(a) whether the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has submitted a report regarding vulnerability of agricultural production to climatic change;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the said report suggested that the climatic changes may result in alarming decline in agricultural production thereby threatening food security in the country; and
(d) if so, the remedial steps being taken by the Government for ensuring food security and livelihood of a big part of the population?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTILAL BHURIA)
(a) A network project on Impact, Adaptation and Vulnerability of Indian agriculture to
Climate Change has been operating during X plan with a Coordinating Center at IARI,
New Delhi. Interim Annual Progress Report (2005-06) of the project has been prepared.
(b) & (c): The project is still continuing in 14 collaborating centers in several
research institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and state
agricultural universities. No clear-cut confirmed findings are available. However,
intensity of extreme events like drought, flood, heat waves, cold waves, cyclonic
incidence etc. has increased. There is an indication of some changes in temperature
and rainfall especially in Himachal Pradesh, which could affect crop productivity.
Increase in temperature associated with global warming would effect the crop growth
processes and hence productivity
(d) ICAR through its various institutes and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)
is examining the possible strategies that could be useful in minimizing the negative
impacts of climate change. Research on resource conservation technologies such as zero
tillage has been intensified all over the country. Adjusting crop management by
planting date and development of improved varieties can mitigate most of these negative
effects.
Government of India is implementing various programmes namely,
(i) National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA),
(ii) Soil Conservation for Enhancing Productivity of Degraded Lands in the Catchments
of River Valley Project and Flood Prone River (RVP & FPR).
(iii) Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP),
(iv)Desert Development Programmes (DDP)
(v) Integrated Waste-land Development Programme (IWDP) etc. for resource conservation
programmes and schemes to promote efficient utilization of water, land, nutrients
and pesticides etc. for sustainable farm development in the country. Besides these
programmes, Government has also taken up research activities in this direction.