DEMONSTRATION OF CLIMATE RESILIENT TECHNOLOGIES ON FARMERS’ FIELDS

Abstract

The fourth assessment report of IPCC observed that warming of climate system is now unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increase in global air and ocean temperatures, wide spread melting of snow and ice, and rising global sea level (IPCC, 2007). Climate change impacts on agriculture are being witnessed all over the world, but countries like India are more vulnerable in view of large population depending on agriculture, excessive pressure on natural resources and poor coping mechanisms. Several models predict that rising temperatures, increased climatic variability and extreme weather events could significantly impact food production in coming years. Climate change projections up to 2100 for India indicate an overall increase in temperature by 2- 4 0 C with no substantial change in precipitation. However, different regions are expected to experience differential change in the amount of rainfall in the coming decades (Kavikumar, 2010). Besides, changed rainfall patterns, it is predicted that extreme events are likely to increase in the country resulting in more droughts and floods. Within agriculture, the rainfed agriculture which constitutes nearly 58% of the net cultivated area will be most impacted for two reasons. First, rainfed agriculture is practiced on fragile, degraded and sloppy lands which are thirsty as well as hungry and prone to erosion. Second, the people dependent on rainfed agriculture are also less endowed in terms of financial, physical, human and social capital limiting their capacity to adapt to the changing climate. Climate variability impacts food security at the household level particularly small and marginal farmers and wage labourers. For example heat wave during February-March in North India caused an estimated loss of 6 million tonnes of wheat in 2002-03. A sharp decline in production of rapeseed and in linseed was observed in Himachal Pradesh due to heat wave in March 2004. Pulse crops in large areas in Madhya Pradesh were damaged due to frost and cold in recent years (Venkateswarlu et al, 2011). Similarly, delayed onset of monsoon, mid season and terminal droughts, particularly in rainfed areas are causing huge losses to agriculture and livestock production affecting livelihood of the poor. Within the same season, the country is experiencing severe droughts and floods in the many regions posing serious problems to the farmers, agricultural scientists and extension staff. Fall in yield of staples and consequent shortage of food grains lead to price rise and inflation affecting the poor most. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to enhance the resilience of Indian Agriculture to climate change. Resilience is the ability of a system to absorb shocks and recover as quickly as possible to normal conditions when external environment improves.