Climate Resilient Agriculture, Objectives, Impact, Climate Risks, NICRA

Climate Resilient Agriculture refers to farming practices that help farmers deal with changing climate conditions like irregular rainfall, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events. It focuses on protecting crops, soil, and water resources so that agriculture can continue to produce enough food even in difficult conditions. 

Objectives of Climate Resilient Agriculture

The objectives of Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) focus on making farming systems more adaptive, sustainable, and risk-resistant in the face of climate change. They aim to ensure food security, stable farmer incomes, and efficient resource use. The key objectives are discussed below.

• Strengthening farming against climate change: CRA aims to make agriculture more resilient to climate change impacts like droughts, floods, heatwaves, and erratic rainfall. It helps farming systems adjust and continue functioning under changing environmental conditions.
• Ensuring food security: One key objective is to maintain a stable food supply at local and national levels. It reduces the risk of food shortages caused by climate-related crop failures and production losses.
• Stabilizing farmers’ income: Climate Resilient Agriculture focuses on protecting farmers from income loss due to unpredictable weather. It promotes diversified farming systems to reduce dependency on a single crop and improve income stability.
• Improving productivity and yield stability: It helps maintain or improve crop yields even under climate stress. This is achieved through better seeds, improved farming practices, and scientific agricultural methods.
• Building adaptive capacity: CRA enhances farmers’ ability to respond to climate risks using location-specific technologies and climate information. It supports timely and informed decision-making at the farm level.
• Conserving natural resources: It promotes efficient use of water, soil, and land through practices like micro-irrigation and soil conservation. This helps maintain long-term soil fertility and water availability.
• Reducing environmental impact: Climate Resilient Agriculture encourages reduced use of chemical inputs and promotes sustainable practices. It also helps lower greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities.
• Enhancing long-term sustainability: It supports farming systems that are environmentally sound and economically viable. The focus is on ensuring agriculture remains productive for future generations as well.

Importance of Climate Resilient Agriculture in India

The importance of Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) in India lies in addressing the growing challenges of climate variability, monsoon dependence, and agricultural risks. It helps ensure food security, protect farmer livelihoods, and promote sustainable agriculture. The key aspects are discussed below.

• High dependence on rainfed agriculture: Nearly half of India’s cultivated land (around 51%) is rainfed, and it produces a large share of food supply. Since it depends heavily on monsoon rains, it becomes very vulnerable to irregular rainfall and climate variability, making Climate Resilient Agriculture essential.
• Protection against severe crop losses: Climate change can cause major drops in crop yields if no adaptation is taken. Studies suggest that crops like rainfed rice and wheat may face sharp yield reductions in the future, which can threaten national food security. CRA helps reduce these risks.
• Support for rural economy and livelihoods: Agriculture is a major source of employment in India and supports a large part of the population. Since it contributes significantly to the economy, CRA is important for protecting farm incomes and rural livelihoods from climate-related shocks like floods and droughts.
• Reducing risk from extreme weather events: India frequently faces droughts, heatwaves, floods, and unseasonal rains, which directly affect farmers. CRA helps farming systems become more stable and better prepared to handle these extreme conditions.
• Protecting natural resources: Traditional farming practices often lead to soil degradation and groundwater depletion. CRA promotes sustainable use of resources through soil conservation, efficient water use, and practices that help restore environmental balance.
• Ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability: Climate Resilient Agriculture is important because it not only focuses on current production but also ensures that agriculture remains productive, sustainable, and environmentally balanced for future generations.

‹ ›

Impact of Climate Change on Indian Agriculture

The impact of climate change on Indian agriculture is seen in increasing weather uncertainties, declining crop productivity, and rising farming risks. It affects both food security and farmer livelihoods, making agriculture more vulnerable. The key impacts are discussed below. 

