Led by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, the approach integrates climate risk assessment, resilient crop development, water management, capacity building, and financial safeguards.

At the heart of this strategy is the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) programme. Under NICRA, climate vulnerability assessments have been conducted across 651 agricultural districts using protocols aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The findings reveal that 310 districts are climate-vulnerable, including 109 classified as 'very high' and 201 as 'highly' vulnerable.

To address this, India has developed District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) for all 651 districts. These plans provide location-specific strategies to manage weather aberrations, including recommendations on climate-resilient crops, suitable varieties, and adaptive farm management practices. This district-level planning framework reflects a shift toward precision adaptation in agriculture.

On-ground implementation is being driven through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), where climate-resilient technologies are demonstrated across 151 districts covering 448 Climate Resilient Villages. These interventions include system of rice intensification, aerobic rice cultivation, and direct seeding of rice. In parallel, farmers are being encouraged to adopt crop varieties tolerant to drought, heat, floods, and other extreme weather conditions.

Capacity building is a key component of the strategy. NICRA supports the establishment of village-level seed banks and community nurseries to ensure timely access to quality seeds. Demonstrations of climate-resilient varieties have been carried out for crops such as rice, wheat, soybean, mustard, chickpea, sorghum, gram, and foxtail millet. Training programmes under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) further strengthen farmers' ability to respond to climate variability. Technical assistance is also being extended to additional vulnerable districts, with a focus on small and marginal farmers.

India's crop research system has significantly expanded its climate-resilient portfolio. Between 2014 and 2024, ICAR released 2,900 crop varieties, of which 2,661 are tolerant to one or more biotic and abiotic stresses. This large-scale varietal development is a critical pillar in building long-term resilience.

Beyond research and extension, the government is implementing multiple schemes to address specific climate challenges such as water stress, soil degradation, and income risks. The Per Drop More Crop initiative promotes efficient water use through micro-irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation. The Rainfed Area Development scheme supports integrated farming systems to enhance productivity while reducing climate-related risks.

Soil health management is addressed through the Soil Health and Fertility scheme, which promotes integrated nutrient management and balanced fertilizer use. At the same time, sustainable farming approaches are being scaled through the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and the National Mission on Natural Farming, encouraging reduced dependence on chemical inputs.

Crop diversification is another major focus area. Programmes such as the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds, and the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission aim to diversify production systems and reduce risk exposure. In addition, initiatives like the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, agroforestry programmes, and the National Bamboo Mission contribute to ecological sustainability and resilience.

Financial protection remains a critical safeguard for farmers. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), along with the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme, provides insurance coverage against crop losses caused by natural calamities and adverse weather events. Since its launch in 2016, PMFBY has disbursed claims amounting to ₹1.92 lakh crore as of December 2025, offering significant financial relief to affected farmers.

By integrating resilience into every layer of the agricultural system, from seed to soil to insurance, the country is building a structured response to climate risks while safeguarding farmer livelihoods.

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