NEW DELHI, 1 January 2024: India's agricultural sector is thriving, achieving record foodgrain production of 329.69 million tonnes in 2022-23.

This success stems from a multi-pronged approach that focuses on increasing production, minimizing climate risks, and supporting farmers.

Key Initiatives:

• Government Schemes: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare spearheads schemes like the National Food Security Mission and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, boosting productivity and providing financial stability to farmers.

• Climate Resilience: Recognizing the threat of climate change, ICAR launched the "National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture" project, developing over 2380 high-yielding, climate-resistant varieties in just a decade. These varieties cater to diverse agroecological conditions and include drought-tolerant cereals, flood-resistant rice, and heat-tolerant crops.

• Contingency Planning: ICAR-CRIDA's District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACP) and advisories from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare equip states to tackle weather-related challenges.

• Water Management: CWC closely monitors water availability through 150 reservoirs, issuing weekly bulletins and advisories to ensure judicious water use in states facing potential shortages.

Minister's Statement:

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shri Arjun Munda, highlighted these initiatives in a recent Lok Sabha address, emphasizing the vital role they play in securing India's food security and adapting to a changing climate.

Looking Ahead:

India's continued focus on technological advancements, climate-resilient practices, and farmer support promises a bright future for its agricultural sector, ensuring food security and sustainability for generations to come.