• Reduced crop yields due to weather stress: Rising temperatures, heatwaves, and irregular rainfall disturb crop growth, flowering, and pollination. This results in lower productivity of major crops like rice, wheat, and maize, making farming more uncertain and risky for farmers.
• Evidence from ICAR-NICRA studies: Research under the NICRA project of ICAR shows that without adaptation measures, crop yields may decline in the future. For the period 2020-2039, irrigated rice may fall by about 3%, while rainfed rice may decline by 7-28%. Wheat may reduce by 3.2-5.3%, and maize by 9-10%.
• Long-term projected yield losses: Advanced crop simulation models used for future scenarios (2050 and 2080) show even sharper declines. For example, rainfed rice may reduce by 20% (2050) and 47% (2080), while wheat may fall by 19.3% and 40% respectively. Maize is also expected to face significant losses over time.
• Changes in crop nutrition and quality: Climate change not only reduces yield but also affects food quality. Higher carbon dioxide levels can reduce important nutrients like protein, iron, and zinc in crops such as rice and wheat, which can impact overall nutrition security.
• Increasing water scarcity: Indian agriculture depends heavily on monsoon rainfall. However, changing rainfall patterns, delayed monsoons, and groundwater depletion are increasing water stress, especially in highly agricultural regions, making irrigation more difficult and expensive.
• More frequent extreme weather events: India is experiencing more droughts, floods, heatwaves and unseasonal rains, which destroy standing crops and disrupt the entire farming cycle. These shocks often push small and marginal farmers into debt and financial distress.
• Rise in pests and diseases: Warmer and more humid conditions create a favourable environment for pests and crop diseases. Outbreaks such as locust attacks and armyworms are becoming more common, increasing farmers’ dependence on pesticides and raising production costs.
• Socio-economic impact on farmers: Extreme climate events affect not only agriculture but also rural livelihoods. They reduce food and nutrition intake, increase poverty levels, indebtedness and migration, and weaken farmers’ ability to recover from future climate shocks.

Major Climate Risks Faced by Agriculture

The major climate risks faced by agriculture arise from increasing climate variability, extreme weather events, and resource stress. These risks threaten agriculture productivity, water availability, and farmer incomes, making agriculture highly vulnerable. The key risks are discussed below. 

• Erratic and Unpredictable Monsoons: Indian agriculture depends heavily on monsoon rainfall, but changing climate patterns have made it irregular and unreliable. Delayed onset, early withdrawal, and uneven distribution directly affect sowing, crop growth, and yields.
• Heavy Dependence on Rainfall: Nearly half of the cultivated land relies on rain-fed agriculture. Weak or inconsistent rainfall reduces crop production and increases farmers’ climate vulnerability.
• Rising Temperatures and Heat Stress: Increasing temperatures and frequent heatwaves create heat stress during flowering and grain formation. This leads to reduced productivity and yield losses.
• Frequent Droughts and Water Scarcity: Repeated droughts and declining rainfall cause water scarcity. This makes irrigation difficult and increases pressure on water resources.
• Groundwater Depletion: Excessive use of groundwater for irrigation has led to falling water tables. This reduces long-term water availability and raises farming costs.
• Floods and Unseasonal Rainfall: Heavy rains, floods, and unseasonal weather events damage crops and cause soil erosion. These lead to economic losses for farmers.
• Regional Climate Imbalance: Different regions face different risks – flood-prone areas (eastern/northeastern India) and drought-prone regions (central/western India). This creates uneven agricultural challenges.
• Extreme Weather Events: Events like cyclones, hailstorms, and cold waves are increasing. These sudden events can cause crop destruction and disrupt the farming cycle.
• Soil Degradation and Declining Fertility: Continuous use of chemical fertilizers and monocropping has reduced soil fertility. Poor soil has lower water and nutrient retention capacity.
• Increase in Pests and Diseases: Warmer and humid conditions promote pest and disease spread. This increases crop damage and input costs due to higher pesticide use.
• Impact on Farmers’ Livelihoods: These risks lead to income instability, debt, and poverty. Many farmers are forced into migration, especially small and marginal farmers.
• High Climate Vulnerability Across Regions: Many districts face high climate risk due to low irrigation access, frequent disasters, and small landholdings, making agriculture highly climate-sensitive.

