Climate change threatens agriculture beyond farms, Manoj Sinha warns in Jammu
Jammu, April 28, KNT: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday warned that climate change is emerging as a major threat to agriculture and human livelihoods, calling for urgent, science-driven transformation of farming systems to build resilience.
Addressing a national summit on “Sustainable & Climate Resilient Agroecosystems” at SKUAST Jammu, Sinha said the impact of climate change now extends far beyond farms and poses risks to all sectors dependent on agriculture.
“The threat of climate change reaches far beyond the farmer’s field and it imperils every life sustained by agriculture and allied sectors. The urgency of this crisis leaves no room for delay,” he said.
He emphasized the need to move beyond incremental changes and adopt bold, science-led and farmer-focused strategies, including the development of climate-resilient crop varieties and stronger integration between research institutions and farmers.
Sinha said recent extreme weather events across states underline the growing intensity of climate impacts, even as agricultural output continues to rise.
Highlighting policy priorities, he called for a coordinated approach involving farmer-led research partnerships, climate-responsive insurance, green credit systems, localized climate advisories, and protection of traditional seed varieties.
He also stressed the importance of precision and regenerative farming, improved water management, crop diversification, and the use of technology to enhance resilience.
The Lieutenant Governor said innovations must address real-world challenges faced by farmers and urged financial institutions to prioritize sustainable agricultural financing.
He noted that small and marginal farmers, despite contributing least to climate change, are among the most affected, and called for targeted protection measures.
“Every farmer deserves real-time climate guidance. Every field must be treated as a national asset,” he said, emphasizing the need to safeguard agriculture for future generations. [KNT]
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