Parliament Question: Promotion of Climate-smart Agriculture

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 250 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21ST JULY, 2026 PROMOTION OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE 250. SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI: SHRI CHAVDA VINOD LAKHAMSHI: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state: (a) the major initiatives taken by the Government during the financial year 2026–27 to promote climate-resilient and climate-smart agriculture, including the current status of their implementation in the Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency; (b) whether any region-specific crop diversification strategies and climate-resilient seed varieties have been promoted, if so, the details thereof, including the benefits extended to farmers in the Nabarangpur Parliamentary Constituency; and (c) the details of the financial and technical assistance provided to farmers for adopting Climate-resilient agricultural practices, including the number of beneficiary farmers and the assistance provided in the Nabarangpur Parliamentary Constituency? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR) (a) to (c): The Government through, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is implementing a project- National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) in the country including the State of Odisha. The programs include studies on the impact of climate change on agriculture, conducting district level risk and vulnerability assessment of agriculture to future climate change and integrated simulation modelling studies for estimating the future projections of climate change. Further, ICAR has released 2900 varieties during last 10 years (2014-2024). Out of these 2661 varieties are tolerant to one or more biotic and/or abiotic stresses. Government is implementing various programmes under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) to ensure long-term sustainability and food security. Per Drop More Crop scheme to increase water use efficiency at the farm level through Micro Irrigation technologies i.e. drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. Rainfed Area Development scheme is being implemented to promote Integrated Farming System for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability. The Soil Health and Fertility scheme is implemented to assist states in promoting Integrated Nutrient Management through judicious use of fertilizers. Organic farming promoting through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and natural farming through National Mission on Natural Farming scheme. “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses”, National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds, and National Food Security & Nutrition Mission promotes crop diversification. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Agroforestry & National Bamboo Mission also promote climate resilience in agriculture. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana along with weather index based Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme provides a comprehensive insurance cover against failure of the crops, thereby helping compensate farmers for losses caused by natural calamities and climate-related risks.As reported by the Government of Odisha, during 2026–27, in the Nabarangpur Parliamentary Constituency, an area of 1,300 ha has been covered under the Crop Diversification Programme–Mega Lift Irrigation Project (CDP-MLIP), under which crop diversification strategies are being promoted. Under the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme, an area of 791.36 ha has been covered, benefiting 556 farmers, with a financial achievement of ₹243.46 lakh. Under the Special Horticultural Crop-Specific Scheme, an area of 93 ha has been covered, with a financial achievement of ₹245.91 lakh. Further, under the Development of Potato, Vegetable and Spices scheme, a physical progress of 272.58 ha has been achieved, covering 2,386 beneficiaries. Further, under the Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRA), climate-resilient horticultural interventions such as hybrid vegetable cultivation, strawberry cultivation, and Low-Cost/Small-Scale Mushroom Units are being implemented to strengthen farmers' livelihood resilience. Climate-resilient hybrid vegetable varieties are also being promoted under the project. In addition, training and capacity- building programmes on climate-resilient agricultural practices are being conducted at the Block and Gram Panchayat levels under the technical guidance of departmental officials.These interventions are aimed at promoting crop diversification, improving water- use efficiency, enhancing horticultural production, and strengthening the resilience of farmers' livelihoods through sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices. *****