Which of the following is an example of a climate-smart practice?

• A. Tillage-intensive monoculture with heavy pesticide use
• B. Irrigation without soil moisture monitoring
• C. Conservation agriculture with minimal soil disturbance
• D. Growing only one crop year after year

Answer: (C)

Climate-smart farming aims to produce more with less environmental footprint while boosting resilience to climate variability. Conservation agriculture with minimal soil disturbance fits this goal well because it combines reduced tillage, keeping the soil covered with crop residues, and diverse crop rotations. These practices work together to improve soil health: less disturbance preserves soil structure and organic matter, increasing water holding capacity and nutrient cycling; permanent soil cover protects against erosion and moderates temperature; and rotating crops reduces pest pressures and can cut chemical inputs. The result is greater drought tolerance, more stable yields, and often lower greenhouse gas emissions due to less soil disturbance and better carbon retention in the soil. In contrast, tillage-intensive monoculture, irrigation without moisture monitoring, and continuous monocropping tend to increase erosion, water waste, pest pressures, and emissions, making them less aligned with climate-smart goals. So, the climate-smart example is conservation agriculture with minimal soil disturbance.