Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part B (2022)

The agriculture sector in Sri Lanka very similar to global situation contributes 25% of the GHG emission especially through methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide. Among sources of GHG emission in the agriculture sector, the main emphasis should be given to emission reduction from rice fields, livestock, and cultivated area of organic soils in the order of importance. GHG emissions from cropland (mostly rice cultivation and cultivation of organic soils) account for 69.5% of total emissions, while the livestock sector (especially enteric fermentation) accounts for 30.5 %. In addition, the green cover helps to reduce the greenhouse effect where, reflectivity or the land surface albedo (LSA) reduces by the green cover.
The general objective of the main programme was to prepare a Carbon Net Zero Road Map and a Strategic Plan to enable the country to achieve its Carbon Net Zero goal by the year 2050 with clear milestones. The present paper confines its objective to the agriculture sector. The strategic approach was adopted in this exercise with two scenarios to achieve an acceptable level of GHG emission and possible carbon sequestration rates from agricultural lands by the year 2050. The baseline scenario was compared with the suggested scenarios namely 1. NDC 2030 scenario extended to 2050, and 2. Best case scenario with all possible improvements to NDC 2030. 
Results showed that the extended NDC 2030 could reduce GHG emission by 30% of that of 2025 and GHG emission can be reduced by 60 % in 2050 through: removal of rice straws and through good management practices in paddy fields, use of alternatives to chemical fertilizer and good management of soils. Further in case of livestock, improved feed quality and animal comfort can contribute to reduction of CH4. Carbon sequestration in paddy and rain-fed uplands can be increased through ‘Evergreen Agro- ecosystem’ concept and good land management practices.