Manoj Sinha calls for bold climate resilient farming at SKUAST Jammu summit
JAMMU, April 28, 2026:-Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the National Summit on Sustainable and Climate Resilient Agroecosystems at SKUAST Jammu today, calling for a science-led and farmer-focused transformation of the agricultural sector.
Emphasizing that farms are the bedrock of civilization, Sinha urged scientists, innovators, and stakeholders to collaborate on building climate resilience to protect livelihoods.
He noted that while agriculture is the backbone of the economy, the intensifying threat of climate change now imperils every life sustained by the sector, leaving no room for delay in policy interventions.
Sinha highlighted India’s significant agricultural progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that production reached 357 million tonnes in 2024-25, a 25 million tonne increase from the previous year.
He detailed various national successes, including the distribution of 25 crore Soil Health Cards, an increase in farmer credit limits to 5 lakh, and a massive jump in pulses and oilseeds procurement since 2013-14.
Despite these gains, he warned that extreme weather patterns witnessed over the last year necessitate a shift from minor adjustments to bold innovations, particularly in developing climate-adapted crop varieties.
The Lieutenant Governor proposed seven key commitments for climate-resilient agriculture, including farmer-led research partnerships, expanded insurance, and localized climate advisories. He stressed the importance of precision farming, water management, and the conservation of traditional seeds as anchors of resilience.
Sinha called on financial institutions to prioritize sustainable financing and urged researchers to ensure that innovations meet real-world needs rather than remaining confined to academic discussions.
Concluding his address, Sinha reminded the audience that small and marginal farmers often endure the harshest impacts of climate change despite contributing the least to it. He described farmers as custodians of tradition and food security, asserting that every field must be treated as a national asset.
The summit was attended by Satish Sharma, Minister for Food Civil Supplies and Science and Technology, along with Vice Chancellor B. N. Tripathi, meteorology experts, and a large gathering of scientists and students dedicated to the future of sustainable farming.