New Delhi: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in collaboration with the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), on Thursday reviewed 15 years of progress under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) and launched the Atlas of Climate Adaptation in Indian Agriculture (ACASA–India), outlining a data-driven roadmap to strengthen India’s climate-resilient agri-food systems.
The workshop aimed to synthesise lessons from a decade-and-a-half of NICRA implementation, assess India’s gains in agricultural climate resilience, and chart future strategies through integrated science, policy alignment, and targeted investments.
Basant Panchami and India’s Climate Resilience Journey
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jat described Basant Panchami, symbolising knowledge and renewal, as an apt occasion to reflect on India’s climate resilience journey and to launch national knowledge platforms such as the Akasha Atlas and NICRA portals.
Marking 15 years of NICRA, he said the programme has reached a critical juncture where clear strategic direction and a long-term vision are essential. Despite recurrent climatic stresses, Indian agriculture—particularly in rainfed regions—has shown notable resilience and productivity gains.
These gains, he noted, reflect the effectiveness of climate-resilient technologies, enabling policies, and institutional convergence across the agricultural sector.
Integrated Ecosystem Supporting Farmers
Dr. Jat emphasised that India’s climate resilience rests on an integrated ecosystem of science, policy support, technological innovation, safety nets, and coordinated implementation.
Programmes such as NICRA, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and various livestock and fisheries missions have collectively enhanced adaptive capacity and improved farmer livelihoods across vulnerable regions.
He called for deeper synthesis of data, learnings, and investments into a unified national climate action platform, supported by a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach with a centralised data ecosystem.
Launch of ACASA–India Platform
On the occasion, Dr. Jat formally launched the Atlas of Climate Adaptation in Indian Agriculture (ACASA–India), a web-enabled digital platform developed by ICAR-led National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) in collaboration with BISA–CIMMYT.
The platform is designed to support location-specific, data-driven adaptation planning and decision-making for farmers, policymakers, and researchers confronting climate variability.
Looking ahead, Dr. Jat said India’s experience offers a compelling global narrative on science-led, policy-aligned solutions for securing agri-food systems under climate stress, positioning NICRA as a potential global model.
Expert Perspectives and Global Relevance
Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, said the workshop provides a critical platform for advancing science at scale and adopting a holistic approach to climate action.
He highlighted the importance of developing robust and credible carbon credit methodologies as a priority area for future climate investments.
Dr. A. K. Nayak, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management), ICAR, noted that the workshop holds global relevance, bringing together science, data, and practical insights vital for strengthening climate resilience across international agri-food systems.
NICRA’s Role in India’s Development Goals
The workshop reviewed NICRA’s implementation across more than 200 locations in 151 highly climate-vulnerable districts nationwide.
Participants emphasised that strengthening NICRA’s contributions is critical to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.
