Lok Sabha Question No. 3581 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Development of Climate-resilient Paddy Varieties
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Gaurav Gogoi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3581

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## DEVELOPMENT OF CLIMATE-RESILIENT PADDY VARIETIES

3581.  SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  vulnerability  of  different  paddy-growing regions to climate change, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is conducting any research to develop climate-resilient paddy varieties which can withstand extreme weather conditions and pests;
- (c) the details of the specific strategies which are being implemented to help farmers adapt to climate change; and
- (d) whether the Government is considering any measures to support farmers financially to help them to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k jkT; ea=h (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

- (a): Yes,  the  Government  through  ICAR  flagship  network  project  'National  Innovation  on Climate  Resilient  Agriculture'  (NICRA)  assessed  the  vulnerability  of  different  paddy  growing regions  to  climate  change  by  conducting  integrated  simulation  modelling  studies.  The  study revealed that in the absence of adaptation measures, climate change is likely to reduce rainfed rice yields by 20% in 2050 and 47% in 2080. Irrigated rice yield may reduce by 3.5% in 2050 and 5% in 2080.
- (b): Since 2014 to 2024, a total of 668 varieties of rice (paddy) have been developed, out of which  199  varieties  are  extreme  climate  resilient,  which  can  withstand  extreme  weather conditions, the details of which are as follows: 103 rice varieties are drought and water stress tolerant;  50  rice  varieties  are  flood/  deep  water/  submergence  tolerant;  34  rice  varieties  are salinity/ alkalinity/ sodicity tolerant; 6 rice varieties are heat stress tolerant and 6 varieties are cold tolerant. Further, out of 668 varieties of rice developed, 579 varieties are tolerant to pests and diseases.
- (c): The  technology  demonstrations  and  capacity  building  programs  on  climate  resilient technologies were conducted under Technology Demonstration Component of NICRA in 448 climate  resilient  villages  of  151  vulnerable  districts.  Some  of  the  specific  climate  resilient technologies related to paddy are: demonstration of climate resilient varieties, alternate methods of rice cultivation such as aerobic rice, direct seeded rice and drum seeding, green manuring with Dhaincha before paddy transplanting, community nurseries for delayed monsoon etc. to minimize the impact of variable climatic situations.
- (d): To encounter the adverse impact of climate change in the country, the Government of India  implements  National  Mission  for  Sustainable  Agriculture  (NMSA),  which  is  one  of  the Missions within the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). The Government of India provides financial assistance to the states through the NMSA to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change.

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