GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation
Source: DTE
Context: As climate change can reduce agricultural income by 15-25%, it is high time that climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) is valued and implemented more rigorously.
CRA:
- Resilience is the capacity of a system to dynamically respond to, recover from and even thrive in changing climate conditions while maintaining essential functions, identities and structures.
- Hence, CRA is an approach of sustainably using existing natural resources to achieve long-term higher productivity and farm incomes under climate variabilities.
Need:
- Extreme weather events → reducing farm produce, food price fluctuations → endangering food security and farm incomes.
- Hence, to address climate change and achieve SDGs, adaptation of appropriate mitigation technologies is required.
Outcomes of CRA:
- Improved access and utilisation of technology,
- Increased use of resources conservation technologies,
- An increased adaptation of crops and livestock to climatic stress,
- Reduces hunger and poverty (by sustaining agricultural production).
Strategies and technologies for climate change adaptation:
- Tolerant crops: For example, early maturing and drought-tolerant green gram (BM 2002-1) was introduced by farmers in Aurangabad (MH).
- Tolerant breeds in livestock and poultry: Indigenous breeds are resistant to droughts, ability to ingest and digest low-quality feed, and resistance to diseases.
- Feed management: An adaptation measure, which can indirectly improve the efficiency of livestock production.
- Water management/Water-smart technologies: Like micro-irrigation, cover-crop method, deficit irrigation, precision estimation of crop water needs, etc.
- Agro-advisory: Response farming (farming with advisories) is an integrative approach already been taken in states like Tamil Nadu.
- Soil organic carbon: Different farm management practices –
- Conservation agriculture technologies (reduced tillage, crop rotations, and cover crops),
- Soil conservation practices (contour farming) and
- Nutrient recharge strategies – can increase soil carbon stocks and stimulate soil functional stability.
Govt efforts:
| Government Efforts | Description |
| National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture | Implemented in 2010 to promote the judicious management of available resources. |
| Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) | Launched in 2015 to promote micro/drip irrigation for water conservation. |
| Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana | Executed to leverage climate-smart practices and technologies. |
| Green India Mission | Launched in 2014 to protect and restore forest covers, mitigating the effects of climate change. |
| Soil Health Card scheme | Launched to analyze soil samples and provide guidance to farmers regarding land fertility status. |
| Neem-Coated Urea | Introduced to minimize excess use of urea fertilizers and protect soil health. |
| National Project on Organic Farming and National Agroforestry Policy | Introduced to promote organic farming practices and agroforestry for income and ecosystem benefits. |
| Organic farming initiatives in Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim | States adopting and promoting organic farming practices. |
| ICAR climate-resilient villages | Establishment of climate-resilient villages in 151 districts, aiming to build carbon-positive villages. |
| Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) | Initiated in 2005 to provide employment opportunities, economic security, and environmental protection. |
Way ahead:
- Interventions focusing on improving crop productivity (watershed development, enhancing irrigation) + water management, soil health and livelihood diversification.
- There is a need to prioritise adaptive capacities alongside agricultural productivity.
- Reduction of GHG emissions from all agriculture and non-agricultural sources has to be prioritised.
- Structured training is essential to build confidence in stakeholders and sensitise them to understand climate change events.
- Fine-tuning the gap between current management practices and essential agro-advisories.
- Collaboration between farmers, research institutions, funding agencies, governments, NGOs and private sectors to promote CRA.
Insta Links:
Mains Links:
Elaborate on the impact of the National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas. (UPSC 2019)
