Why Are Indian Farmers Planting More Climate-Resilient Crops? What Is Changing on Ground

Indian farming is facing a planning problem as rainfall patterns, temperatures and water availability change. A crop that suited a region for decades may become harder to grow when groundwater falls, dry spells lengthen or extreme rainfall damages fields.

ICAR is now promoting a resource-based approach in which farmers select crops and farming practices according to local soil, water and agro-climatic conditions. The approach links crop diversification with soil health, water management and better use of farm resources.

In September 2026, ICAR highlighted crop and enterprise diversification at a farmers’ programme in Bathinda, Punjab. The message was that cropping patterns should match the natural resource base and local requirements instead of following the same pattern everywhere.

This approach is becoming more important as farmers deal with both production risks and rising input costs. Changing a crop is not simply a matter of choosing another seed. Farmers need to consider water, soil, markets, labour and the weather conditions expected during the crop cycle.

Why is crop diversification becoming important?

ICAR’s analysis using Central Ground Water Board data and GRACE satellite observations found a mismatch between water demand from existing cropping patterns and groundwater availability in several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The problem becomes sharper where water-intensive crops dominate areas with declining groundwater. In such locations, farmers may need alternatives that require less irrigation while still providing a marketable return.

ICAR has prepared an Atlas of Cropping Systems in India and identified alternative cropping systems by considering agro-climatic conditions, available resources, water availability and market opportunities.

This does not mean that every farmer should abandon a major crop. The suitable choice depends on the farm and local market. A lower-water crop has limited value if farmers cannot sell it at a reasonable price.

Crop diversification can also spread risk. A farmer growing two or more crops may face less exposure to the failure of one crop, particularly when the crops respond differently to rainfall, temperature or pest conditions.

In Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, ICAR-CRIDA has been supporting farmers in drought-prone areas to move from paddy toward water-efficient non-paddy crops. The programme combines technical advice with seed support for small and marginal farmers.

What role does soil health play?

Climate resilience starts below the crop. Poor soil structure, low organic matter and imbalanced nutrient use can reduce the field’s ability to hold water and support healthy crop growth. During its Khet Bachao Abhiyan programme in Bihar, ICAR encouraged soil-test-based nutrient management, balanced fertiliser use, organic manures, green manuring, biofertilisers and crop-residue recycling.

These practices address different parts of soil management. Soil testing helps identify nutrient requirements, while organic matter and residue recycling can contribute to soil structure and nutrient cycling. Farmers should avoid assuming that more fertiliser means more production. ICAR has cautioned that excessive and indiscriminate fertiliser use can increase production costs without producing a matching increase in yield.

Green manuring offers another option. Crops such as dhaincha can be incorporated into the soil before the main crop. ICAR has promoted green manuring as part of soil-health management and sustainable farming systems. The aim is to build a farming system that can make better use of available nutrients and water. This becomes important when rainfall arrives in short, intense periods instead of being spread evenly across the crop season.

Can farmers save water without changing crops?

Crop choice is only one part of water management. Farmers can also reduce losses through field preparation, irrigation scheduling, micro-irrigation and other resource-saving practices. ICAR has highlighted laser land levelling, precision seeding, zero-tillage seed drills and efficient water management as part of climate-resilient farming. Scientific levelling can improve irrigation distribution and reduce water losses.

Micro-irrigation can also help where crops and local conditions make it suitable. ICAR’s World Water Day programmes in 2026 highlighted micro-irrigation, raised-bed cultivation, crop diversification and sensor-based irrigation as approaches for more efficient water use. Water harvesting can provide another layer of protection. ICAR’s Goa field programme demonstrated rainwater harvesting structures designed to meet crop water requirements during the post-monsoon period.

The choice of technology should depend on the farm. A small farmer may gain more from improving field channels and irrigation timing than from purchasing expensive equipment. The key question is how much water reaches the crop and how much is lost before plants can use it. Farmers can address that through several smaller changes rather than relying on one technology.

How is climate change changing farm decisions?

Climate change can affect agriculture through higher temperatures, changing rainfall, dry spells, floods and other extreme events. Farmers cannot control these conditions, but they can reduce exposure by choosing crops and practices suited to local risks.

ICAR’s climate-resilient agriculture work promotes crop diversification, conservation agriculture, water-efficient farming and targeted nutrient management as part of the response to climate change.

In 2026, ICAR also organised district-level planning for the expected impacts of El Niño on Kharif agriculture. Discussions included soil and water conservation, crop diversification with pulses and oilseeds, and climate-resilient rice varieties suited to local conditions.

This shows how climate planning is moving closer to the farm level. Instead of using one recommendation for an entire state, agricultural agencies are increasingly considering local weather, soil, water and crop conditions. ICAR and BISA-CIMMYT also developed a Climate Adaptation Atlas for Madhya Pradesh. The platform provides information on climate hazards, vulnerability, risks and adaptation options for 13 crops and six livestock species at a local scale.

Such tools can help identify where farmers may face greater exposure to heat, drought or other climate risks. The next step is converting that information into practical decisions about crops, sowing dates, water and farm management.

What can farmers do before the next season?

Farmers can start by checking their soil, water availability and recent weather patterns. The next question is whether the current crop still fits those conditions. If groundwater is falling, farmers can compare water requirements of alternative crops. If rainfall has become less reliable, they can ask their KVK or agriculture department about short-duration or stress-tolerant varieties suitable for the area.

Farmers can also diversify within the farm rather than changing everything at once. A smaller area can be used to test an alternative crop before making a larger shift. Record-keeping can help. Farmers should note irrigation frequency, input costs, yield, pest problems and selling price for each crop. These figures give a better basis for deciding whether a new cropping system works.

Climate-resilient farming is not one practice or one machine. It is a combination of crop choice, soil management, water use, diversification and timely decisions based on local conditions. For Indian farmers, the bigger shift is from asking only “Which crop gives the highest yield?” to asking “Which crop fits the water, soil, weather and market conditions on my farm?” ICAR’s current programmes are increasingly built around that question.