Parliament Question: Climate Resilient Agriculture

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3814 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11TH AUGUST, 2026 CLIMATE RESILIENT AGRICULTURE

3814. SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

SHRI MITESHBHAI RAMESHBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी

be pleased to state:

(a) the key initiatives undertaken by the Ministry to promote climate-resilient and climate- smart agriculture during FY 2026-27, in the country especially in Bishnupur Lok Sabha Constituency or in the State of West Bengal;

(b) whether region-specific crop diversification strategies and climate-resilient seed varieties have been promoted, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the details of financial and technical support provided to farmers for adoption of climate- resilient practices? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR)

(a) to (c): The Government, through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is implementing a project, namely National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture

(NICRA), in the country including the State of West Bengal. Under the project, risk and vulnerability assessment to climate change has been carried out for 651 agricultural districts as per Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Out of the 310 districts identified as vulnerable to climate change, 201 have been categorized as 'High' climate-vulnerable and 109 as 'Very High' climate-vulnerable. Of the 201 districts in the 'High' category, 11 districts fall in the State of West Bengal. Of the 109 district in the ‘Very High' category, 3 districts fall in West Bengal. None of the districts falling under the Bishnupur Lok Sabha Constituency have been identified as climate-vulnerable under either the 'High' or 'Very High' category. District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) for these districts have been prepared to address weather aberrations and recommending location specific climate resilient crops and varieties and management practices. For enhancing the resilience and adaptive capacity of farmers to climate variability, location-specific climate resilient technologies have been demonstrated under the project through KVKs in 151 districts. Out of these 151 climatically vulnerable districts, 7 districts are in West Bengal namely, Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, Malda, Murshidabad, 24-Parganas (North), Purulia, and 24- Parganas (South) . Further, ICAR has released 2,900 crop varieties during the last 10 years (2014–2024). Out of these, 2,661 varieties are tolerant to one or more biotic and/or abiotic stresses.

In addition, to promote climate resilient and climate smart agriculture, Government is implementing number of central and centrally sponsored schemes since long. Per Drop More Crop scheme aims to increase water-use efficiency at the farm level through micro- irrigation technologies, i.e., drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Rainfed Area Development scheme promotes Integrated Farming System for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability. The Soil Health & Fertility scheme assists States inpromoting Integrated Nutrient Management through judicious use of fertilizers. Organic farming is promoted through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and natural farming through the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds, and National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) promote crop diversification. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Agroforestry and National Bamboo Mission (NBM) also promote climate resilience in agriculture. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) along with the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) provides comprehensive insurance cover against crop failure, thereby helping compensate farmers for losses caused by natural calamities and climate-related risks. Financial support under these schemes is

provided as per scheme guidelines.

As reported by the Government of West Bengal, to encourage farmers to adopt climate resilient agricultural practices, during 2026–27 in the Bishnupur Lok Sabha Constituency, demonstration of indigenous varieties of aromatic paddy has been undertaken. Organic-based farming is being promoted through Khet Bachao Abhijan along with awareness programmes on Soil Health and Fertility. Crop diversification is being promoted through cultivation of maize and arhar, while nutri-cereals (ragi) are being promoted in upland areas. Prakritik Krishi Karmashala is being implemented to promote natural farming practices. Financial assistance of ₹154.91 lakh has been provided for Aromatic Paddy Demonstration, ₹112.50 lakh for the Diversified Cropping Programme, ₹21.50 lakh for Prakritik Krishi Karmashala, ₹15.00 lakh for promotion of nutri-cereals (ragi), and ₹4.73 lakh for Khet Bachao Abhijan. Technical support is being provided through demonstrations, farmer awareness programmes and training to facilitate adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices.

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