Adapting Agriculture for a Changing Climate

Adapting Agriculture for a Changing Climate

Dr. Chinmoy Kumar Sarma

Climate change’s impact on agriculture will be a primary driver of global food security. India is particularly at risk due to its agrarian economy, strained natural resources, and limited adaptation strategies, with significant negative effects already projected for the 2010–2039 period.

However, the exact sensitivity of India’s agricultural systems remains uncertain because of diverse regional climates, soil types, and farming practices.Assam is especially vulnerable; its heavy reliance on farming must expand to meet a growing population, yet the state faces severe climate risks.

In fact, Assam is ranked as the fifth most vulnerable state in India by the Department of Science and Technology and holds the highest overall vulnerability index according to the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (2021). Notably, 15 of Assam’s districts are among the 25 most climate-vulnerable districts in the entire country.

Climate-smart agriculture is an integrated strategy for managing crops, livestock, fisheries, and forests which aims to achieve productivity improvement, enhanced resilience and reduced emissions simultaneously. While traditional methods have long helped communities manage weather patterns, these age-old practices are increasingly outmatched by the sheer intensity of modern climate change.

To build effective mitigation and adaptation strategies, we must first understand how weather patterns are shifting and how agricultural systems respond. In light of this, Assam Agricultural University and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research have developed several climate-resilient technologies designed to withstand these evolving challenges.

Climate variability primarily impacts agriculture through water scarcity or excess. To maintain stable crop yields during droughts or heatwaves, farmers can adopt scientific water conservation, precise irrigation scheduling, and climate-resilient practices like zero-tillage, adjusting planting dates, and selecting low-water-use varieties. Implementation of water-smart technologies-including rainwater harvesting, micro-irrigation, wastewater reuse, and laser land leveling—is essential to mitigating these climatic risks.

Each year, floods submerge nearly 5 lakh hectares of land in Assam, making strategic crop planning and management essential for the region’s survival. To address these challenges, Assam Agricultural University has introduced specialized rice varieties designed for extreme weather, including submergence-tolerant, staggered planting, and short-duration types.

Submergence-tolerant varieties offer a resilient solution for flooded fields, while staggered planting varieties are ideal for areas where unpredictable weather delays traditional transplanting. However, a major hurdle remains: the shortage of seeds for these specific varieties. To overcome this, it is vital to promote a “varietal shift” by empowering local communities to produce their own seeds at the village level.

Crop diversification is an important option for livelihood security and resilience to climate variability. Emphasis should be given to crop diversification and intensive production during flood-free periods, especially during rabi season. Precise farm mechanization, extended sowing windows, short-duration kharif rice varieties, and the introduction of remunerative, low-water crops are key. Assam Agricultural University has recommended several cropping patterns for different agro climatic zones of Assam for flood affected and also for drought prone areas.

 Further, district wise contingency plans, prepared by different KVKs are also available in ICAR website which can be utilized for contingency planning at micro level based on the situations by different stakeholders. Building up of soil organic carbon, controlling soil lose due to erosion, improving structure and water holding capacity of soil etc. are some key issues to enhance resilience in soil.

The livestock sector requires high-quality feed, water, improved housing to mitigate temperature stress, and preventive healthcare like vaccinations. Enhancing feeding systems serves as a key adaptation measure that boosts production efficiency. Farmers should adopt critical interventions, including utilizing community lands for fodder during climate extremes, improving storage methods, and using micronutrient supplements to handle heat stress. Additionally, situational planning for fodder banks is essential to ensure a steady supply during critical periods.

In the fishery sector, floods typically cause cultured fish to escape and predatory species to enter. Farmers can mitigate this by installing nylon netting around pond perimeters and raising or renovating dykes. Beyond physical loss, floods often degrade water quality through increased turbidity and siltation-issues that require scientific management to resolve.

Furthermore, the perennial shortage of quality fish seed makes it difficult for farmers to restock if their ponds are washed away. Establishing fish seed banks is a vital intervention to build resilience and ensure quick recovery. To support farmers facing such natural calamities, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, providing financial coverage against crop failure due to pests, diseases, and environmental disasters.

Dr. Chinmoy Kumar Sarma, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat

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