriculture constitutes the largest anthropogenic source of methane (CH₄) emissions in India, accounting for approximately 65% of national methane inventory. Despite this significance, district-level empirical data on emission-generating practices and farmer awareness remain critically scarce, limiting the effectiveness of sub-national climate action. This study provides the first comprehensive micro-level assessment of methane-emitting agricultural practices across rice cultivation, livestock rearing, and agricultural waste management in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh, and examines their relationship with farmer awareness and institutional capacity.

Methods: A mixed-methods research design was employed with 600 farmers systematically selected from three high-paddy cultivation blocks: Pipariya, Bankhedi, and Sohagpur. Validated assessment scales (RCMEPS, LMEMPS, AWMPS) with established reliability (Cronbach's α: 0.76–0.83) were administered to quantify methane-emitting practices. Farmer awareness and attitudes were measured using a 40-item Likert scale (reliability coefficient = 0.81). Institutional perspectives were gathered from 43 officials across agriculture, animal husbandry, rural development, and Panchayati Raj departments using semi-structured questionnaires. Focus group discussions with farmers provided qualitative depth. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression using SPSS 26.

Results: Overall, 51% of farmers adopted high methane-emitting practices in rice cultivation, 56% in livestock rearing, and 62% in agricultural waste management. Block-wise variation was substantial: Bankhedi exhibited the highest emission intensity (82% high rice emissions), followed by Pipariya (69% high waste emissions) and Sohagpur (moderate across domains). Farmer awareness regarding agriculture's climate contribution was low in 63% of respondents, with only 8% demonstrating high awareness. ANOVA revealed highly significant differences in emission practices across awareness levels for rice cultivation (F=45.60, p<0.001), livestock rearing (F=723.17, p<0.001), and waste management (F=679.93, p<0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that livestock practices were the strongest predictor of awareness (β=0.574, p<0.001), with the combined model explaining 77% of variance in awareness scores (R²=0.77, p<0.001). Institutional assessment revealed weak inter-departmental coordination (60%), low technical capacity (59%), irregular monitoring systems (63%), and insufficient funding (68%). Major implementation challenges included low farmer awareness (67%), staff shortages (21%), and weak enforcement (12%).

Conclusion: High methane-emitting agricultural practices predominate in Narmadapuram district, strongly associated with critically low farmer awareness and fragmented institutional mechanisms. Livestock management emerges as the most influential domain for awareness enhancement. Block-specific emission patterns necessitate spatially targeted interventions. Strengthening awareness programs, enhancing institutional coordination, establishing robust monitoring systems, and providing financial incentives are essential for translating national climate commitments into effective sub-national action aligned with India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) objectives.