Lok Sabha Question No. 5264 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Climate Change induced Drought
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS' WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS' WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5264

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24 TH  MARCH,2026

## CLIMATE CHANGE INDUCED DROUGHT

5264. DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD:

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

- (a) whether the Government has observed that threat due to climate change is imminent and farmers are most vulnerable to it,
- (b) if so, the details of the steps taken to prevent the same;
- (c) whether the Government has any study report on the climate change induced drought affecting farmers of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof, and
- (d) the steps taken to ensure that today's agricultural produce is preserved for tomorrows generation?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (c): The Government is implementing various programmes to promote sustainable agriculture to address challenges related to climate change. Per Drop More Crop scheme is implemented to promote water use efficiency at the farm level through Micro Irrigation technologies i.e. drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Rainfed Area Development scheme is  implemented  to  promote  Integrated  Farming  System  for  enhancing  productivity  and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability. The Soil Health and Fertility scheme assists  states  in  promoting  Integrated  Nutrient  Management  through  judicious  use  of fertilizers. The Government is also promoting organic farming through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and natural farming through National Mission on Natural Farming scheme. 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses', National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds, and National  Food  Security  &  Nutrition  Mission  promotes  crop  diversification.    Mission  for Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture,  Agroforestry  &  National  Bamboo  Mission  also promote climate resilience in agriculture. Further, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana along with weather index based Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme provides a comprehensive insurance cover against failure of the crops, thereby helping compensate farmers for losses caused by natural calamities and climate-related risks. The Government through, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is implementing a project- National Innovations  in  Climate  Resilient Agriculture  (NICRA)  that studies  the  impact  of climate change on agriculture and conducts district level risk & vulnerability assessment due to climate  change  including  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu.  Out  of  310  districts  identified  as vulnerable, 201 districts have been categorized as   'high' in terms of climate vulnerability out  of  which  5  districts  namely  Dharmapuri,  Villupuram,  Coimbatore,  Perambalur, Ramanathapuram are in the State of Tamil Nadu. District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) for these 651 districts have also been prepared to address weather aberrations and recommending location specific climate resilient crops and varieties and management practices for use by the State Departments of Agriculture. Under NICRA, for enhancing the  resilience  and  adaptive  capacity  of  farmers  to  climate  variability,  location-specific 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 etc. have been demonstrated through KVKs in 448 model Climate Resilient Villages out of which 10 villages are in Tamil Nadu.

(d)  To  ensure  that  today's  agriculture  and  natural  resources  is  preserved  for  future generations, the Government has implemented several important initiatives focusing on sustainability, resource conservation, and  diversification such as Per Drop More Crop, Rainfed  Area  Development  Scheme,  Soil  Health  and  Fertility  Scheme,  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna, National Mission on Natural Farming, Mission for Aatmanirbhararta in Pulses, National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds and National Food Security & Nutrition Mission.

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