Framing climate change as a critical threat to India’s agricultural sector, Madhya Pradesh’s Minister for Cooperation, Sports & Youth Welfare, Vishvas Kailash Sarang, on Wednesday, made an impassioned appeal for heightened awareness and collective action. Speaking at the Regional Policy Dialogue on Climate Change and Its Impact on Agriculture, Sarang emphasized the urgency of addressing climate challenges in agriculture and called for proactive climate discourse and responsibility-sharing in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.
“Climate challenges confront us all. Everyone has a role, and now is the time to act,†said Sarang, as he stressed the importance of uniting efforts for a climate-resilient agricultural future.
The event, organized by Sustainability Matters in partnership with IndiAgri and Solidaridad, served as a platform for agricultural scientists, policy experts, industry leaders, and farmers to collaborate on building solutions to safeguard India’s agricultural landscape in the face of climate change.
Sarang reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering science-led dialogues and supporting actionable outcomes. “Such gatherings are essential for shaping concrete steps and collaborative models. The state stands ready to engage and assist,†he added.
During a session on climate-resilient agriculture, Dr. Suresh Motwani, General Manager of Solidaridad, highlighted that true resilience begins at the farm level but must be complemented by innovation and integrated policy. “Agriculture today is not just about production—it is about protecting ecosystems, livelihoods, and food security,†Dr. Motwani explained.
Key discussions revolved around the need to transition from water-intensive farming to sustainable agricultural practices such as micro-irrigation, watershed development, and decentralized water governance. Experts also advocated for the creation of institutional frameworks that combine traditional farmer knowledge with evolving climate science. Additionally, there was a call for greater inclusion of farmer voices in climate planning to ensure more effective solutions.
Dr. Navneet Anand, Executive Director of Sustainability Matters and Director of GreyMatters Communications, termed the dialogue as a vital bridge between academia and policy. “We must move from climate anxiety to climate action. With its agrarian depth and readiness to adapt, Madhya Pradesh is positioned to lead. This platform connects science, soil, statecraft, and sustainability,†he noted.
Dr. Bhaskar Sinha, Chairperson of the Centre for Climate Change Studies at the Indian Institute of Forest Management, emphasized the need to sensitize legislators and introduce robust monitoring systems for government schemes that address climate change.
The dialogue featured two thematic panel discussions, with over a dozen experts participating, including representatives from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The event concluded with the Sustainability Awards 2025, which recognized pathbreaking contributions to India’s agricultural landscape.
