Lok Sabha Question No. 964 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-13
Subject: National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Adala Prabhakara Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 964

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  DECEMBER, 2022

## NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

## 964. SHRI ADALA PRABHAKARA REDDY :

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  or  plans  to  undertake  comprehensive studies to predict the impact of climate change on land degradation;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore;
- (c) the details of the targets set and achievements made so far in regard to the National Mission  for  Sustainable  Agriculture  (NMSA)  under  the  National  Action  Plan  on  Climate Change (NAPCC), State-wise; and
- (d) the  details  of  efforts  taken  as  part  NMSA's  towards  the  fulfillment  of  National  and International commitments on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b): Government has undertaken several studies on the impact of climate change on land degradation. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has launched a flagship project namely National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) to study and conduct  basic  and  strategic  research  besides  demonstrating  resilient  technologies  to combat climate change in agriculture. Under NICRA integrated simulation modelling studies have been undertaken to predict the impact of climate change on land degradation.

The Government of India has launched several schemes/ programmes which include interalia  the  National  Afforestation  Program,  Green  India  Mission,  Watershed  Development Component  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojna  (PMKSY)  which  contribute  to restoration  of  land  which,  in  turn,  helps  in  livelihood  security.  Afforestation  and  tree plantation activities in the country are  undertaken as a cross sectoral and  multi- departmental activity under various schemes of different ministries. National Mission for a Green India is one of the ongoing eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate  Change.  It  aims  at  protecting,  restoring  and  enhancing  India's  forest  cover  and responding  to  Climate  Change  by  means  of  plantation  activities  in  forest  and  non-forest areas. As one of the measures to increase and improve forest area in the country, National Afforestation  and  Eco-development  Board  (NAEB)  is  implementing  National  Afforestation Programme  (NAP)  for  ecological  restoration  of  degraded  forests  and  adjoining  areas through people's participation.

(c): National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is one of the Missions within the National  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change  (NAPCC)  which  aims  to  evolve  and  implement strategies to make Indian agriculture more resilient to the changing climate and to sustain increase in production. Agriculture is a State subject. Accordingly, the Central Government supports  the  States  in  taking  steps  on  promoting  sustainable  agriculture  as  envisages  in NMSA.

(d): The  Government,  under  National  Mission  on  Sustainable  Agriculture  (NMSA)  has taken  several  initiatives  that  complies  with  SDG  13  on  climate  action.  The  promotion  of Natural  Farming  and  Organic  Farming  through  the  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana (PKVY)  has  been  done  by  combining  traditional  and  modern  knowledge  and  has  the potential  to  contribute  towards  climate  change  adaptation,  disaster  risk  reduction  and biodiversity related to SDG-1, SDG-2 and SDG-12, related to no poverty, zero hunger and responsible consumption and production goals respectively. The Soil Health Management (SHM) intervention focuses on limiting the use of chemical fertilizers through the use of soil health  cards  (a  sub  scheme  under  SHM),  while  also  promoting  the  use  of  bio-fertilizers, manures and organic fertilizers to enhance and restore soil health, thereby contributing to improved  soil  health.  Such  schemes  focus  on  protection,  restoration  and  promotion  of sustainable  use  of  terrestrial  resources  like  land,  halt  and  reverse  land  degradation  with improved life on land as given in SDG-15. Further, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)  under  National  Innovations  in  Climate  Resilient  Agriculture  (NICRA)  project  is working to enhance resilience of the agriculture sector to climate vulnerabilities and risks through  strategic  research  and  technology  demonstrations  which  addresses  the  SDG-13 goals for climate action.

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