Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Climate-resilient agriculture means adopting farming methods, crops, and technologies that can withstand extreme weather (too much heat, less rainfall, floods, or pests) — while still giving good yields.
It focuses on:
- Conserving soil and water
- Reducing dependency on chemicals
- Growing crops that can survive stress
- Using organic or biological inputs
- Improving biodiversity and soil health
Major Problems Farmers Face from Climate Change
| Climate Change Issue | Impact on Farmers |
|---|---|
| Irregular Rainfall | Droughts or floods damage crops |
| Rising Temperature | Reduces soil moisture & yield |
| Pest Outbreaks | Warm climate increases insects & diseases |
| Poor Soil Health | Overuse of fertilizer reduces fertility |
| Groundwater Depletion | Over-irrigation and less rain lower water tables |
Smart Solutions for Climate-Resilient Farming
1. Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties
Use crop types that can survive stress:
- Drought-tolerant: Millets, Sorghum, Arhar, Cowpea
- Flood-tolerant: Swarna Sub1 (Paddy), Jalmagna (Rice)
- Heat-tolerant: Wheat varieties like HD-2967, HD-3086
- Salinity-tolerant: Rice varieties like CSR-30, Pokkali
- Short-duration crops: Less water, early harvest
2. Sustainable Soil & Water Management
- Adopt drip / sprinkler irrigation → saves 40–60% water
- Practice mulching → keeps soil cool and moist
- Contour farming & bunding → stops soil erosion on slopes
- Use organic compost & green manure → improve soil structure
- Reuse rainwater harvesting or farm ponds for irrigation
3. Eco-Friendly Inputs (Bio & Organic Farming)
Replace chemicals with natural alternatives:
| Input Type | Example | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Biofertilizers | Rhizobium, Azospirillum, PSB | Fix nitrogen naturally |
| Biopesticides | Neem oil, Trichoderma | Control pests safely |
| Compost / Vermicompost | Cow dung, organic waste | Improves soil fertility |
| Jeevamrut / Panchagavya | Organic mixtures | Boosts soil microbes |
➡️ Sustainable inputs reduce cost and make soil healthy long-term.
4. Agroforestry & Crop Diversification
- Grow trees + crops together — trees prevent soil erosion and give extra income (timber, fruits, fodder).
- Mix crops: cereals + pulses (e.g., maize + moong) improve soil and reduce risk.
- Grow vegetables / herbs / medicinal plants for extra profit.
5. Integrated Farming System (IFS)
Combine farming with other income sources:
- Crop + Dairy + Fish + Poultry + Biogas
- Reduces risk: if one fails, others give income.
- Reuses waste — cow dung → biogas → manure → field.
6. Solar & Renewable Energy Farming
- Solar pumps for irrigation (PM-KUSUM Scheme)
- Biogas plants to produce gas & organic manure
- Solar dryers for processing grains & fruits
7. Digital Tools for Climate Alerts
- Mobile apps (e.g. Kisan Suvidha, Fasal, Skymet Weather) give:
- Weather alerts (rain, temperature, wind)
- Disease / pest warnings
- Best sowing & irrigation times
Government Schemes Supporting Climate-Resilient Farming
| Scheme | Objective | Support |
|---|---|---|
| National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) | Promote soil & water conservation | Subsidy for drip irrigation, soil testing |
| Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) | “Har Khet Ko Pani” | Water saving systems |
| Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) | Encourage organic farming | ₹50,000 per hectare support |
| RKVY & FPO Schemes | Cluster-based organic & smart farming | Grants for equipment & training |
| PM-KUSUM | Promote solar irrigation pumps | 60–80% subsidy |
Real Examples
- Bihar (Nalanda District): Farmers using Swarna Sub1 rice survive heavy floods; crop yield stable even after 7 days of waterlogging.
- Maharashtra: Villages adopted drip irrigation + mulching + solar pumps — saved 50% water and doubled yield.
- Karnataka: Organic farmers using vermicompost + jeeva mrut improved soil fertility by 25% in 2 years.
Simple Plan for Your Village
- Start soil testing & adopt drought/flood-tolerant crops
- Begin drip irrigation on 1 acre (get subsidy)
- Use compost + biofertilizers instead of chemicals
- Mix crops or add fruit trees on borders
- Join / form an Organic FPO for collective marketing
- Apply for solar pump subsidy (PM-KUSUM)