Lok Sabha Question No. 2307 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-03
Subject: Effects of Climate Change on the Agriculture  Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Uttam Kumar Nalamada Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2307

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03/12/2019

## EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR

## 2307.  SHRI UTTAM KUMAR REDDY NALAMADA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  studies  have  been  conducted  to  understand  the  effects  of  climate change on the agriculture sector in India and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  any  research  has  been  commissioned  by  the  Government  to  link  the predictions regarding climate change with studies of agricultural production systems in the country to suggest suitable options for sustaining agricultural production in future and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  any  programmes  have  been  implemented  to  provide  farmers  with  the relevant information and advise them on farming practices that will help them account for changing climate and weather patterns; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) Yes,  Sir.    The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  of  the  Department  of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has initiated a National Programme called 'National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)' during  the  year  2011  to  enhance  the  resilience  of  Indian  agriculture  including  livestock  and fisheries  to  climatic  variability  and  climate  change  through  development  and  application  of improved production and risk management technologies.

- (b) Does not arise in view of (a) above.

(c) Yes, Sir.  Under National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), efforts  have  been  made  to  identify  /  develop  drought  /high  temperature/  flood  tolerant varieties suitable to vulnerable agro-ecologies. Similarly, resource conservation technologies have also been evaluated to cope with adverse weather conditions.

(d) & (e): Yes, Sir.  As part of the Technology Demonstration Component (TDC) of the  NICRA,  demonstration  of  location  specific  climate  resilient  technologies  has  been taken up to enable farmers to cope with the current climatic variability and to enhance their  adaptive  capacity.  The  demonstrations  are  taken  up  in  farmers'  fields  in  151 climatically vulnerable districts of the country by taking one representative village from each of the district.

During 2018-19, 663 demonstrations were conducted on in-situ moisture conservation and ex-situ water harvesting structures. During 2018-19 in 121 KVKs, 2332 training  programmes  were conducted benefitting 39104 farmers for  creating awareness on climate change and sustainable crop production under variable climate.

In  collaboration  with  Indian  Meteorological  Department  (IMD),  ICAR-Central Research  Institute  for  Dryland  Agriculture  is  involved  in  issuing  agromet  advisories twice in a week to give forewarning about the adverse weather conditions.

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