“Climate-resilient agriculture is essential for India’s food security in the era of extreme weather. Discuss.”

Overview

Nearly half of India’s population depends on agriculture, which is becoming more and more susceptible to extreme weather conditions, such as unpredictable monsoons, heat waves, floods, and droughts. Climate-resilient farming is essential to the country’s food security and is no longer an option.

Dimensions of Analysis

• Vulnerability: Because more than 55% of Indian farmland is rain-fed, monsoon patterns have a significant impact on it. Major crops like wheat, rice, and legumes have lower yields due to rising temperatures.
• Resilience Measures: Techniques that increase adaptive capacity include drought-tolerant seeds, micro-irrigation, crop diversification, precision farming, and soil-moisture conservation.
• Institutional Support: Programs like PMFBY, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, and Agri-stack’s digital advisories improve farmer readiness and lower risk.

Crucial Aspects

• Marginal farmers’ adoption of resilient technologies is restricted by high input costs and limited financial availability.
• Climate shock resistance is diminished by infrastructure deficiencies in cold chains, storage, and extension services.
• Policies continue to prioritize rice-wheat systems above millets, pulses, and climate-adaptive crops.

The Way Ahead

• Expand water management and micro-irrigation systems in rain-fed areas.
• Promote millet-based agricultural systems and increase research on climate-tolerant seeds.
• Use local Krishi Vigyan Kendras and digital advisories to improve last-mile extension services.
• Boost MSP coverage and market support for crops that are climate resilient.

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About the Author: Jyoti Verma