National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture

Abstract

There is now adequate evidence about the impending climate change and consequences thereof. 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 mechanism. Several models predict that rising temperatures, increased climatic variability and extreme weather events could significantly impact food production in coming years. Climate change projections made up to 2100 for India indicate an overall increase in temperature by 2- 4°C with no substantial change in precipitation. However, different regions are expected to experience differential change in the amount of rainfall in the coming decade (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 and accounts for 40% of the country's food production and support 40% human and 60% livestock population 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. In fact, there has been a significant rise in the frequency of extreme weather events in recent years affecting the productivity and income at the farm level and also impacting the availability of staple food grains at the national level. For example heat wave during February- March in North India caused an estimated loss of 6 million tonnes of wheat in 2002-03. A decline in production of 60% in rapeseed and 50% in linseed was observed in Himachal Pradesh due to heat wave in March 2004. Pigeonpea crop in area of 7000 ha was damaged in Madhya Pradesh due to frost and cold (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. This is not only affecting the livelihood of farmers but causing a setback to agricultural and national economy as such. Within a span of one year, the country is experiencing severe droughts and floods in the same region posing serious problems to the farmers, agricultural scientists and extension staff. Fall in the yield of staples and consequent shortage of food grain 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. Both application of improved technologies and new policies will contribute to the resilience.