India accelerates climate-resilient farming push as 310 districts flagged highly vulnerable

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 2, 2025

India has intensified its nationwide efforts to safeguard agriculture from the escalating impacts of climate change, with a comprehensive scale-up of climate-resilient interventions under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project, implemented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The initiative has completed district-level risk and vulnerability assessments across 651 predominantly agricultural districts using Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) protocols. The findings show that 310 districts fall into the vulnerable category, including 109 rated “very high” and 201 identified as “highly” vulnerable, informed Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

To strengthen farmers’ adaptive capacity, NICRA is demonstrating a suite of climate-resilient technologies across 448 Climate Resilient Villages through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). These include the system of rice intensification, aerobic and direct-seeded rice, zero-till wheat, climate-resilient crop varieties tolerant to drought and heat, and in-situ incorporation of rice residues. The project also focuses heavily on capacity building, facilitating village-level seed banks and community nurseries to ensure timely seed availability during adverse conditions. Drought- and flood-tolerant varieties of rice, wheat, soybean, mustard, chickpea, sorghum, gram and foxtail millet have been widely demonstrated in NICRA villages.

Farmers are additionally being supported through training programmes under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), which promotes awareness on quality seeds and modern agricultural practices.

To help farmers navigate weather uncertainties, the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme — implemented by the India Meteorological Department — now issues five-day district- and block-level forecasts. Based on these forecasts, 130 Agromet Field Units prepare advisories in English and regional languages, disseminated through multiple channels. Farmers can also access district-specific alerts through the ‘Meghdoot’ mobile app of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, available in 13 regional languages, and through IMD’s ‘Mausam’ app. At the Panchayat level, weather information is made accessible via digital platforms such as eGramSwaraj, the Gram Manchitra application, the Meri Panchayat app and IMD’s Mausamgram portal.

In parallel, crop-risk mitigation continues through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which provides comprehensive coverage from pre-sowing to post-harvest across food crops, oilseeds and commercial and horticultural crops. The scheme protects farmers against both widespread and localized natural risks, including drought, flood, pest attacks and extreme weather events. As of 30 November 2025, claims worth ₹1,90,374 crore have been disbursed to approximately 2,301 lakh farmers since its rollout in Kharif 2016.

The government is also promoting sustainable and chemical-free agriculture through the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), which supports the formation of organic clusters, especially for small and marginal farmers, and provides end-to-end assistance from production to certification and marketing. Farmers receive ₹31,500 per hectare over three years, including ₹15,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer for organic inputs. As of 31 October 2025, 16.90 lakh hectares have been brought under organic farming, benefitting 28.24 lakh farmers.