The threat of climate change, which is looming over agriculture, particularly in India, demands immediate attention, warn experts.
A report underscores India’s high vulnerability to climate change, with the Indo-Gangetic belt, one of the world’s most fertile regions, expected to be severely impacted.
Currently, this belt produces around 15 percent of the world’s wheat; but by 2050, climate change and consequent global warming could reduce this output by up to 50 percent.
Given Ganga’s extensive reach from Bijnor to Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, which lies within the Indo-Gangetic belt, will inevitably face significant challenges.
As UP leads the nation in producing milk, food grains, vegetables, and various fruits, climate change threatens the state as well as the country’s food and nutritional security.
In this context, the Yogi Adityanath government’s proactive measures, with support from the Narendra Modi dispensation at the Centre, offer hope in the face of this crisis.
Experts suggest key strategies to mitigate the impact, including agricultural diversification, expanding crop coverage, developing climate-resilient species, achieving higher yields at lower costs, promoting natural farming, and ensuring fair product prices promptly.
These efforts could protect farmers and lead to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.
UP is endowed with favorable natural conditions, and the Yogi government has further strengthened this aspect by completing long-pending national projects like Bansagar, Arjun Sahayak Canal, and Saryu Canal.
In addition, over three dozen small and medium irrigation projects have been completed since 2017, irrigating over 2.32 million hectares of additional land. Today, 86 percent of UP’s agricultural land is irrigated.
This expansion of irrigation capacity, combined with the state’s nine distinct agro-climatic zones, has significantly increased crop coverage and agricultural diversification, thereby reducing the risks associated with monoculture.
The government continues to promote these practices, ensuring the sustainability of farming in UP. Ensuring farmers receive a fair price for their crops is also vital.
Under the Modi government, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops has been increased, and new crops have been included under MSP to support agricultural diversification and address climate change challenges.
Recently, union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh announced MSP procurement for tur, urad, and lentils, which will yield multi-dimensional benefits for farmers.
Promoting pulse cultivation and reducing imports will save valuable foreign currency. Notably, India is the world’s largest importer of pulses. As the most populous country, any increase in domestic demand tightens international markets, driving up import costs.
By boosting pulse production and availability, the poor will gain better access to essential protein.
Additionally, pulse crops naturally fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting subsequent crops. Short-duration pulses like urad and moong also allow for an additional crop between Rabi and Kharif, increasing crop coverage.
Initiatives like Kisan Samman Nidhi and Crop Insurance are empowering farmers, making them self-reliant while providing economic and social security.
The promotion of natural farming is another key element in addressing climate change challenges.
Notably, the central government has taken a significant step in rural development by introducing 109 new varieties of agricultural and horticultural crops.
These varieties, well-suited for different agro-climatic zones, offer high yields and resilience to diseases, pests, and climate variability, which is particularly beneficial for Uttar Pradesh’s diverse climate.