V02: Bihar and climate-resilient agricultural practices

Introduction:

Climate-resilient agriculture refers to agricultural practices and systems that are

designed to anticipate, respond to, and recover from the adverse impacts of
climate change while maintaining or increasing productivity. It involves the
integration of sustainable and adaptive approaches to farming that help
minimize risks associated with climate variability, such as extreme weather
events, changing rainfall patterns, flood, environmentally sustainability concerns
(soil erosion, water scarcity, and loss of biodiversity) and rising temperatures.

Background:

Bihar, located in the country’s most fertile northern plains, is blessed with some
of the finest fertile alluvial soils deposited by the mighty river Ganga and its
tributaries. This makes it a state with huge potential and can make India a food-
secure nation.

The eastern state’s weather also supports a diverse variety of crops. And maybe
this is the reason why agriculture has become Bihar’s economic backbone for the
past several decades. The sector engages 77% of the state’s workforce and
contributes to around 24.8 per cent of the state domestic product.

But this dependence of state domestic product on agriculture is highly

susceptible to climate variability and environmentally sustainability concerns
that adversely impact crop production, making economic development
unpredictable.

Need of CRA practices:

The adverse effects of extreme weather led to significant crop losses each year.
In early 2021, Bihar experienced severe weather events that exacerbated this
issue. Notably, the districts of West Champaran, East Champaran, and
Muzaffarpur faced unexpected flooding from the Gandak River, which inundated
extensive areas of cultivated land, primarily affecting paddy, sugarcane, and
vegetable crops shortly after the monsoon season began.

Out of a total of 9.36 million hectares of cultivable land in the state, around 3
million hectares fall under various flood hazard categories. Specifically, 252,000
hectares are classified as being at "very high risk of flood," while 347,000
hectares are categorized as having a "moderate flood" hazard.

Over the past two decades, the area of cropped land affected by floods in Bihar
has fluctuated between 0.01 million hectares and 1.40 million hectares.
According to predictions from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
under the National Network Project on Climate Change, climate change is
expected to significantly impact crop yields of major food crops in the years
2020, 2050, and 2080, worsening the existing conditions.

Bihar is particularly susceptible to hydro-meteorological natural disasters,

featuring both flood-prone and drought-prone regions. The northern part of the
state is vulnerable to flooding due to its location in the "courtyard of Himalayan
rivers," while southern Bihar faces significant drought risks, being situated in the
"backyard of rivers" flowing from the south. This combination places the state at
a heightened risk of disasters.

According to the flood hazard atlas based on satellite data from 1998 to 2019,
fifteen districts—Darbhanga, Khagaria, Sitamarhi, Katihar, Muzaffarpur, Patna,
Bhagalpur, Samastipur, East Champaran, Madhubani, Nalanda, Saharsa,
Madhepura, Purnia, and Sheohar—are most severely impacted by floods.
Additionally, approximately 19 to 21 districts experience agricultural drought
annually, with five districts classified as severely drought-affected, as reported
by a 2021 ICAR study. The state's vulnerability to these disasters has led to dire
situations; for instance, in 2019, Bihar faced both drought and flooding
simultaneously.

Despite fertile land, the state has low agricultural productivity due to outdated
practices and inadequate adaptation to changing climate conditions state,
rapidly growing population places increased pressure on food production
systems.

The impact of these crises has severely shaken the state's economy and
intensified challenges related to food security, employment, and poverty. To
combat these issues, integrating crop production with livestock management,
aquaculture, and agroforestry can enhance water management and pest control
while improving overall resilience against such disasters. The implementation of
Climate-Resilient Agriculture practices can help mitigate risks associated with
hydro-meteorological events.

To effectively address the crop losses resulting from these natural disasters,
Bihar government launched the Climate Resilient Agriculture Program in 2019
under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, aiming to address the
vulnerabilities posed by climate change. Initially piloted in eight districts, the
program was scaled to all 38 districts based on its success, demonstrating a
commitment to enhancing agricultural resilience state-wide.

Some areas are already participating in the Sustainable Livelihoods and

Adaptation to Climate Change (SLACC) scheme initiated by the Union Ministry of
Rural Development, which focuses on agriculture in flood- and drought-prone
regions.

CRA initiative:

Bihar has integrated CRA practices that focus on improving water management,
pest control, and nutrient management. These practices not only enhance
productivity but also reduce risks associated with hydro-meteorological disasters
such as floods and droughts. The introduction of climate-smart villages has
facilitated the demonstration and dissemination of effective agricultural
techniques tailored to local conditions.

The CRA program emphasizes capacity building by training around 150,000

farmers annually in climate-resilient technologies. This training includes practical
demonstrations of new farming techniques such as crop diversification and
precision input management, which are crucial for adapting to changing climatic
conditions.

The implementation of the CRA program involves collaboration among various

stakeholders, including national and international research institutions like
CIMMYT and ICAR. This multi-disciplinary approach ensures that farmers benefit
from the latest research and technological advancements in agriculture.

Efforts to improve resource utilization through methods like laser land levelling,
crop residue management, and efficient water use have been promoted. These
strategies help farmers maximize productivity while minimizing environmental
impact.

Access to appropriate financial services is critical for smallholder farmers in

Bihar. The CRA program aims to provide financial support that enables farmers
to invest in resilient agricultural practices and technologies, thus enhancing their
adaptive capacity.

The program encourages community involvement in decision-making processes

related to agricultural practices. This participatory approach ensures that the
solutions implemented are relevant to the specific needs of local farmers,
thereby increasing their effectiveness.

The development of climate-resilient agriculture in Bihar is a multifaceted effort

driven by government initiatives, community engagement, and innovative
agricultural practices. By focusing on these factors, Bihar aims to enhance food
security and improve the livelihoods of its farmers in the face of climate change
challenges.

Impact:

The Climate Resilient Agriculture Programme (CRA) in Bihar has significantly

impacted crop yields through various interventions aimed at enhancing
agricultural resilience to climate change. Here are the key findings regarding its
impact on crop yields:

The CRA has led to higher grain yields for kharif crops across various districts.
For instance, the grain yield of rice varieties like Arize-6444-gold increased by
30.41% in Gaya and 15.06% in Buxar compared to traditional practices1.
Similarly, interventions in rabi crops such as wheat, chickpea, lentil, and mustard
showed yield increases ranging from 3.77% to 12.41% over local practices.

Farmers reported higher net returns from implementing CRA practices. For
example, the net income from mustard cultivation rose by 31.61%, attributed to
reduced cultivation costs and increased yields2. Zero tillage methods for wheat
resulted in net returns of INR 64,588 and INR 73,548 in Buxar and Gaya,
respectively, which were significantly higher than traditional methods. The
programme promoted practices such as zero tillage and line sowing with seed
drills, which not only improved yields but also reduced the cost of cultivation by
approximately 19.6%2. This efficiency is critical for smallholder farmers who face
resource constraints.

The CRA has facilitated a shift from less productive cropping systems like rice-
wheat to more diverse and resilient cropping patterns. The area under rice-wheat
systems decreased by 58%, allowing farmers to adopt more profitable crops that
are better suited to changing climatic conditions.

Continuous training programs have educated farmers about climate-smart

technologies, leading to better adoption rates and improved agricultural
practices that directly contribute to higher productivity.

Conclusion:

Overall, the Climate Resilient Agriculture Programme in Bihar has not only
improved crop yields but also enhanced the economic viability of farming
through better resource management and diversification strategies. These
outcomes are essential for building resilience against climate change impacts in
the region's agriculture sector.