National Workshop on Climate Resilient Rainfed Agriculture Held in New Delhi

New Delhi: The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) under the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare (DA&FW), Government of India, organized a pivotal National Workshop on ‘Climate Resilient Rainfed Agriculture (CRRA)’ today.

The event, held in New Delhi, was inaugurated by Additional Secretary, DA&FW and CEO of NRAA, Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, in the presence of distinguished guests including Dr. S K Choudhary, DDG (NRM), ICAR, Franklin L. Khobung, Joint Secretary (Rainfed Farming System), DA&FW, and B Rath, Technical Expert (Water Management), NRAA.

In his inaugural address, Faiz Ahmad Kidwai emphasized the need for policy reforms that prioritize the growth of landless, small, and marginal farmers in rainfed areas. Highlighting the vulnerability of these regions to extreme climatic events, he advocated for innovative and technology-driven agricultural practices to build climate resilience. Kidwai underscored the potential of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) scheme, implemented as part of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), in facilitating the transition towards CRRA. He called for the effective convergence of the RAD scheme with various developmental programs to ensure optimal resource utilization.

The workshop served as a crucial platform for representatives from state and central governments, agricultural experts, researchers, and policymakers to discuss and strategize on enhancing crop production in rainfed areas through a climate resilience approach.

Dr. S K Choudhary discussed the profound impact of climate change on agriculture and allied sectors. He emphasized the importance of inclusive growth in rainfed areas across different agro-ecosystems through an integrated approach. Dr. Choudhary also shared insights from the ICAR-NICRA scheme, which addresses the multifaceted impacts of climate change through research, education, and extension. He advocated for block-level Risk Assessment Atlases and hands-on training for field functionaries on CRRA.

The workshop featured technical sessions that delved into the intricacies of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) and the management of livestock and natural resources in rainfed areas. Discussions covered various aspects of climate-resilient agriculture, including landscape-based IFS, watershed development, digital forecasting techniques, the revival of pastoral routes, and generating economic evidence for scaling sustainable agriculture in the country.

Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the updated operational guidelines for the RAD scheme and addressed key implementation challenges. The workshop concluded with forward-looking approaches for enhancing climate resilience and sustainability in rainfed areas. Attendees expressed optimism about the potential of the proposed strategies to revolutionize the agricultural sector and improve livelihood security for farmers nationwide.