Dehradun is taking significant steps to combat climate change by empowering its agricultural community. The IFAD-funded Gramotthan Project (REAP) has launched Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) training programs across the Dehradun district. These initiatives aim to equip farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary to adapt their agricultural practices to the shifting climate, enhance yields, minimize risks, and foster sustainability.

The training sessions have already commenced in villages such as Dudhli and Jamunwala, under the Safalta Cluster Level Federation (Doiwala block) and Udaan Cluster Level Federation (Sahaspur block). Self-Help Group (SHG) members and progressive farmers are actively participating in these programs. The initiative is being conducted under the guidance of Abhinav Shah, Chief Development Officer, Dehradun, with trainers from GBPUA&T University, Pantnagar, delivering the training.

The core objectives of the CSA training are threefold: to enhance sustainable yields and income, build climate resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program is designed to provide farmers with technical knowledge, enhance productivity and income, and build climate resilience at the local level.

So far, over 200 farmers and SHG members have undergone training as part of this initiative, with plans to extend the program to over 700 more farmers in the coming months. This builds upon the previous year's efforts, where 400 individuals received similar training.

Climate-Smart Agriculture is defined as agriculture that sustainably increases productivity, enhances resilience (adaptation), reduces/removes greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation where possible, and enhances achievement of national food security and development goals. CSA is based on three key pillars: productivity, mitigation, and resilience and adaptation.

The significance of adopting scientific and innovation-driven agricultural practices is underscored by the challenges posed by climate change. These training programs are a crucial step towards empowering rural communities and improving livelihoods. Similar workshops have been conducted in other parts of Uttarakhand, such as the one in the Dunda development block of Uttarkashi district, where women farmers were trained on climate-smart agriculture, organic and natural farming, and integrated pesticide management. These initiatives often focus on teaching contemporary processing methods for indigenous crops and creating value-enhanced products.

Several organizations and initiatives are working towards promoting climate-smart agriculture in the region. The Hans Foundation, in collaboration with the Himalayan Action Research Centre (HRAC), is implementing a project aimed at improving livelihoods, food, and nutrition security for marginal farmers in Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts. This project focuses on promoting climate-smart agriculture practices, increasing farmers' knowledge and skills, and developing diverse income generation options.

These collective efforts signify a strong commitment to building a climate-resilient agricultural sector in Dehradun and the broader Uttarakhand region, ensuring the prosperity and sustainability of its farming communities.