Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday called for a bold, science-driven transformation of the agriculture sector to tackle the escalating threat of climate change, urging closer collaboration between scientists and farmers.
Addressing the National Summit on “Sustainable & Climate Resilient Agroecosystems: Innovations and Policy Framework” at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, he stressed the need to bridge the gap between laboratories and farmlands and prioritise the development of climate-resilient crop varieties to safeguard livelihoods and food security.
He urged the scientists, innovators and other stakeholders to come together to build climate resilience and transform sustainable Agro-ecosystems.
“The moment has come to move beyond minor adjustments and embrace bold, science-led, farmer-focused transformation. Policies must champion climate-resilient crops. We must close the divide between laboratory and farmland and researchers should make the creation of climate-adapted varieties their highest priority”, the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said that our farms are the bedrock of civilization, the backbone of economies, and the promise of tomorrow.
“Every policy, every intervention must respect that our fields and farmers have carried humanity through centuries of turmoil. Now the threat of climate change reaches far beyond the farmer’s field and it imperils every life sustained by Agriculture and Allied Sector. The urgency of this crisis leaves no room for delay”, the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India leads the fight and in 2024-25, agriculture production hit 357 million tonnes, up 25 million from 2023-24, with horticulture at 362 million tonnes, including high-value crop diversification “Ahead of others, India launched nationwide soil testing, distributing 25 crore Soil Health Cards. Farmer credit limits rose from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh. Rs.100 crore funds high-productivity seeds under a national mission. Pulses procurement at MSP jumped 7,350% and oilseeds 1,500% since 2013-14. However, climate impacts are intensifying and last year witnessed extreme weather across states,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor called upon scientists and innovators for 7 commitments for climate-resilient agriculture-farmer-led research partnership, expansion of climate-responsive insurance, green credit, localised climate advisories for all, safeguarding traditional seeds, policy integration and transparent evaluation. He also emphasized precision and regenerative farming, water management, diversification, and tech integration.
The Lieutenant Governor said that scientists and policymakers must recognize that small and marginal farmers contribute least to climate change yet endure its harshest blows. Calling for protection, the Lieutenant Governor said that farmers are not merely producers of grain but they are custodians of tradition, culture, food security, and the promise of a sustainable future.
Satish Sharma, Minister for Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Science & Technology; Prof. B. N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu; Dr.Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General, Meteorology, India Meteorological Department (IMD); Prof. A.K. Dhawan, President, Indian Ecological Society; Dr. S. K. Gupta, Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu; Dr. Syed Sheraz Mahdi, Organizing Secretary, scientists, academicians, policymakers, experts, and students in large numbers also attended the inaugural session.