Introduction:

• The impact of climatic change and associated socio-economic vulnerability are now widely recognised and experienced across the globe.
• The Sixth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on “Global Warming at 1.5°C” distinctly propagates the need to strengthen and enhance existing coping capacity and to remain committed to the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

IPCC 6th Assessment Report: Highlights

• World has become 1°C warmer because of human activities
• It has caused greater frequency of extremes and obstruction to the normal functioning of ecosystems.
• If world had become 2°C warmer, a catastrophic situation would have created.

Impact of Climate Change and Global Warming on Agriculture Sector

According to the report,

• India, with its diverse agro-climatic settings, is one of the most vulnerable countries.
• Indigenous populations and local communities dependent on agricultural or coastal livelihoods are very vulnerable to the climate impacts.
• Its agriculture ecosystem, distinguished by high monsoon dependence, and with 85% small and marginal landholdings, is highly sensitive to weather abnormalities.

The Nation has already witnessed less than normal rainfall during the last four years, with 2014 and 2015 declared as drought years.

Even the recent monsoon season ended with a rainfall deficit of 9%, which was just short of drought conditions.

Research is also confirming an escalation in heat waves, in turn affecting crops, aquatic systems and livestock. (Lancet report warns about heat wave surge)

The Economic Survey 2017-18 has estimated farm income losses between 15% and 18% on average, which could rise to 20%-25% for unirrigated areas without any policy interventions.

These projections underline the need for strategic change in dealing with climate change in agriculture.

Steps needed:

Foster the process of climate adaptation in agriculture which involves reshaping responses across both the micro- and macro-level decision-making culture.

At the micro-level,

1. By providing effective climate assessments and promoting climate resilient technologies.
2. Climate exposure can be reduced through agronomic management practices such as inter and multiple cropping and crop-rotation; shift to non-farm activities; insurance covers; up-scaling techniques such as solar pumps, drip irrigation and sprinklers.
3. Very small segment of agricultural households utilised crop insurance due to a lack of sufficient awareness and knowledge. Hence there is an urgent need to educate farmers, reorient Krishi Vigyan Kendras and other grass-root organisations with specific and more funds about climate change and risk-coping measures.

At the macro-level,

1. Climate adaptation actions are to be mainstreamed in the current developmental framework and closely intertwined with rural developmental interventions.
2. Effective systematic adaptation planning and resource conservation practices.
3. Identification of several barriers that prevent up-scaling efforts and adaptation by farmers.

Key interventions

1. Expansion of extension facilities, improving irrigation efficiency, promotion of satellite-enabled agriculture risk management, creating micro-level agro-advisories, providing customised real time data, and capacity building of stakeholders are some initiatives towards building greater resilience in agriculture.
2. Interventions such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Heath Card, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Agriculture Market, or e-NAM, and other rural development programmes are positive interventions that can address the vulnerability of farmers and rural households.
3. Climate and adaptation schemes such as the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), the National Adaptation Fund, and the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC).