India Maps Climate Risks in 651 Farm Districts Under NICRA

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is implementing a project i.e. the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) that studies the impact of climate change on agriculture and conduct district-level risk and vulnerability assessments. Using Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) protocols, assessments were carried out for 651 predominantly agricultural districts. Of these, 310 districts were identified as vulnerable, out of which 109 districts have been categorized as “very high” and 201 as “highly” vulnerable to future climate change.

As part of the project, climate-resilient technologies such as the system of rice intensification, aerobic rice, direct seeding of rice, zero-till wheat sowing, and cultivation of climate-resilient varieties tolerant to extreme weather conditions such as drought and heat; have been demonstrated under the project through 448 Climate Resilient Villages. NICRA is also supporting capacity building for village-level seed banks and community nurseries to ensure seed availability in participating villages. Drought- and flood-tolerant varieties of rice, wheat, soybean, mustard, chickpea, sorghum, gram, and foxtail millet were demonstrated in several NICRA villages. Besides, training programmes are conducted under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) on various issues of agricultural practices, including awareness on using the quality seeds among the farmers.

Weather Forecast Support Through GKMS Scheme

To mitigate the impacts of adverse weather on agriculture, under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme, medium-range weather forecasts for the next 5 days at the district and block levels are generated by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). Based on rainfall and other weather parameters along with weather forecasts issued by IMD, 130 Agromet Field Units prepare advisories in English and regional languages for dissemination through multiple channels. Also, farmers access districts through weather alerts and related agromet advisories specific to their districts through the Meghdoot mobile app, available in English and 13 regional languages, as well as the IMD’s Mausam app.

Weather information at the panchayat level is available through digital platforms including eGramSwaraj, the Gram Manchitra application, the Meri Panchayat mobile app, and IMD’s Mausamgram portal.

Crop Insurance Coverage Under PMFBY

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides risk coverage for crop damage from pre-sowing to post-harvest stages for food crops such as cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial and horticultural crops notified by State Governments. The scheme safeguards widespread yield losses due to non-preventable natural risks such as floods, drought, hailstorm, cyclone, pests, diseases, and landslides, but also provides coverage against farm-level yield loss due to localized risks (hailstorm, landslide, inundation, cloudburst, and natural fire) and post-harvest losses due to cyclone, cyclonic/unseasonal rain, and hailstorm

As of 30 November 2025, claims amounting to ₹1,90,374 crore have been disbursed to approximately 2,301 lakh farmers since the scheme began in Kharif 2016 through Rabi 2024–25.

Promotion of Organic Farming Through PKVY

Organic farming is being promoted through the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). The scheme provides end-to-end support to farmers engaged in organic farming for production, processing, certification, and marketing. The scheme focuses on forming organic clusters with preference to small and marginal farmers, to create a supply chain. Under PKVY, assistance of ₹31,500 per hectare over three years is provided, including ₹15,000 per hectare through Direct Benefit Transfer for organic inputs.

As of 31 October 2025, a total of 16.90 lakh hectares has been brought under organic farming, benefiting 28.24 lakh farmers under the scheme.