Defining Adaptation and Resilience, with Implications for Policy

 

Increase in average global temperature of the planet Earth has led to rise in climate extremes such as floods, storms, drought and slow onset events like rising seas, melting glaciers and oceans turning acidic, climate change is here to stay. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that the window of opportunity for climate resilient development is narrowing. We must scale up efforts to reduce risks and adopt adaptation practices at scale such as building dykes, retrofitting infrastructure, promoting regenerative/ organic food production and water conservation.

 

We have worked with organizations such as SEEDS India, Access Agriculture, Asian Productivity Organization and Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) to promote such practices.

 

At our organic farms, we are actively integrating climate-resilient agricultural practices to promote adaptation and ensure sustainable farming. We prioritise the use of drought-resistant and indigenous crop varieties that require less water as compared to hybrid crop varieties. 

Soil health is safeguarded through organic composting, cover cropping, and agroforestry, which not only enhances fertility but also sequester carbon. 

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By diversifying crops with resilient options like millets and pulses, we reduce climate-related risks while preserving biodiversity. Additionally, we leverage agrometeorological data to guide timely sowing and harvesting, coupled with traditional farming techniques that have proven effective in adapting to local climate conditions. These measures not only strengthen our farms against climate impacts but also uphold the principles of organic, sustainable, and community-centric agriculture.

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Through our Farmer Field School activities in Etawah, we are promoting sustainable agriculture practices in the water stressed regions of India.