News Context: In January 2026, policy reports highlighted that 51% of India’s net sown area remains rainfed, making the scaling of CRA a non-negotiable for national food security.
The Evolution of Resilient Farming
- The "Triple Win" Objective: CRA aims to simultaneously (1) Increase agricultural productivity, (2) Enhance farm-level adaptation (resilience), and (3) Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA): Launched by ICAR in 2011, it has transitioned from mere research to Demonstration Hubs in 100+ most vulnerable districts.
- Key Technological Interventions:
- Varietal Adaptation: Development of drought-tolerant (Sahbhagi Dhan) and heat-tolerant (PBW 803) seeds.
- System of Rice Intensification (SRI): Reduces water usage by 30–50% and methane emissions by nearly 40%.
- Conservation Agriculture: Practices like Zero-Tillage and Cover Cropping that prevent soil erosion and improve carbon sequestration.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
