What's Happening?

India is advancing a robust strategy to shield its farmers from the escalating impacts of climate change. This initiative, spearheaded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, encompasses climate risk assessment, resilient crop development, water management, capacity building, and financial safeguards. The National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) programme is central to this effort, conducting climate vulnerability assessments across 651 agricultural districts. Findings indicate that 310 districts are climate-vulnerable, with 109 classified as 'very high' and 201 as 'highly' vulnerable. District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) have been developed to provide location-specific strategies for managing weather aberrations, including recommendations on climate-resilient crops and adaptive farm management practices.

Why It's Important?

The strategy aims to mitigate the risks faced by farmers due to climate change, particularly in the 310 vulnerable districts. These areas are prone to extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves, which can severely impact crop yields and farmer livelihoods. The implementation of climate-resilient technologies and crop varieties is expected to reduce these risks, ensuring more stable agricultural productivity. Financial protection through insurance schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) offers additional security against crop losses due to adverse weather events.

What's Next?

The NICRA programme's assessments and contingency plans are ongoing, with continuous updates to adapt to evolving climate conditions. The government has released 2,900 crop varieties between 2014 and 2024, with 2,661 varieties tolerant to various stresses. These efforts are complemented by initiatives such as the Per Drop More Crop and Rainfed Area Development schemes, which promote efficient water use and integrated farming systems. The financial protection schemes have been active since 2016, providing significant relief to farmers affected by natural calamities.

Beyond the Headlines

Farmers are encouraged to adopt climate-resilient crop varieties and practices, participate in capacity-building programs, and utilize available insurance schemes to safeguard against climate-related risks. The government advises farmers to engage with local Krishi Vigyan Kendras for demonstrations and technical assistance.

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