A national symposium on "Harnessing Plantation Sector for Sustainable Development Goals" was recently organized by ICAR-CPCRI in Kasaragod, Kerala. On this occasion, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICAR and Secretary of DARE (Department of Agricultural Research and Education), highlighted ICAR’s special initiatives to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Indian agriculture.
Dr. Pathak announced that all future crop varieties and seeds released by ICAR would possess at least one climate-resilient trait. These traits will help farmers combat challenges such as rising temperatures, droughts, floods, and the emergence of new pests and diseases. He also emphasized that ICAR and other leading institutions have developed crop varieties capable of withstanding the challenges posed by climate change.
Dr. Pathak pointed out the remarkable progress made in developing climate-resilient crop varieties. Currently, over 70% of wheat cultivated in India comes from varieties that can withstand high temperatures without compromising yield. Similarly, ICAR has introduced rice varieties with protein content of over 10%, compared to the usual 6-7% in traditional varieties.
The past three years, ICAR has released 171 biofortified crop varieties. These crops offer improved nutrition, higher productivity, and resilience against adverse conditions. Additionally, total food grain and horticulture production have remained unaffected by climate change.
Efficient Use of Natural Resources: Dr. Pathak underscored the importance of adopting science and technology, practicing nature-friendly farming, and managing resources efficiently to drive progress in the Indian agricultural sector. He further stressed the need to reform farming practices and inspire 50% of the population to contribute to agriculture actively.
Towards Sustainable and Prosperous Agriculture: ICAR’s initiatives to tackle climate change challenges are making Indian agriculture more sustainable, progressive, and resilient. The adoption of climate-resilient seeds and advanced technology will not only help farmers achieve better yields and income but also safeguard the agricultural sector from the adverse impacts of climate change. This forward-looking approach will ensure a more prosperous future for Indian agriculture.
