NEW DELHI(Commodity Online) : India is in the process of developing national climate change response policies to mitigate the impact of climate change.
According to country's State minister for Agriculture, Harish Rawat a comprehensive and multidimensional strategy is needed to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Speaking at the International Conference on Climate Change, Sustainable Agriculture and Public Leadership here he said climate change related issues need to be addressed in a systematic manner through developmental programmes and with a view to increase productivity and profitability of small and marginal farmers.
Climate change effects will be more pronounced in Indian conditions as there are various agro-climatic zones. The most affected will be marginal and small farmers who constitute 80% of Indian farming community. He added.
The Minister said, “Climate is central to many critical agricultural decisions, ranging from farm to policy level. The Government of India has taken a stance, to address climate issues, by fully participating in international conventions, such as the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change. At domestic front, the Government is developing national climate change response policies to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Referring to timely initiatives taken by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Rawat said, “We must remember that Indian farmers are quite resilient to climatic variance, and they have lived and practiced agriculture over the centuries against all odds. I appeal to the scientists to document the indigenous wisdom of our farmers, who have been adapting themselves, to cope-up with climate variability over the centuries.”
Earlier, Dr. William D Dar, Director General, International Crops Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) said that climate change is affecting every region in the world and to feed growing population production needs to increased up-to 75-100% by 2050.UI
Dr. R.B. Singh, President, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Dr. B.P. Singh, President of National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Agriculture and Public Leadership also addressed the conference.
The Conference is jointly organized by the ICAR and National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and public Leadership. Delegates around the World, senior officials of ICAR and NARS, Directors of different institutes, scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs are participating in the conference.