National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is running a major project called National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). This programme focuses on understanding how climate change affects agriculture and finding practical solutions for farmers.
• NICRA studies the impact of changing weather patterns on different sectors of agriculture, including crops, livestock, horticulture, and fisheries. It also works on developing and promoting climate-resilient technologies to help farmers cope with challenges like droughts, floods, frost, and heat waves.
• Research under NICRA shows that if no adaptation steps are taken, climate change can reduce the yield of major crops such as rice, wheat, and Kharif maize, both in rainfed and irrigated farming systems.
• As part of risk assessment, ICAR has evaluated the vulnerability of 651 agricultural districts in India using global IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) methods. Out of these, 310 districts are highly vulnerable, including 109 very highly vulnerable and 201 highly vulnerable districts.
• To manage these risks, District Agriculture Contingency Plans have been prepared for all 651 districts. These plans guide farmers on what crops to grow, which varieties to use, and what farming practices to adopt during abnormal weather conditions.
• To strengthen farmers’ ability to adapt, NICRA has introduced the idea of “Climate Resilient Villages (CRVs)”. In these villages, modern and climate-friendly farming practices are demonstrated and promoted for adoption.
• So far, climate-resilient technologies have been implemented in 448 Climate Resilient Villages across 151 vulnerable districts in 28 states and union territories, helping farmers directly experience and learn better practices.
• The programme also focuses heavily on training and awareness building, where farmers are educated about climate change, weather risks, and improved farming techniques so they can make informed decisions.
• Under the broader National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), several government schemes have been launched to support farmers in dealing with climate-related challenges and improving long-term sustainability.
• In the last 10 years (2014-2024), the national agricultural research system under ICAR has developed and released around 2900 crop varieties, out of which most are resistant to pests, diseases, drought, heat, and other climate stresses.
• Many climate-smart farming techniques have also been developed and promoted, such as System of Rice Intensification (SRI), aerobic rice cultivation, direct seeding of rice, zero tillage wheat farming, and better use of crop residues in the soil to improve soil health and reduce environmental damage.

Government Initiatives for Climate Resilient Agriculture

The government initiatives for Climate Resilient Agriculture aim to strengthen farming systems through policy support, technological interventions, and financial protection. These initiatives focus on improving adaptation capacity, resource efficiency, and farmer resilience. The key initiatives are discussed below.

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is leading several initiatives to make agriculture more climate-resilient and sustainable. A key project is National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), which studies climate impacts and develops practical solutions for farmers.
• Development of resilient crop varieties: ICAR has released around 2,900 crop varieties, out of which about 2,661 are stress-tolerant (resistant to drought, heat, floods, pests, etc.), helping farmers cope with changing climate conditions.
• Identification of vulnerable districts: Climate vulnerability has been assessed in 651 districts, with 310 identified as highly vulnerable. Based on this, District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) have been prepared for better local planning.
• Technology demonstration and village-level support: Climate-resilient practices like direct seeding of rice, drought-tolerant crops, and improved farming methods are demonstrated in 151 districts and hundreds of villages to encourage adoption.
• Seed security and planting support: Through the Sub Mission on Seeds and Planting Materials (SMSP), the government ensures availability of quality seeds. Programs like the Seed Village Programme help farmers access and produce seeds locally.
• Water management and irrigation efficiency: Schemes like Per Drop More Crop promote micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler systems) to save water and improve efficiency at the farm level.
• Promotion of integrated farming systems: Under Rainfed Area Development (RAD), farmers are encouraged to adopt Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) combining crops, livestock, and horticulture to reduce risks and increase income.
• Improving soil health: The Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme provides farmers with information on soil nutrients and guides them on proper fertilizer use, helping maintain long-term soil fertility.
• Encouraging organic and natural farming: Schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) support organic farming, providing financial assistance and end-to-end support from production to marketing.
• Crop diversification and allied sectors: Programs promoting pulses, oilseeds, horticulture, agroforestry, and bamboo help reduce dependence on a single crop and increase resilience to climate risks.
• Capacity building and awareness: Training programs and initiatives like KVKs and ATMA help farmers learn about climate-smart practices, new technologies, and risk management.
• Financial protection through insurance: Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme provide financial support to farmers in case of crop loss due to natural disasters.
• Use of modern technology and advisories: Tools like agro-meteorological advisories and precision agriculture technologies help farmers make better decisions based on weather forecasts.

Climate Resilient Villages (CRVs) Concept

• Climate Resilient Villages are model villages developed under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to help farmers deal with climate change and extreme weather conditions.
• Purpose of CRVs: The main aim is to make villages strong and prepared for problems like droughts, floods, heatwaves, and irregular rainfall.
• Location-specific solutions: Each village gets custom solutions based on its local climate and problems, so farmers can manage risks better.
• Use of climate-resilient technologies: Farmers are encouraged to adopt practices like drought-tolerant crops, direct seeding, water-saving techniques, and better soil management.
• Demonstration and learning: These villages act as learning centers, where farmers can see new technologies working in real fields and adopt them easily.
• Coverage and implementation: CRVs have been developed in hundreds of villages across many states, especially in areas that are highly vulnerable to climate change.
• Improving income and food security: By using better practices and diversifying activities, CRVs help farmers increase income and ensure stable food supply.
• Community-based approach: The whole village participates, making it a collective effort rather than individual farming changes.
• Capacity building and awareness: Farmers are trained and guided about climate risks, new technologies, and better farming methods.

