In a bid to effectively tackle the growing threat of climate change to the country’s agriculture sector, Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand called upon farm scientists to come out with a region-specific impact assessments.

He also suggested that cropping patterns that are climate friendly and consistent with natural resources should be evolved so that they are sustainable in the long-term.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the 13th Agricultural Science Congress, Chand asked the scientists to not only look at adaptation strategies but also focus on mitigating the impact of climate change.

The four-day congress, being organised by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) and the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), is focussing on ‘Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture’. About 2,000 participants, including scientists from all over the world, are expected to participate in the four-day event.

T Mohapatra, Director General, ICAR, said climate change was a big obstacle in achieving the targeted food production of 310 mt by 2030 and the country needs to tackle it. In the current year, the country is set to witness record foodgrain production and output may touch 272 mt, Mohapatra added.

ICAR, Mohapatra said, has made rapid progress in farm research by releasing a large number of new technologies and new crop varieties.

Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda exhorted scientists to start creating awareness both among the pubic and policy makers on the efficient use of water, which could help tackle climate change.

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