Expanding Climate-Resilient Agriculture: 2,661 Crop Varieties, Smart Irrigation, and Organic Farming Promotion

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is promoting climate-resilient agricultural innovations through a flagship project called the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), implemented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Under this initiative, the impact of climate change on crops, livestock, horticulture, and fisheries is being studied, along with the development and dissemination of climate-sensitive technologies.
So far, ICAR has released a total of 2,900 crop varieties, out of which 2,661 have shown tolerance to one or more biotic or abiotic stresses.

Promoting Quality Seed Production:

The Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP), the government is ensuring the availability of quality seeds to farmers by promoting seed production and distribution. For the year 2024-25, an allocation of ₹270.90 crore was made under SMSP's seed scheme, out of which ₹206.86 crore has already been released to States/UTs. Of this, ₹141.46 crore has been allocated under the Seed Village Programme.

Strategies for Climate-Resilient Agriculture:

Tthe National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), several climate-resilient strategies are being implemented through targeted schemes:

• Per Drop More Crop: Focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at the farm level through micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems.
• Rainfed Area Development (RAD): Promotes integrated farming systems to reduce climate-related risks in rainfed areas.
• Soil Health Card / Soil Health Management: Provides farmers with detailed information on soil nutrients, encouraging the balanced use of fertilizers to improve soil fertility.

Additionally, programs like the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Agroforestry, and the National Bamboo Mission are also promoting climate-resilient agriculture.

Boosting Organic Farming:

The government is encouraging organic farming through two major initiatives:

1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Implemented in all states except the northeastern region, this scheme offers end-to-end support from production to processing, certification, and marketing.
2. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): Dedicated to the northeastern states, this mission offers comprehensive support for organic agriculture.

Financial Support Highlights:

• PKVY: Provides assistance of ₹31,500 per hectare over three years, including ₹15,000 directly to farmers via DBT for organic inputs.

MOVCDNER: Offers ₹46,500 per hectare over three years, with ₹32,500 for organic inputs and ₹15,000 to farmers through DBT.