What Happened
- A policy analysis argues that climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) must be prioritised for India's small and marginal farmers, who are most vulnerable to climate shocks yet least equipped to adapt.
- The article calls for partnerships between government agencies, research institutions, private sector, and civil society to finance and deliver CRA practices at scale.
- Key interventions identified include drought-tolerant and early-maturing crop varieties, micro-irrigation, watershed management, and climate advisory services.
- With 60% of Indian farmland rainfed and small and marginal farmers constituting 86% of India's farming population, climate variability poses a systemic threat to rural livelihoods and national food security.
- Existing schemes such as PMKSY (water efficiency), MGNREGS (watershed and soil conservation), and ICAR's climate-resilient variety releases are cited as building blocks that need stronger convergence and funding.
Static Topic Bridges
Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) — Concepts and Practice
Climate-resilient agriculture refers to farming systems and practices that reduce vulnerability to climate variability and extreme events, maintain or enhance productivity, and contribute to carbon sequestration or emission reduction. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) frames it as "Climate-Smart Agriculture" (CSA) — simultaneously pursuing productivity, adaptation, and mitigation.
- Three pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture: (1) sustainably increasing productivity and incomes; (2) adapting to climate change; (3) reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions where possible
- Key CRA practices: drought-tolerant and flood-resistant crop varieties, micro-irrigation (drip/sprinkler), System of Rice Intensification (SRI), zero-tillage, integrated pest management, agroforestry, soil health management
- India's rainfed agriculture: ~60% of cultivated area; yields 40% of food output but is highly dependent on monsoon
- Small and marginal farmers: Own less than 2 hectares; constitute 86% of India's total farm holdings; have limited access to credit, insurance, and technology
- ICAR released 109 climate-resilient crop varieties in August 2024, including drought-tolerant green gram (BM 2002-1) and pigeonpea (BDN-708) varieties showing 20–25% higher yields
Connection to this news: The article's central argument — that marginal farmers face the greatest climate risk with the least adaptive capacity — reflects a well-documented gap in India's agricultural policy: CRA benefits have largely accrued to large, irrigated farmers while rainfed smallholders remain exposed.
Government Schemes for Climate-Resilient Agriculture
India has multiple schemes that address components of CRA, though convergence and last-mile delivery remain challenges.
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), launched 2015: Umbrella scheme for water-use efficiency — "Har Khet Ko Pani" (irrigation to every field) and "More Crop Per Drop" (micro-irrigation promotion); covers drip and sprinkler irrigation subsidies
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Part of India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC, 2008); focuses on soil health, water use efficiency, and climate-resilient practices
- MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005): Watershed development, farm ponds, check dams, and water harvesting structures built through MGNREGS help recharge groundwater and reduce drought vulnerability
- Soil Health Card Scheme: Provides site-specific nutrient management recommendations; helps optimise fertiliser use under variable weather
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Promotes organic farming, which improves soil carbon and water retention
- PM-KUSUM: Solar pumps for irrigation, reducing dependence on diesel and grid power during erratic supply
Connection to this news: The article advocates for stronger cross-scheme convergence so that water security (PMKSY), employment/watershed (MGNREGS), and varietal improvement (ICAR) programmes work in tandem for the most vulnerable farming households.
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and Agriculture Mission
The NAPCC (launched 2008) is India's overarching framework for climate adaptation and mitigation. It includes eight National Missions, of which two are directly relevant to agriculture:
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Focuses on dryland agriculture, integrated farming, water management, and climate-resilient seed varieties
- National Mission for Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change: Supports research on climate impacts on agriculture and develops knowledge infrastructure
- State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs): Every state is expected to prepare a SAPCC translating national priorities to local contexts, including agricultural adaptation
- India's Updated NDC (2022): Target to achieve ~45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030; agriculture adaptation is a key co-benefit
Connection to this news: The NAPCC framework provides the policy architecture; the article's argument is that implementation gaps — particularly for marginal farmers — remain the critical bottleneck.
Key Facts & Data
- Share of small and marginal farmers in India's total farm holdings: 86%
- Share of India's farmland that is rainfed: ~60%
- ICAR climate-resilient crop varieties released in August 2024: 109 varieties
- Drought-tolerant green gram variety yield advantage: 20–25% higher than indigenous cultivars
- PMKSY launched: 2015 (focuses on "Per Drop More Crop" and irrigation coverage)
- MGNREGS enacted: 2005 (rural employment guarantee with watershed and water conservation components)
- NAPCC launched: 2008 (8 national missions including NMSA)
- India's Updated NDC target (2022): ~45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030
- LPG connections under PMUY (as of November 2024): 10.33 crore beneficiaries
- Holdings classified as "small and marginal": Own less than 2 hectares of land