Dr. G.P. Dixit

Director, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur

Dear Readers,

Climate change is an urgent and pressing issue that is already affecting various regions around the globe, including South Asia. In India, the impact of climate change on pulse crop yields is particularly concerning. Rising temperatures, increased climate variability, and extreme weather events pose significant challenges to pulse plant growth and yields. These challenges include reduced crop productivity, increased vulnerability to diseases and pests, and changes in flowering and pollination patterns. Moreover, a shortage of water resources and unpredictable market dynamics further exacerbate the difficulties faced by pulse farmers in India.

Though several measures are being undertaken to improve the resilience of crops nationally, the most prominent include crop diversification, improved and precise irrigation practices, use of climate-resilient varieties, adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, use of weather forecasting and advisory services, and capacity building and farmer training. Encouraging farmers to diversify their crop production can help reduce dependency on traditional pulse crops that may be vulnerable to climate change impacts. Developing and promoting the cultivation of climate-resilient pulse varieties that are adapted to changing climatic conditions can help ensure stable pulse production despite adverse weather events.

Encouraging sustainable agricultural practices such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and organic farming can improve soil health, water retention, and overall resilience of farming systems. Providing timely and accurate weather information to farmers helps them make informed decisions regarding agricultural practices, including sowing times, irrigation schedules, and pest management strategies in the face of changing climatic conditions. Conducting training programs and capacity-building workshops for farmers on climate-smart agricultural practices, modern farming techniques, and risk management strategies can empower them to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change on pulse production.

By implementing a combination of these strategies tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by pulse farmers in India, it is possible to improve pulse production and resilience in the face of climate change. Scientists at the Institute are engaged in research touching on each of these areas. Breeders are especially focused on developing improved pulse cultivars with key traits such as heat and drought tolerance, water use efficiency, nitrogen fixation, pest and disease resistance, early maturity, yield stability, and adaptation to variable climate conditions. With the advent of advanced technologies, precision breeding, including genome editing, has been initiated to enhance ongoing efforts to improve pulse productivity under climate change. The Institute is now a part of the Flagship Programme on “Enhancing Climate Resilience and Ensuring Food Security with Genome Editing Tools,” which focuses on different yield and nutritional aspects in pulse crops such as chickpea, pigeonpea, urdbean, lentil, and lathyrus.

(Girish Prasad Dixit)