Approach:

Introduction: Describe the importance of agriculture

Body: Mention the need to ensure greater climate resilience. Also, highlight ways to ensure such resilience.

Conclusion: Conclude by depicting how ensuring such resilience can ensure inclusive development.

Answer:

Agriculture is a significant source of income in India, employing over 50 per cent of the population. Climatic change is impacting crop productivity and causing frequent disasters like floods and draughts, etc. thus negatively impacting our food security.

Global Food Policy Report 2022 has warned that climate change may push many Indians towards hunger by 2030 due to a decline in agricultural production and disruptions in the food supply chain.

Need to ensure climate-resilient agriculture in India:

1. Climate change is affecting India's agriculture, resulting in crop failure, decreased yields, and farmer distress. Climate-resilient agriculture can protect farmers' livelihoods as World Bank also stated in 2019
2. In India, floods, droughts, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, impacting crop growth and production according to Indian Meteorological Department. In the face of climate change, climate-resilient agriculture can increase the resilience of food systems and ensure food security.
3. Adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices can increase farmers' income and productivity while reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
4. In India's water-scarce regions, climate-resilient agriculture can promote sustainable water use and management in agriculture, which is crucial.
5. In addition to promoting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, climate-resilient agriculture can also contribute to sustainable development.
6. Investing in agriculture that is resilient to climate change can generate economic benefits, such as increased employment opportunities and improved rural development.

Ways to ensure India's agriculture is climate-resilient:

1. Promoting agricultural practices that are climate-smart, such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and crop diversification.
2.  Developing and promoting climate-resilient crop varieties capable of withstanding drought, flooding, and extreme temperatures. Various kinds of research are being promoted by the Indian council of agricultural research in this regard.
3. Ensuring water efficiency through enhanced irrigation techniques, water harvesting, and water conservation measures.
4. Utilizing organic and natural fertilizers, soil conservation techniques, and crop rotation to increase soil fertility.
5. Improving livestock management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve animal health, and boost productivity
6. Developing and promoting weather forecasting and early warning systems to assist farmers in preparing for severe weather.
7. Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as improved storage facilities, cold chains, and transportation systems, to reduce postharvest losses.
8. Building the capacity of farmers, extension agents, and policymakers through training, education, and awareness-raising programs.

Thus, there is a need to ensure sustainable agriculture by developing a consensus around it and popularizing sustainable practices for their greater adoption. There is also an opportunity alongside this to increase farmers’ income through practices such as organic farming, which needs to be exploited. By ensuring climate resilience in agriculture, we can protect the incomes of around half of the population and move towards inclusive development.