SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday attended the National Summit on “Sustainable and Climate Resilient Agroecosystems: Innovations and Policy Framework” at SKUAST Jammu and called for a science-driven transformation of agriculture to address climate challenges.
He urged scientists, innovators, and stakeholders to work collectively to build climate resilience in the agriculture sector and strengthen sustainable agroecosystems.
Sinha said agriculture policies must prioritise climate-resilient crops and stressed the need to bridge the gap between laboratories and farms. He called upon researchers to focus on developing climate-adapted crop varieties as a top priority.
Stating that farms form the foundation of civilization and economies, the Lieutenant Governor said climate change poses a serious threat to agriculture and allied sectors, leaving no scope for delay in response.
He highlighted India’s agricultural progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that food grain production reached 357 million tonnes in 2024–25, while horticulture output stood at 362 million tonnes. He also referred to expansion in soil health initiatives, credit support to farmers, and increased procurement of pulses and oilseeds.
Sinha, however, cautioned that climate impacts are intensifying, citing extreme weather events witnessed across states in the past year.
He proposed a set of measures including farmer-led research partnerships, expansion of climate insurance, green credit systems, localized climate advisory services, conservation of traditional seeds, policy integration, and transparent evaluation mechanisms. He also emphasized precision farming, water management, diversification, and technology integration in agriculture.
The Lieutenant Governor stated that small and marginal farmers, despite contributing least to climate change, are the most affected and must be given adequate protection and support. He called for real-time climate guidance for farmers and described farmland as a national asset requiring protection for future generations.
The event was attended by Minister for Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Science and Technology Satish Sharma, SKUAST-Jammu Vice Chancellor Prof BN Tripathi, IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, and other scientists, academicians, policymakers, and students.
