Climate Change: Rajya Sabha MP Emphasizes Long-Term Strategy for Agri-Water Management

Urgent Need for Long-Term Strategy

In light of the severe impacts of climate change, Rajya Sabha MP Maya Narolia has stressed the immediate need to formulate a long-term strategy for agriculture and water management through a special mention in the Upper House. She stated that this is no longer a future concern but a present reality, directly affecting farmers through erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, droughts, and excessive precipitation.

Beyond Disaster Relief

MP Narolia emphasized that merely providing relief after natural disasters is insufficient. Instead, it is crucial to develop forward-looking policies that can protect farmers and water resources from the adverse effects of climate change in the coming decades. For states like Madhya Pradesh, home to rivers like Narmada, Chambal, Son, and Tapti and a rich agricultural tradition, special attention is needed for the conservation, enhancement, and judicious use of natural resources.

Water Conservation as a Mass Movement

She advocated for the widespread promotion of rainwater harvesting, the revival of ponds, micro-irrigation, watershed development, and groundwater recharge. MP Narolia believes that water conservation should be transformed into a mass movement. By integrating traditional water management systems with modern science and technology, more effective results can be achieved in water conservation.

Demand for a 25-50 Year Comprehensive Strategy

The Rajya Sabha MP urged the state government to develop a comprehensive and visionary strategy for agriculture and water management, considering a 25 to 50-year perspective. This proposed strategy should prioritize critical aspects such as continuous monitoring of soil health, development of climate-resilient seeds, real-time weather-based agricultural advisories, and efficient water use. She also highlighted the need to specifically focus on enhancing farmers' adaptive capacity to climate change.

According to her, adapting the agricultural sector to changing climatic conditions is a crucial demand of the current times, for which concrete steps must be taken immediately.