Providing Gender and Equity Balance in the NAPCC on Agriculture SUMAN SAHAI Gender and Economic Policy Discussion Forum, Inst. of Social Studies Trust & Heinrich Boll Foundation, 02 July, 2013, New Delhi

Focus Areas of NAPCC- Agriculture 1.Dryland Agriculture 2.Risk Management 3.Access to Information 4.Use of Biotechnology

Risk Management  Strengthening weather insurance mechanisms  Creation of web-enabled, regional language based services to facilitate weather-based insurance  GIS and remote-sensing for soil resource mapping and land use planning at watershed/ river basin level

Risk Management..  Mapping vulnerable eco-regions and pest and disease hotspots  Developing and implementing region-specific contingency plans based on vulnerability and risk scenarios

Dryland Agriculture  Development of drought- and pest-resistant crop varieties  Improved methods to conserve soil and water  Stakeholder consultations, training and demonstration for agro-climatic information sharing and dissemination  Financial support to enable farmers to invest in and adopt relevant technologies to overcome climate related stresses

Use of Biotechnology  Use of GE for higher photosynthetic efficiency (C3 to C4 )  Development of crops with better water and nitrogen use efficiency to reduce GHG emissions  GE for drought, submergence & salinity tolerance  Nutritional strategies to manage heat stress in dairy animals leading to low milk yield

Use of Biotechnology..  Develop transgenic crops for drought and heat stress  Develop transgenic plants with enhanced capacity for CO2 fixation  Develop GE livestock, fish, poultry and microbes resistant to high temperature and drought

Use of Biotechnology….  Develop salt and disease resistant fresh water fish and prawn  Functional genomics to increase efficiency of re-fixing ammonia to reduce impact of ammonia volatilisation

Action Points - Rainfed Agriculture  Promote released vars of temperature resistant crops.  National Seed Grid to ensure supply of seed  Strategic research to develop suitable varieties and cropping systems for various agricultural climatic conditions to enhance yield levels.

Action Points - Rainfed Agriculture…  Promote micro irrigation systems in irrigated and rain fed areas in 40 Million hectares.  Undertake minimum tillage, organic farming, rain water conservation as adaptation and mitigation measures

Data Bases  National Portal on Soil Resources including Soil Survey at Block/Tehsil level  Soil Resource Mapping and Land Resource Planning  National Portal on Agricultural Statistics  Capacity Building through HRD for all Stakeholders of the System

Gene Campaign’s Recommendations A knowledge-intensive, rather than input- intensive approach should be adopted to develop adaptation strategies. Traditional knowledge about the community’s coping strategies should be used to find solutions Knowledge held by women is particularly important

Special package for adaptation for rain fed areas based on minimizing risk. Diversified production model including crops, livestock, fisheries, poultry and agro forestry H omestead gardens supported by nurseries in the hands of women Training programs to educate rural communities about climate change & adaptation

Conserving genetic diversity of crops and animal breeds (associated knowledge) Breed improvement of indigenous cattle to improve their performance Early warning system to monitor changes in pest and disease profile and predict new outbreaks.

National grid of grain storages from Grain Golas to ultra- modern silos to ensure local food security and stabilize prices. Better agriculture credit and insurance systems to include both men and women

Adaptation and mitigation support structures for the 128 agro-ecological zones in the country.  Center for Climate Risk Research, Management and Extension  Develop Farming System Approaches  Farmer Field School  Provide Agromet Service

Network of community level seed banks - contingency plans - alternative cropping strategies Decentralized seed production programs to address the crisis of seed availability. Produce seeds of - main crops - contingency crops - fodder and green manure plants

Food, water and health security will be the greatest casualties of global warming, women will be most vulnerable Essential to develop and implement gender appropriate climate resilient systems for food and water security NOW