Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Major Crops- Cropping patterns in various parts of the country

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs)
3. Weaker Southwest Monsoon
4. Climate-Resilient Agriculture Practices

Why in the News?

With the emergence of a weaker Southwest monsoon, FPOs are promoting drought-resistant crops and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

News in Brief

• The Union Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a list of 10,000 Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) that are cultivating drought-resistant crops and using climate-resilient farm practices.
• The Ministry is taking measures to counter the challenges of a weaker Monsoon.
• There are over 63 lakhs farmers in 10,000 FPOs as members, and the Government is planning to use their network to reach every farmer to adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Weaker Southwest Monsoon

• Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) has forecast below normal monsoon rainfall for 2026 due to El Nino conditions.
• The Southwest Monsoon rainfall over the Monsoon Core Zone (MCZ) contains most of the rainfed agricultural areas in the country and is most likely to receive below normal monsoon rainfall (<94% of LPA).
• This will reduce crop yields, affecting rural income and the lower agricultural output may increase food inflation.

Climate-Resilient Agricultural Practices

• Mulching for moisture conservation.
  • • • Practiced by covering the soil surface with crop residues or other organic materials (using straw and old gunny bags)
      • Evaporation losses is significantly reduced and suppresses weeds and improves soil health.
• Planting crops that require less water.
  • • • Sowing pulses and millets.
      • Pulses including moong, urad and kulthi (horse gram).
      • Millets include jowar, bajra and ragi.
• Drip irrigation and mixed cropping pattern.
• Indigenously and genetically modified wheat and rice strains.

Significance of Climate-Resilient Agricultural Practices

• The low cost measures helps to retain moisture in the soil for longer periods
• Enable crops to withstand dry spells more effectively.
• Shift from paddy to millet cultivation is significant  in the Monsoon Core Zone (MOZ), consisting rainfed agricultural areas.
• Promotion of drought-resistant crops can help farmers reduce production risks under uncertain rainfall conditions.
• Millets are naturally resilient, require less water, and perform well in marginal environments where other crops struggle to cope with harsh weather conditions.

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