Why in News- The central government is planning to unveil a framework to promote climate-resilient farming in 50,000 villages located in climate-sensitive districts. This initiative is part of a comprehensive national program on climate-resilient agriculture, which is to be launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare as part of their 100-day agenda.
UPSC Syllabus:
Prelims: Economy
Mains: GS-III: Economy
National Programme on Climate-Resilient Agriculture
This initiative is part of a national program on climate-resilient agriculture, which the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is planning to launch as part of the 100-day agenda.
Key Components of the Programme
• Encouraging farmers to grow crops that require less water, thereby conserving water resources.
• Implementing strategies to conserve and manage local water sources to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Ensuring efficient and balanced use of fertilizers to maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact.
Selection of villages and districts
• Officials will select 50,000 villages from 310 districts that have been identified as climate-vulnerable.
• These districts are spread across 27 states, with Uttar Pradesh having the highest number of districts (48), followed by Rajasthan (27).
What is climate-resilient agriculture?
• Climate-resilient agriculture refers to farming practices that are specifically designed to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
• These practices help ensure sustainable food production, preserve ecosystem services, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• It aims to make agricultural systems more resilient to extreme weather events, changing climate conditions, and other climate-related challenges.
What are climate-resilient regions?
• Climate-sensitive regions are those areas that are highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
• These areas often experience extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and cyclones more frequently and with greater intensity.
• The vulnerability of these areas is determined by factors such as geographical location, socio-economic conditions, and existing agricultural practices.
Challenges Faced by the Agriculture Sector
The agriculture sector in India is facing several challenges that affect productivity and sustainability. Some of the major challenges are as follows:
• A significant portion of Indian agriculture is dependent on monsoon rains, making it vulnerable during droughts.
• Overexploitation of groundwater for irrigation has led to a sharp decline in groundwater levels in many areas.
• Long-term use of chemical fertilizers has led to soil erosion and loss of fertility.
• Unsustainable agricultural practices have contributed to soil erosion, affecting crop yields.
• Poor infrastructure including storage and transportation facilities limits market access for farmers.
• Farmers often face price volatility due to market fluctuations and lack of proper market linkages.
• The increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts has disrupted agricultural activities.
• Rising temperatures have affected crop growth cycles and productivity.
Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity
Yield Reduction:
Higher Temperatures: Higher temperatures can lead to heat stress in crops, reducing yield.
Pest and Disease Outbreaks: Changes in climatic conditions have led to increased pest and disease outbreaks, affecting crop health.
Water Availability:
Changed Rainfall Patterns: Changes in rainfall patterns have led to water scarcity during critical growth periods for crops.
Droughts and Floods: The increasing frequency of droughts and floods has disrupted planting and harvesting cycles.
Soil Health:
Soil Erosion: Extreme weather events have accelerated soil erosion, leading to the loss of arable land.
Nutrient Depletion: Climate change has contributed to the depletion of essential soil nutrients, affecting crop quality.
Government Initiatives to Address Agricultural Challenges
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY):
Objective: To improve the efficiency of water use on the farm through micro irrigation and water conservation.
Impact: Increase availability of water for irrigation and increase crop productivity.
Soil Health Card Scheme:
Objective: To provide soil health cards to farmers with information on soil nutrient status and recommendations for appropriate dosage of nutrients.
Impact: Improve soil fertility management and reduce input costs.
National Agriculture Market (ENAM):
Objective: To create a unified national market for agricultural commodities by integrating the existing Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs). Impact: Increased market access and price discovery for farmers.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):
Objective: To provide comprehensive insurance coverage to farmers against crop failure due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
Impact: Financial protection and risk mitigation for farmers.
Future Directions
Voluntary Carbon Market Project
• Climate-United States In addition to the Sustainable Agriculture framework, the Ministry of Agriculture plans to launch a voluntary carbon market project to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
• The project aims to encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly methods.
How the government’s plan for climate-resilient agriculture is linked to SDG goals
The central government is taking significant steps to promote climate-resilient agriculture, which is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Linking Climate Resilient Agriculture to SDG Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations to address a range of global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
The government’s plan for climate-resilient agriculture is aligned with several of these goals, particularly:
SDG 2: Freedom from Hunger
• End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
• Promoting climate-resilient crops ensures food security and reduces the risk of crop failure due to extreme weather events.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
• Efficient water use and conservation practices in agriculture contribute to the sustainable management of water resources.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• Promoting low-water crops and monitoring fertilizer use helps achieve sustainable production patterns.
SDG 13: Climate Action
• Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
• Developing and promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices directly addresses climate action by mitigating the impacts of climate change.
SDG 15: Life on Land
• Protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt land degradation and reverse biodiversity loss.
• Sustainable agricultural practices help restore soil health, halt land degradation, and promote biodiversity.