Annual Report 2010-11

Abstract

Rainfed agriculture, practiced in 60% of the cultivated area in India, is critically dependent on climate. Climate variability, including extreme weather events, resulting from global climate change, poses serious threat to rainfed agriculture. Alert to this impending threat, CRIDA initiated network research on climate change effects on agriculture during the X five year plan. In recognition of its leadership in the area of rainfed agriculture and climate change, CRIDA has been bestowed with the responsibility of leading a mega project, the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) by ICAR. This project aims to develop and demonstrate technologies that enhance the resilience of rainfed agriculture to climate variability. While we take pride in being chosen for this important assignment, we are aware of the tremendous responsibility it entails, and are bracing ourselves to live up to the Nation’s expectations. We have been placing increasing emphasis on climate change and climate variability research over the past few years and our annual reports reflect this emphasis. With the launch of NICRA, we are set for a major shift in our research focus and much of our future work will be oriented towards addressing the challenges of climate change and climate variability. In this annual report, we have added a separate chapter on NICRA to do justice to the magnitude of the initiative and the large number of activities envisaged. While being justifiably concerned about the future of rainfed agriculture in the country, we are firmly rooted in the present, and endeavour to provide technological solutions to the current problems of rainfed farming. This annual report documents the activities and achievements of CRIDA, AICRPDA and AICRPAM for the year 2010-11