Climate Change and Evolving Role of Research Institutions

Over the past decades, agricultural research achievements have been instrumental in transforming the nation from a food-deficient economy to one capable of feeding over 1.4 billion people. While challenges like climate change, dwindling natural resources, and soil health remain, the foundations laid by past achievements provide a robust platform for innovation in research for climate change adaptability and environmental sustainability. 

India established several institutions to promote agricultural research and education. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), founded in 1929, and the state agricultural universities as part of the national agricultural research system have played a pivotal role in advancing scientific research for product and technology development contributing towards achieving food, nutrition and livelihood security. Major contributions include development of high-yielding, disease-resistant and nutritionally biofortified crop varieties, as well as agricultural practices and relevant technologies contributing to soil health, management of water and other natural resources, in addition to integrated technologies for pest and disease management. All this has resulted in increasing food production in the country to the current level of about 332 million tonnes. 

However, currently Indian agriculture, while boasting a rich history and significant achievements, is facing numerous challenges. The key challenges are climate change-induced extreme weather events leading to decreased crop productivity and increased incidences of pests and diseases. Excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, needed for maintaining productivity of the high-yielding Green Revolution crop varieties, has resulted in loss of soil fertility and crop biodiversity in farmers’ fields. 

To overcome these challenges, a renewed focus on research and innovation can provide sustainable and effective solutions. Some promising areas of research which need to be given priority include development of crop varieties which are capable of yielding high with less agrochemicals and simultaneously resisting multiple stresses like drought, salinity, flood, and high temperature, and are resistant to pests and diseases. The use of advanced and new breeding techniques like CRISPR-based gene editing as well as strengthening the ongoing efforts on genetic engineering, marker-assisted selection, genomics-assisted breeding to supplement the conventional breeding need to be given priority. Similarly, a renewed focus is of paramount importance for innovations in water management, soil health restoration, digital and precision agriculture, crops diversification, mainstreaming agrobiodiversity and strengthening research focus on biofertilizers and nitrogen-fixing microorganisms for increasing the soil fertility.

We need to develop and promote systems that reduce dependency on single crops, enhancing biodiversity and income stability of farmers. It is also important to leverage AI, IoT, and remote sensing to optimize resource use and monitor crop health. Additionally, developing affordable farm sensors, drones, and satellite-based decision-making tools is a necessity. Carbon sequestration has become essential in the context of the fast-changing climate. This necessitates promoting practices like agroforestry, conservation tillage, and the use of cover crops to enhance carbon sequestration. Research efforts need to be enhanced on plant root biology, enhancing photosynthetic carbon capturing capacity, exploring the untapped plant genetic resources and soil–plant–microbe interactions to provide valuable insights into maximizing the benefits of climate-smart agriculture practices for increasing crop productivity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By focusing on climate adaptation, technological innovation, and sustainable practices, Indian agriculture can ensure food security, improve farmer livelihoods, and protect natural resources.

However, addressing the challenges facing Indian agriculture today requires a multi-disciplinary approach, combining traditional wisdom with cutting-edge science. Collaborative efforts between policymakers, researchers, and farmers will be vital in creating a resilient and prosperous agricultural system. Strengthening participatory research approaches will allow farmers to contribute local knowledge and receive tailored solutions, fostering innovation that is practical and impactful.

In this regard, the national research institutions need to play a transformative role in introducing the desired changes so as to ensure that they stay at the forefront on the global pedestal. Further, for addressing the current challenges, changes are needed with regard to research perspective by reinvigorating the focus on basic plant sciences with a view to find a relevant solution to a problem. In other words, scientific contributions ranging from advancing fundamental knowledge of plant biology to developing innovative technologies and policies that foster climate resilience, sustainability, and improved livelihoods for farmers is the way forward. The synergy between basic plant sciences and cutting-edge technologies such as precision agriculture, regenerative agriculture, conservation agriculture, remote-sensing techniques, advanced biotechnological tools and AI-driven models forms the foundation of sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.

Despite their immense contributions, the national research institutions face challenges such as funding constraints, technology transfer gaps, interdisciplinary research, and collaboration with international institutions and private sector. Addressing these issues will require increased investment and innovative thinking to foster forward-looking partnerships. Government institutions and the private sector together need to earmark funding for agricultural research and innovation. Also, global collaboration between nations can accelerate knowledge sharing and resource mobilization. Enough emphasis needs to be given on public awareness highlighting the importance of basic sciences and advanced biotechnological tools for garnering public and policy support.

The research institutions must evolve by adopting innovative approaches, strengthening collaborations, and aligning their focus with current and future needs. In order to enhance the capacity and relevance of agricultural research institutions, it is important to foster multidisciplinarity and encourage collaboration among researchers to develop comprehensive solutions, and establish partnerships with tech companies to develop precision agriculture tools, leveraging AI, IoT, and satellite data. We need to encourage collaboration of public research institutions with private-sector companies to scale research outputs, such as improved seed varieties, post-harvest technologies, and smart farming tools. Additionally, private investment in agricultural research and strengthening linkages between research institutions and industries is required to address specific challenges.

Facilitation of exchange programmes with international institutions has become a necessity to bring cutting-edge knowledge and technologies to India. Attracting young talent by offering scholarships, fellowships, and career incentives is the need of the hour both to encourage youth to enter agricultural research and to inspire the next generation. Modernizing research facilities and upgrading labs with state-of-the-art equipment for advanced genetic and biotechnological studies will help achieve the desired scientific goals more efficiently.

Further, we need to place emphasis on developing strategies to provide sustained funding to support research projects addressing long-term challenges like climate resilience, soil restoration, carbon sequestration, environmental sustainability, etc. Researchers need to be encouraged to participate in global forums to exchange knowledge on emerging technologies and sustainable agricultural practices, and to align their research priorities with international benchmarks.

(Writer is Former Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR), Former Secretary, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences & Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University, Australia)