Climate Resilience and Food Security in South Asia

South Asia faces an urgent crisis as climate change increasingly threatens its food security. The region, home to a large proportion of small-scale farmers, is experiencing unpredictable weather patterns, floods, droughts, and rising temperatures. These changes endanger staple crops like rice and wheat, risking the livelihoods of millions and the stability of national economies.

Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture

South Asia’s agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate variability. Rising temperatures and irregular monsoons could reduce crop yields by 10-30% by 2050. Floods and droughts cause frequent crop damage, destabilising food prices and rural incomes. India alone lost millions of hectares of crops between 2015 and 2021 due to extreme weather. Agriculture supports nearly 40% of India’s population and contributes 15% to its GDP, making climate impacts a major socio-economic threat.

Technological and Agronomic Adaptations

Adapting agriculture to climate change requires innovation and diverse cropping systems. Drought-resistant crops like millet and rice varieties have improved yields in vulnerable regions. Efficient water management through micro-irrigation and rainwater harvesting reduces drought risk. Technology such as artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and early warning systems help farmers make timely decisions. Digital platforms link farmers with climate data and insurance, but must be accessible to smallholders and women farmers to be effective.

Policy and Institutional Measures

Government policies must integrate climate resilience into agricultural planning. Schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provide crop insurance but need enhancements for better coverage and timely compensation. National missions promote sustainable farming and water conservation. Investments in rural infrastructure, cold storage, and value chains reduce postharvest losses and increase farmer incomes. Social protection and market access initiatives are crucial to shield vulnerable groups from climate shocks.

Community and Regional Collaboration

Building resilience starts at the grassroots with empowered farmer groups and cooperatives adopting climate-smart practices. Women’s participation in decision-making strengthens food security and sustainability. Early warning systems involving local communities reduce disaster losses. Regionally, South and Southeast Asian countries must collaborate in research, data sharing, and technology transfer. India’s scientific expertise positions it to lead efforts in climate-resilient agriculture across the region.

Global and Societal Significance

Food security under climate stress is a complex challenge intertwining agriculture, economy, and society. It demands coordinated action by farmers, scientists, policymakers, and international organisations. The FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative exemplifies this approach by encouraging partnerships and data-driven solutions. Achieving a hunger-free future depends on recognising the interconnected wellbeing of soil, crops, and communities while embracing sustainable, inclusive agricultural development.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically discuss the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in South Asia.
2. Examine the role of technology and innovation in enhancing climate resilience in Indian agriculture and analyse its inclusivity for smallholder farmers.
3. Estimate the effectiveness of government policies like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in mitigating climate risks in agriculture and point out areas for improvement.
4. Analyse the importance of regional cooperation in South and Southeast Asia for addressing shared climate-induced food security challenges and discuss India’s potential leadership role.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically discuss the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in South Asia.

1. Rising temperatures and erratic monsoons may reduce crop yields by 10-30% by 2050, especially rice and wheat.
2. Frequent floods, droughts, and pest invasions cause large-scale crop losses and income instability for farmers.
3. Smallholder and marginal farmers are disproportionately affected due to dependence on weather and limited resources.
4. India lost nearly 69 million hectares of crops (2015-2021) due to extreme weather events.
5. Agriculture supports ~40% of India’s population and contributes 15% to GDP, linking climate impact to socio-economic vulnerability.
6. Food price volatility and rural hardship increase, threatening food security and economic stability in the region.

2. Examine the role of technology and innovation in enhancing climate resilience in Indian agriculture and analyse its inclusivity for smallholder farmers.

1. Technologies like AI, remote sensing, and GIS enable real-time weather and crop monitoring for informed farming decisions.
2. Early warning systems for floods and droughts reduce losses when integrated with local governance and extension services.
3. Digital agriculture platforms provide predictive climate data, crop advice, and insurance options to farmers.
4. Adoption of drought-resistant crops (e.g., millet, resilient rice varieties) improves yields under climate stress.
5. Micro-irrigation and rainwater harvesting enhance water use efficiency and drought resilience.
6. Challenges remain in ensuring access and usability of technology for smallholders and women farmers, who form a large part of agricultural labor.

3. Estimate the effectiveness of government policies like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in mitigating climate risks in agriculture and point out areas for improvement.

1. PMFBY provides crop insurance to protect farmers against climate-induced losses and promotes risk mitigation.
2. It helps stabilize farmer incomes and encourages investment in agriculture despite climate uncertainties.
3. Coverage gaps exist for small and tenant farmers, limiting inclusivity and reach.
4. Delays in claim settlements and lack of transparency reduce farmer trust and program effectiveness.
5. Integration with climate data and early warning systems can improve risk assessment and compensation accuracy.
6. Need for enhanced awareness, simplified procedures, and increased financial support to make the scheme more farmer-friendly.

4. Analyse the importance of regional cooperation in South and Southeast Asia for addressing shared climate-induced food security challenges and discuss India’s potential leadership role.

1. South Asia faces common climate threats affecting agriculture and food security, necessitating joint adaptation strategies.
2. Regional collaboration can accelerate research, technology transfer, and sharing of best practices on climate-resilient agriculture.
3. Pooling resources enhances capacity building, disaster preparedness, and early warning systems across borders.
4. South-East Asia’s ASEAN model shows benefits of economic and policy cooperation for resilience building.
5. India’s scientific expertise, institutional strength, and large agricultural base position it as a regional leader.
6. India can spearhead initiatives for data exchange, innovation dissemination, and coordinated policy frameworks benefiting the entire region.