Daily Hot Topic
Topic : Climate Resilient Farming in India
GS-3 Mains : Economy
Context
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare plans to unveil a framework for climate-resilient agriculture in India.
Why Climate Resilient Farming?
- Climate change is a major threat to agriculture worldwide, impacting food production, crop yields, and overall sustainability.
- Indian agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters like droughts, floods, and cyclones.
- Rising temperatures and changing monsoon patterns directly affect crop productivity.
- By 2100, productivity of most crops in India is projected to decrease by 10-40% due to climate change.
National Programme on Climate-Resilient Agriculture (NPCRA)
- Aims to enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture to climate change.
- Targets 50,000 villages across 27 states identified as climatically vulnerable.
Measures under NPCRA
- Promoting Resilient Crop Varieties: ICAR has developed over 2,000 climate-resilient crop varieties (abiotic and biotic stress-tolerant).
- Water Conservation: Promoting less water-intensive crops and implementing water conservation practices.
- Monitoring Fertiliser Inputs: Ensuring efficient fertiliser use to minimise environmental impact.
- Program Duration and Funding: Expected to run for five years with funding from existing schemes.
Role of ICAR
- Plays a pivotal role in developing innovative technologies and practices to cope with climate variability.
- Contributes to building resilience at both policy and farmer levels.
Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)
- Aims to address climate change challenges while ensuring sustainable food production.
- Focuses on practices that enhance agricultural productivity, improve farmer livelihoods, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
- Examples: Drought-tolerant varieties, conservation agriculture practices (soil organic carbon building, manure management).
Related Government Initiatives
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Improves water-use efficiency in agriculture.
- Soil Health Card Scheme: Encourages soil-friendly practices.
- Promotion of Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties: Supports research and adoption of climate-resilient seeds.
- National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA): ICAR project to enhance agricultural resilience through research and technology demonstration.
Conclusion and Way Forward
- Climate-smart practices and promoting resilient crops are crucial for sustainable agriculture and food security in India.
- By adopting sustainable techniques, improving soil health, and promoting resilient crops, we can build a more resilient and productive agricultural sector.
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