India’s Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA)
Context:
With 51% of India's net sown area being rainfed and producing nearly 40% of the country's food, the agricultural sector is highly vulnerable to climate variability.
To meet domestic food demands amidst unpredictable weather and declining soil health, India is shifting towards Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA).
What is CRA?
CRA integrates biotechnology (biofertilizers, biopesticides, genome-edited crops) and AI-driven tools to enhance productivity while reducing dependence on chemical inputs
It includes soil-microbiome analyses, crops edited to withstand drought or salinity, and AI analytics for locally tailored farming strategies.
Key Initiatives & Status:
National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA):
It was launched by ICAR in 2011
It demonstrates technologies like aerobic rice, zero-till wheat sowing, and system of rice intensification in 448 villages
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture:
It focuses on integrated farming, water use efficiency, and soil health, particularly in rainfed areas
BioE3 Policy recently positioned CRA as a key thematic area for biotechnology-led solutions
Challenges:
Adoption is hindered by low awareness among small farmers, inconsistent quality of bio-inputs, and a digital divide limiting access to precision tools
Way Forward:
A coherent national roadmap under the BioE3 framework is essential.
This includes strengthening supply chains for bio-inputs, deploying climate-tolerant seeds, and providing financial incentives such as climate insurance to farmers.