Real time implementation of agricultural contingency plans to cope with weather aberrations in Indian agriculture

Abstract

Weather aberrations impact agriculture and allied sectors in one or other parts of the India round the year. Seasonal droughts and extreme weather events in 21st century have caused alarming losses not only in agricultural production but also horticulture, livestock, poultry and fisheries. ICAR-CRIDA, SAUs and DAC, MoA, GoI, prepared more than 580 district level agriculture plans within formation on contingency measures for sustaining higher agriculture production and to cope with extreme events. Real-time contingency planning (RTCP) is being conceptualized and implemented at micro level in farmers’ fields in this country. RTCP implementation during delayed onset of monsoon, seasonal droughts and floods resulted in better crop performance, higher agricultural production, better incomes and overall stability in house-hold livelihoods. In this paper, the real-contingency measures to cope with extreme events for management of horticultural crops, livestock, poultry and fisheries are proposed. Further, the preparedness for RTCP implementation with policy initiatives is also suggested.