Madhya Pradesh has embarked on an ambitious plan to develop 1,100 ‘climate-smart’ villages with the aim of preparing farmers to manage the climate change risks on time.

“The government is planning to develop these villages in the next six years,” Farmer Welfare & Agriculture Development Department Principal Secretary Rajesh Rajora told PTI.

Integrated agriculture

He said 100 villages in each of the 11 agro-climatic zones of the state would be taken up under the plan, which would incur a cost about ₹150 crore every year.

“The work is being taken up under the National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP) and Indian National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture,” he said.

In these villages, the farmers will be encouraged to go for short duration variety of crops, in addition to using drought-resistant seeds.

“The focus will be on integrated agriculture, which comprises animal husbandry and fisheries, in addition to traditional farming. Agro-forestry will also be adopted in these villages,” Rajora said.

Agro-forestry conserves and protects the natural resources as it helps water retention and stops soil erosion.

Crop management

He said integrated nutrients management would also be implemented to help in soil fertility and plant nutrients supply through optimisation of all possible sources of organic, inorganic and biological components.

“In addition, the integrated pest management, zero tillage, raised bed gardening techniques and micro-irrigation would also be introduced in the climate smart villages. This would help farmers to increase the productivity amid all challenges of climate change,” he said.

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