To build climate-resilient food systems, India needs to increase its investments in agricultural technology (agri-tech) and soil health, according to experts. This call to action comes as India faces the triple challenge of feeding 1.6 billion people by 2047 while ensuring adequate nutrition and reversing environmental degradation in the face of escalating climate risks.

The Challenge India's agricultural policies have historically focused on maximizing yields and stabilizing prices through public procurement of rice and wheat. While this approach helped achieve food security, it also led to soil degradation, water stress, low soil organic carbon levels, and increased market risks for farmers. Climate change is exacerbating these issues.

Ajay Vir Jakhar, chairman of Bharat Krishak Samaj, argues that government policies that artificially depress food prices have created a cycle of unsustainable farming. He suggests that cheap subsidized fertilizers and high minimum support prices (MSPs) for certain crops incentivize unsustainable practices. Jakhar emphasizes the need for long-term economic goals to drive change.

Agri-Tech for Climate Resilience Integrating space technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing Indian farming and building resilience against environmental threats. Space technology offers tools that enable farmers to produce food more sustainably while adapting to climate challenges.

Better monitoring, predictive analytics, and real-time decision-making tools are equipping farmers to handle climate change, resource shortages, and growing food demands more effectively. New remote sensing tools, including microwave and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technologies, provide real-time soil moisture monitoring, which helps farmers optimize irrigation and prevent water wastage.

Several Indian agri-tech startups are developing AI-driven platforms and tools to provide farmers with real-time disease insights and preventive solutions. Machine learning models trained on plant images help farmers receive real-time alerts through mobile apps, while predictive analytics flag high-risk areas based on weather and soil data. This allows farmers to take timely, targeted action, reducing costs and boosting yields.

Soil Health: The Foundation of Resilient Food Systems The health of India's soils is critical for building climate-resilient food systems. Experts emphasize the importance of soil health, pointing out that a significant portion of agricultural land is facing degradation. This degradation not only impacts productivity but also reduces the soil's ability to sequester carbon, exacerbating climate change.

Companies are combining blockchain-enabled digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) with IoT, AI, precision farming, and remote sensing to promote sustainable and regenerative farming. These platforms integrate mechanization, resource optimization, farm advisory services, and traceability while enabling farmers to access carbon credit opportunities.

Policy and Economic Considerations Reworking and aligning government policies, farm economics, and technology adoption with resource-poor farmers in remote areas is crucial for addressing food security and climate resilience. Policies need to incentivize sustainable practices rather than simply focusing on production. This includes addressing issues such as cheap subsidized fertilizers and higher minimum support prices (MSPs) that promote unsustainable farming.

A shift towards market-driven production systems that respond to consumer demand for diverse, nutritious, and sustainable foods is essential. This requires moving away from a focus solely on staple grains and creating economic viability for farmers.

The Way Forward To build climate-resilient food systems, India must prioritize investments in agri-tech and soil health. This includes promoting the use of space technology and AI for precision farming, developing sustainable soil management practices, and implementing policies that incentivize sustainable agriculture. By adopting a holistic approach that considers economic viability, human health, and environmental sustainability, India can transform its agri-food systems and ensure food and nutritional security for all its citizens.