India's Shift to Sustainable, Climate-Resilient Agriculture
India's agriculture sector is increasingly adopting sustainable and climate-resilient practices, according to Sanjay Sethi of the FAO. Farmers are using integrated nutrient and pest management, climate technologies, and government-supported methods like Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) to reduce chemical use while maintaining productivity. Farmer education, financial incentives, and peer learning are critical to successful adoption, leading to safer food and better environmental outcomes.
Sanjay Sethi, National Technical Coordinator at the FAO, highlights India's ongoing transition toward more sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Key to this shift is the adoption of integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, and advanced technologies, which help reduce reliance on chemical inputs without compromising productivity or profitability. Sethi notes that agricultural production continues to rise as more farmers embrace these sustainability-linked practices and climate-resilient technologies. Government support, especially for methods like Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR), has encouraged diversification into crops better suited to changing climatic conditions. Technological integration—such as DSR, seed treatments, and bio-fertilizers—is making food healthier and closer to organic standards. Sethi emphasizes that farmer education and awareness are essential for the effective application of new methods, as successful adoption often depends on observing positive results among peers. While extension services have boosted productivity in the past, the focus is now on reducing chemical use and improving efficiency to balance productivity, sustainability, and farmer profits. The article underscores a collective effort among agricultural professionals to achieve less emissions, lower water consumption, and sustained farmer income, signaling a broader national movement toward safer, more sustainable food systems.
