Climate-Smart Agriculture: Bridging Productivity, Adaptation and Mitigation

Climate change is altering temperature, rainfall and extreme-weather patterns, creating a dual challenge for agriculture: producing enough food for a growing population while conserving soil and water and remaining resilient to climate shocks. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), originally formulated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, offers an integrated framework built on three pillars: sustainably increasing productivity and farm income, strengthening adaptation and resilience, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions where feasible. This article explains the three pillars and describes practical CSA interventions suited to Indian conditions, including zero tillage and crop residue retention, laser land levelling, alternate wetting and drying, drip and micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, climate-resilient varieties, millets, intercropping and agroforestry, and soil-test-based and precision nutrient management. It also discusses the main barriers to adoption, such as high initial costs, fear of financial loss and limited technical knowledge, and the role of Custom Hiring Centres, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and crop insurance in addressing them. Matching practices to local climate, soil and farmer resources, rather than adopting every available technology, is the key to building resilient, productive and profitable farming systems.