Tackling Climate Change: Development of Climate-Resilient paddy Varieties and Technologies

The government, through ICAR’s flagship network project “National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA),” has assessed the vulnerability of various rice-growing regions to climate change. Integrated simulation modeling studies indicate that, without adaptation measures, rainfed rice yields could decline by 20% by 2050 and by 47% by 2080. Similarly, irrigated rice yields are projected to drop by 3.5% by 2050 and 5% by 2080.

Development of Climate-Resilient Rice Varieties:

Between 2014 and 2024, a total of 668 rice varieties were developed, of which 199 are specifically designed to withstand harsh climatic conditions. These resilient varieties include:

• 103 varieties tolerant to drought and water stress.
• 50 varieties tolerant to flooding, deep water, or submergence.
• 34 varieties tolerant to salinity, alkalinity, or sodicity.
• 6 varieties tolerant to heat.
• 6 varieties tolerant to cold.
• Additionally, 579 out of the 668 varieties are resistant to pests and diseases, ensuring better productivity under adverse conditions.

Demonstration of Climate-Resilient Technologies:

Under NICRA, climate-resilient technologies have been demonstrated and capacity-building programs have been conducted in 448 climate-resilient villages across 151 vulnerable districts. Key rice-related technologies include:

Demonstration of climate-resilient rice varieties:

• Alternative rice cultivation methods such as aerobic rice, direct-seeded rice, and drum seeding.
• Use of green manure, such as Dhaincha, before rice transplantation.
• Establishment of community nurseries to manage delayed monsoons.
• These measures aim to mitigate the adverse impacts of changing climate scenarios on rice cultivation.

Efforts to Combat Climate Change: To address the adverse effects of climate change, the government is implementing the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), which is a key component of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Through NMSA, financial assistance is provided to states for effectively tackling climate-related challenges in agriculture.
The government's continued focus on developing resilient crop varieties and technologies underscores its commitment to ensuring food security while mitigating the risks posed by climate change.