In the heart of India’s rural landscape, where monsoon rains have historically dictated the fate of millions, a new specter looms.

With climate change now an overwhelming force, farmers across the country are confronting weather patterns that are more erratic and extreme than ever before.

The Indian government is scaling up efforts to make agriculture more resilient.

Changing Reality

Through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and its flagship National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture project, the government is equipping farms with new tools, technologies, and knowledge to adapt to the new normal.

Over the past decade, ICAR has released 2,593 new crop varieties, of which 2,177 are specially grown to withstand extreme weather conditions, such as heat waves, droughts and floods.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Bhagirath Choudhary, the minister of state for agriculture & farmers’ welfare, said on Friday that many of these varieties are being introduced to farmers in 448 “Climate Resilient Villages” spread across 151 districts in 28 states and union territories.

Here, farmers are trained to adopt practices that improve soil health, water use efficiency and crop diversification to intensify India’s food security, which is under increasing threat.

Identifying the Problem

A district-level analysis of agricultural vulnerability to climate change conducted under NICRA revealed that 310 districts — nearly half of the 651 analyzed — are considered “highly vulnerable” or “very highly vulnerable” to climate disruptions.

These districts are now the focus of District Agriculture Contingency Plans, which recommend region-specific crop varieties and adaptive farming techniques.

For instance, the Per Drop More Crop scheme was launched during 2015-16 to increase water use efficiency at the farm level through micro irrigation technologies such as drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.

The minister further said that the Rainfed Area Development Scheme is being implemented as a component under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture from 2014-15 in the country.

RAD focuses on the integrated farming system to enhance productivity and minimize risks associated with climatic variability.

A Holistic Approach to Risk Management

The unpredictability of weather is also threatening India’s horticulture industry, where fruits and vegetables require careful weather management. To address this, the government has launched the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, or MIDH, and the Agroforestry and National Bamboo Mission, which aim to build climate resilience into the system.

For years, crop failures caused by extreme weather events have triggered financial hardship for farmers, often pushing them into debt.

To cushion against such shocks, the government is promoting crop insurance schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme, providing financial support to farmers whose crops fail due to floods, droughts and other natural calamities.

As India grapples with the realities of climate change, the resilience of its agricultural sector will be pivotal for the nation’s food security and livelihood stability.

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