Challenges in Implementing Climate Resilient Agriculture

The challenges in implementing Climate Resilient Agriculture arise from financial constraints, lack of awareness, technological barriers, and institutional gaps. These issues limit the adoption of climate-smart practices and reduce farmer adaptability and resilience. The key challenges are discussed below. 

• High Initial Investment Costs: Adopting Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) often requires expensive technologies like greenhouses, drip irrigation, precision farming tools, and renewable energy systems. For most farmers, especially in developing regions, arranging such large upfront investment becomes very difficult.
• Small Landholdings and Limited Credit Access: In countries like India, a large number of farmers are small and marginal farmers with very limited land. Due to lack of proper collateral and financial security, they struggle to get loans, which restricts their ability to adopt modern farming practices.
• Fear of Risk and Delayed Benefits: Many Climate Resilient Agriculture practices like crop rotation, soil improvement, and organic methods take time to show results. This delay creates fear of failure among farmers, as they depend on immediate income for survival.
• Lack of Technical Knowledge and Training: Climate Resilient Agriculture is knowledge-intensive and requires understanding of climate patterns, soil health, water management, and new technologies. However, many farmers lack proper training and guidance, making it difficult to use these methods effectively.
• Weak Agricultural Extension Services: There is often a shortage of field-level support and extension workers to guide farmers. As a result, farmers do not receive timely weather advisories, technical help, or best farming practices.
• Digital Divide in Rural Areas: Although digital tools and AI-based agriculture technologies are growing, many farmers lack digital literacy. This limits their ability to use mobile apps, weather data, and smart farming systems.
• Limited Availability of Climate-Resilient Seeds: Institutions like Indian Council of Agricultural Research have developed many climate-tolerant crop varieties, but their distribution at the ground level is slow and uneven. As a result, many farmers still do not have access to these improved seeds.
• Water Scarcity and Poor Resource Conditions: Many regions face groundwater depletion, droughts, and degraded land. Without proper water and soil management, it becomes difficult to successfully implement Climate Resilient Agriculture practices.
• Energy Issues and Rising Costs: Modern agriculture systems depend on electricity for irrigation, storage, and automation. In areas with unreliable power supply or high energy costs, maintaining these systems becomes expensive and risky.
• Complex Water Management Systems: While Climate Resilient Agriculture aims to save water, efficient irrigation systems require proper design and monitoring. Poor management can lead to problems like soil salinity, nutrient imbalance, and crop stress.
• Dependence on Data and Technology Reliability: Climate Resilient Agriculture relies on data from sensors, climate models, and software systems. Any technical failure or incorrect data interpretation can disrupt farming operations and reduce productivity.
• Market Access and Profitability Issues: Even if farmers produce better quality crops using CRA, they often face problems with market access, storage, transport, and fair pricing. Without proper supply chains, farmers may not get the expected economic benefits.

Measures for Strengthening Climate Resilience in Agriculture

The measures for strengthening climate resilience in agriculture focus on enhancing adaptive capacity, sustainable resource management, and risk reduction strategies. under changing climate conditions. The key measures are discussed below. 

• Promoting climate-resilient crops and diversification: Focus on developing and spreading climate-tolerant crop varieties using modern tools like genome editing, along with scaling proven varieties by Indian Council of Agricultural Research. At the same time, encourage traditional crops like millets to improve both resilience and nutritional security.
• Improving soil health and regulating inputs: Adopt regenerative farming practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and minimum tillage to restore soil fertility. Also ensure strict quality control of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides to build farmer confidence.
• Efficient water and resource management: Promote water-saving techniques like drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). Proper management of water, soil, and energy resources is essential for sustainable agriculture.
• Strengthening financial support and risk coverage: Expand schemes like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to cover extreme weather risks. Provide easy credit, subsidies, and incentives to help farmers adopt climate-resilient practices without financial burden.
• Better policy coordination and planning: Align programs like NICRA and National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) into a coordinated framework. Ensure effective use of District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) in vulnerable regions.
• Enhancing technology use and institutional support: Combine digital tools (weather advisories, AI-based guidance) with strong ground support from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to improve adoption.
• Capacity building and community participation: Strengthen farmer training and awareness programs and promote models like Climate Resilient Villages (CRVs) for collective learning and adaptation.
• Improving market access and income security: Develop better storage, transport, and market linkages so that farmers get fair prices and stable incomes from climate-resilient farming.