Lok Sabha Question No. 1315 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Challenges faced by Farmers due to Climate Change
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1315

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD   DECEMBER, 2024

## CHALLENGES FACED BY FARMERS DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE 1315. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recognized the challenges faced by farmers in flood and drought prone regions due to unpredictable weather patterns and climate change; (b) if so, the specific policies and programs that the Government has implemented or plans  to  implement  to  support  these  farmers  in  adapting  to  climate  change  and minimizing crop losses; (c) whether the Government has conducted any assessments or studies to identify the most vulnerable regions and crops affected by climate variability; (d) the  expected  timeline  for  the  implementation  of  these  climate-resilient  farming initiatives, including any funding or resources allocated for their execution; (e) whether the Government has engaged with agricultural scientists, environmental experts  and  local  farming  communities  to  develop  practical  solutions  for  climate resilience; and the anticipated long-term benefits of these policies for farmers including improved crop productivity, sustainable farming practices and enhanced food security in the face

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a) to (f):   Yes, Indian agriculture is vulnerable to climate change and one or other part of the country is experiencing extreme weather eventsimpacting agriculture. Change in rainfall  distribution  is  influencing  agriculture  through  increased  frequency  of  extreme weather  events  viz.,  drought  and  flood.  The  Government  is  implementing  National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) to mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural  productivity  and  ensure  sustainable  practices.  The  NMSA  is  one  of  the

- (f) of climate change?

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.  Under  NMSA, Per  Drop  More  Crop  (PDMC)  scheme  was  launched during 2015-16 to increase water use efficiency at the farm level through Micro Irrigation technologies i.e. drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Rainfed Area Development (RAD) scheme is being implemented as a component under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture  (NMSA) from  2014-15  in  the  country.  RAD  focuses  on  Integrated  Farming System  (IFS)  for  enhancing  productivity  and  minimizing  risks  associated  with  climatic variability.  The  Soil  Health  Card  (SHC)  /  Soil  Health  Management  (SHM)  scheme  is operational through the State Governments under National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility. The main objective of the scheme is to assist states in promoting Integrated  Nutrient  Management  (INM)  through  judicious  use  of  chemical  fertilizers including  secondary  and  micro  nutrients  in  conjunction  with  organic  manures  &  biofertilizers  for  improving  soil  health  and  its  productivity.  Soil  Health  Card  provides information  to  farmers  on  soil  nutrient  status  of  their  soil  and  recommendation  on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility. In addition,  the  Government  is  promoting  organic  farming  in  the  country  since  2015-16 through the schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value  Chain  Development  for  North  Eastern  Region  (MOVCDNER).  PKVY  is  being implemented in all the States other-than North Eastern (NE) States across the country, whereas  MOVCDNER  scheme  is  being  implemented  exclusively  in  the  NE  States. Government is also promoting natural farming since 2019-2020 through a sub-scheme namely Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi VikasYojana (PKVY). The scheme aims to promote traditional indigenous practices and to  create  awareness  of  farmers.  Mission  for  Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture (MIDH), Agroforestry & National Bamboo Mission also aim to increase climate resilience in agriculture.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Ministry of Agriculture and  Farmers  Welfare,  Government  of  India  has  launched  a  flagship  network  project namely National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). ICAR  is implementing the project in coordination with Central/State Agriculture Universities. The project  aims  to  study  the  impact  of  climate  change  on  agriculture  including  crops, livestock,  horticulture  and  fisheries.  The  projectalso  develops  and  promotes  climate resilient technologies in agriculture and helps the districts and regions prone to extreme weather  conditions  like  droughts,  floods,  frost,  heat  waves,  etc.  to  cope  with  such extremes. The major achievements of ICAR are as follows:

 During last 10 years (2014-2024), a total of 2593 varieties have been released by ICAR, out of these 2177 varieties have been found tolerant to one or more biotic and/or abiotic stresses.

-  Risk and vulnerability assessment of agriculture to climate change is carried out at  district-level  for  651  predominantly  agricultural  districts  as  per  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) protocols. A total of 109 districts are categorized as 'very high' and 201 districts as 'highly' vulnerable.  District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) for these 651 districts have been prepared  for  weather  aberrations  like  drought,  floods,  unseasonal  rains  and  extreme weather  events  such  as  heat  wave,  cold  wave,  frost,  hailstorm,  cyclone  etc.  and recommending location specific climate  resilient  crops  and  varieties  and  management practices for use by the State departments of agriculture and farmers. Enhancing resilience and adaptive capacity of farmers to climate variability, the
-  Concept of 'Climate Resilient Villages' (CRVs) has been initiated under NICRA.
-  Capacity  building  programmes  are  being  conducted  to  educate  the  farmers  on various aspects of climate change for wider adoption of climate resilient technologies.The Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) Technology is implemented in 448 CRVs across 151 districts of 28 states/UTs.

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