Lok Sabha Question No. 1154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Adverse Impact of Global Warming on Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai, Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1154

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2024

## ADVERSE IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING ON AGRICULTURE

1154. SHRI RAJEEV RAI: SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the adverse impact of global warming on agriculture in the country which has led to abnormal trends like irregular rainfall and decreasing forest cover;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any major steps towards mitigation of adverse impact of global warming and climate change with respect to farmers of northern plains in the country, especially in Uttar Pradesh, during the last five years;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government has assessed the impact of global warming on various agro climatic zones of the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR)

(a) & (b): Yes, global warming pose a challenge to sustainability of agriculture. The National  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change  (NAPCC)  was  launched  in  2008,  which provides an overarching policy framework for climate action in the country. The NAPCC outlines  a  national  strategy  to  enable  the  country  to  adapt  to  climate  change  and enhance the ecological sustainability of its development path. It includes eight National Missions,  one  of  which  is  the  National  Mission  for  Sustainable  Agriculture  (NMSA). NMSA aims to evolve and implement strategies to make Indian agriculture more resilient to  the  changing  climate.  The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has launched a flagship network project namely National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). pThrough this project, various climate change  mitigation activities have been under taken to reduce the impact of climate change in the country.

(c) & (d): Considering the impact of climate change, several schemes have been initiated by the Government of India to deal with the adverse climate situations in the agriculture  sector  across  the  country  including  Uttar  Pradesh.  The  Government  is implementing  National  Mission  for  Sustainable  Agriculture  (NMSA)  to  mitigate  the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable practices. 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 & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. In addition, the Government is promoting organic farming in the country since 2015-16 through the schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). Government is also promoting natural farming since 2019-2020 through a subscheme namely Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (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.

In  Uttar Pradesh, one village cluster from 17 districts viz., Baghpat, Bahraich, Banda,  Basti,  Chitrakoot,  Gonda,  Gorakhpur,  Hamirpur,  Jalaun,  Jhansi,  Kanpur (Dehat), Kaushambi, Kushi Nagar, Maharajganj, Pratapgarh, Sant Ravidas Nagar and Sonbhadra were selected for technology adoption through NICRA program. The climate resilient technologies such as system of rice intensification, aerobic rice, direct seeding of rice, zero till wheat sowing, cultivation of climate resilient varieties tolerant to extreme weather conditions  such  as  drought  and  heat;  in-situ  incorporation  of  rice  residues; micro irrigation systems; laser land levelling; improved shelter for livestock to minimize heat  stress;  integrated  farming  systems  including  poultry  have  been  developed  and demonstrated to the farmers in these districts. Capacity building programs to farmers on climate resilient agriculture in these districts were also undertaken.

(e): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Ministry of Agriculture and  Farmers  Welfare,  through  National  Innovations  in  Climate  Resilient  Agriculture (NICRA) has conducted studies on the impact of climate change on agriculture including crops, livestock, horticulture, fisheries etc. District-level risk and vulnerability assessment was conducted under NICRA in 651 predominantly  agricultural districts falling under different agroclimatic zones of the country as per Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) protocol. 109 districts has been categorized as very high and 201 districts as highly vulnerable. Impact assessment on global warming is also done in various  agro  climatic  zones  of  the  country  under  NICRA  project.  Integrated computer  simulation  modelling  studies  showed  that  in  the  absence  of  adoption  of adaptation  measures,  climate  change  is  likely  to  reduce  yield  of  rainfed  as  well  as irrigated rice, wheat and Kharif maize.

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