The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) jointly organised the Review Workshop of National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) and the Launch-cum-Use Case Workshop of the Atlas of Climate Adaptation in Indian Agriculture (ACASA–India) in New Delhi on 23 January 2026. The event was inaugurated by Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to build climate-resilient agri-food systems.
NICRA Review Reflects on 15 Years of Climate Resilience Progress
The workshop focused on:
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Synthesising 15 years of learnings from NICRA
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Assessing India’s progress in climate resilience in agriculture
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Charting a convergent, data-driven roadmap for strengthening climate-resilient agri-food systems
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Aligning science, policy and targeted investments for long-term impact
The review comes at a critical juncture as climate risks intensify, making resilience-building in agriculture a national priority.
Basant Panchami Symbolism and Launch of Knowledge Platforms
Addressing the gathering, Dr. M. L. Jat said that Basant Panchami, symbolising knowledge and renewal, was an apt occasion to reflect on India’s climate resilience journey.
On the occasion, he formally launched key national knowledge platforms, including:
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Akasha Atlas
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NICRA knowledge portals
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ACASA–India platform
He noted that while NICRA has completed 15 years, the programme now requires a clear long-term strategic vision, deeper synthesis of evidence and stronger integration with national climate action priorities.
India’s Agriculture Shows Resilience Despite Climate Stress
Dr. Jat highlighted that Indian agriculture, particularly in rainfed regions, has shown notable resilience and productivity gains despite recurring climatic stresses. He attributed this to:
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Climate-resilient technologies promoted under NICRA
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Supportive government policies
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Institutional convergence across sectors
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Strong implementation frameworks
He emphasized that India’s climate resilience is built on an integrated ecosystem of:
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Science and innovation
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Policy support
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Technology adoption
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Social safety nets
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Human capital
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Coordinated implementation
Key initiatives such as NICRA, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and national livestock and fisheries missions were cited as major contributors to improving farmers’ adaptive capacity and livelihoods.
Call for Unified National Climate Action Platform
Looking ahead, Dr. Jat called for:
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Deeper integration of data, learnings and investments
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Development of a unified national climate action platform
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A whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach
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Creation of a centralised data ecosystem to support evidence-based decision-making
He noted that India’s experience now offers a powerful global narrative on science-led, policy-aligned solutions, positioning NICRA as a potential global model for climate-resilient agriculture.
ACASA–India Launched to Support Data-Driven Adaptation Planning
Dr. Jat also formally launched the Atlas of Climate Adaptation in Indian Agriculture (ACASA–India), a web-enabled digital platform developed by ICAR-led NARES in collaboration with BISA–CIMMYT.
The platform is designed to support:
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Location-specific climate adaptation planning
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Data-driven decision-making for policymakers
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Scientific targeting of investments in agriculture
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Strengthening resilience at regional and district levels
Eminent Experts Emphasise Science, Scale and Carbon Credibility
Several senior experts highlighted the national and global relevance of the workshop:
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Dr. Rajbir Singh, DDG (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, stressed the need to advance science at scale and called for prioritising robust carbon credit methodologies as a key future focus.
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Dr. A. K. Nayak, DDG (Natural Resource Management), ICAR, noted that the workshop brings together science, data and practical insights essential for strengthening global agri-food system resilience.
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Participants emphasised that outcomes from the workshop will contribute meaningfully to both national and global climate action efforts.
NICRA’s National Footprint Strengthens Viksit Bharat Vision
The workshop also reviewed the progress of NICRA, which is currently implemented across:
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More than 200 locations
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151 highly climate-vulnerable districts across India
Experts agreed that strengthening NICRA’s impact is essential to India’s broader developmental goal of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Several senior ICAR officials and dignitaries, including Dr. A. K. Nayak, Dr. Rajbir Singh, Dr. B. Venkateshwarlu, Dr. V. K. Singh and Dr. P. K. Aggarwal, attended the inaugural session.
Conclusion
The NICRA review and ACASA–India launch workshop marked a significant step in advancing India’s climate resilience agenda in agriculture. By combining long-term learnings, cutting-edge digital platforms and a renewed strategic vision, the initiative reinforces India’s leadership in building science-based, policy-aligned and farmer-centric solutions for climate-resilient agri-food systems. The outcomes of the workshop are expected to shape both national strategies and global discourse on sustainable agricultural adaptation.
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Source: PIB
