Lok Sabha Question No. 251 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Dharambir Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 251

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2025

## IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

## *251. SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH :

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  recent  studies  on  the  impact  of climate  change  on  our  country's  agricultural  sector,  particularly  in terms  of  soil degradation, rainfall patterns and crop yield fluctuations;
- (b) if so, the key findings of these studies and their implications for food security;
- (c) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  climate-resilient  farming techniques and drought-resistant crops;
- (d) whether any financial assistance or subsidies are provided to farmers for adopting sustainable agricultural practices and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the role of State Governments in implementing climate adaptation strategies in the agricultural sector?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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(a): Yes, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has conducted simulation modelling  studies  to  assess  the  impact  of  climate  change  on  soil  degradation, rainfall pattern projection and crop yields.

(b): The study revealed that the kharif rainfall is projected to increase in the range of  4.9-10.1%  and  5.5-18.9%  by  2050  and  2080,  respectively. Rabi rainfall  is projected  to  increase  in  the  range  of  12-17%  and  13-26%  by  2050  and  2080, respectively. This increase in rainfall would result into soil loss of 10 tons/ha/yr from croplands by 2050. In the light of climate change, the salinity affected area is also projected to increase from 6.7 million ha to 11 million ha by 2030.

In the absence of adoption of adaptation measures, climate change is likely to reduce  rainfed  rice  yields  by  20%  in  2050  and  10-47%  in  2080,  respectively. Irrigated rice yields reduced by 3.5% in 2050 and 5% in 2080. Wheat yield will also likely to get reduced by 19.3% in 2050 and 40% in 2080. Kharif maize yields may get reduced by 10-19% in 2050 and >20% in 2080.

(c): The Government has undertaken various measures to tackle  the  projected adverse  effect  of  climate  change  on  agricultural  sector  and  developed  various climate-resilient agricultural technologies, suitable for extreme weather situations and vulnerable districts/regions viz. promotion of climate resilient varieties, resilient cropping  systems,  conservation  agriculture,  crop  diversification,  agroforestry systems, zero till drill sowing, alternate methods of rice cultivation, green manuring, integrated nutrient and pest management, organic farming, site specific nutrient management,  in-situ  moisture  conservation,  supplementary  irrigation,  micro irrigation,  sub  surface  drainage  and  soil  amendments  etc.  ICAR  has  also developed 76 prototype of integrated farming system models adapted to climate change impact across the ecologies of the country. ICAR also assessed risk and vulnerability  in  agriculture  as  per  Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate  Change (IPCC) protocol. A total of 109 districts have been categorized as very high and 201 districts as highly vulnerable. Adaptation efforts have been underway in 151 districts through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). District Agricultural Contingency Plans  (DACPs)  also  developed  for  651  districts  to  tackle  aberrant  weather situation.

Of  the  total  varieties  developed  since  2014,  2661  varieties  (cereals  1258; oilseeds 368; pulses 410; fibre crops 358; forage crops 157, sugarcane 88 and other crops 22) are tolerant to one or more biotic and/or abiotic stresses, amongst which 537 varieties have been developed specially for extreme climate events viz drought.

(d)  &  (e):  The  Government  is  taking  several  steps  to  promote  climate  resilient farming  techniques  and  drought  resistant  crops  in  the  country.  The  National Mission  for  Sustainable  Agriculture  (NMSA)  is  one  of  the  Missions  within  the National Action Plan on Climate Change. Under NMSA, the Per Drop More Crop scheme aims to improve on-farm water use efficiency and enhance the adoption of precision irrigation for which subsidy is provided. Rainfed Area Development scheme focuses on Integrated Farming  System  for  enhancing  productivity  and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability. The Soil Health Management and  Soil  Health  Card  scheme  assists  states  in  promoting  integrated  nutrient management for improving soil health and its productivity. For promoting organic farming in  the  country,  the  schemes  of  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region have been implemented since 2015-16. Sub Mission on Agroforestry and National Bamboo Mission also aim to increase climate resilience. Under these schemes, financial assistance in the form of subsidies is provided to beneficiaries through the state governments.

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