A Road Map Ahead - Climate Resilient Agriculture for Ensuring Food Security - page 342

Fig. 14.1 Ten dimensions and four key functional areas for program of action

14.3.1 Research and Development

program of action (POA) covering both adapta-
tion and mitigation measures:
• Improved crop seeds
• Livestock and fi sh cultures
• Water-use effi ciency
• Pest management
• Improved farm practices
• Nutrient management
• Agricultural insurance
• Credit support; markets
• Access to information
• Livelihood diversifi cation
These key areas need to be addressed due to
the risks emanating from climate change. Each
of these dimensions has then to be analyzed in
the context of four functional areas, viz.,
research and development, technology and prac-
tices, and infrastructure and capacity building
for identifying adaptation and mitigation needs
in a multidimensional and cross-sectoral matrix
(Fig. 14.1 ). New research activities and sche-
matic interventions would also be necessary for
meeting the adaptation and mitigation needs in
the long term.

Customization of hybrid or high-yielding variet-
ies of seeds to the specifi c needs of each agrocli-
matic zone (ACZ) would be the main thrust area
under the theme of research and development. An
expansion in the scope of livestock research pro-
grams to cover other farm animals besides cattle
would prove benefi cial in the long run. Research
on better fodder and adaptive fi sh varieties needs
to be initiated. Use of biotechnology for the
development of plant, animal, and fi sh varieties
that are more climate resistant and have higher
resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses is an
important prerequisite for dealing with climatic
variabilities and heat stresses. Development of
predictive models for pest and disease surveil-
lance would also be supported and strengthened.
At the economic level, research on market
requirements and new forms of credit assessment
and risk management systems needs to be pro-
moted. The details of opportunities for new inter-
ventions in the functional area of research and
development are as follows: