Sustainable agriculture

Choudhary said that to assist states in regulating groundwater resources, the ministry of Jal Shakti drafted a Model ‘Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Bill.’ This bill provides a regulatory framework to curb indiscriminate groundwater extraction while promoting rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge.

By training villagers in digital skills and providing them with the tools to access government services, these initiatives improve livelihoods and foster a sense of empowerment in rural communities.

Omar Abdullah, the head of the Kashmir government, stated that Kashmir is facing a severe threat from climate change, particularly in the form of a water crisis. He stressed the need for greater awareness and action.

The workshop focused on addressing critical gaps in India’s veterinary services by leveraging private sector expertise.

With the successful completion of more than 68,000 Sarovars ahead of schedule, the government has now launched the second phase of Mission Amrit Sarovar. This phase will emphasise ensuring sustainable water availability and climate resilience, with community participation (Jan Bhagidari) being the core focus.

The climate-smart agriculture concept reflects the ambition to improve the integration of agriculture development and climate responsiveness.

Hydroponics uses less water and is more productive than soil-based agriculture and can be carried out all year round. Though hydroponics can be expensive and difficult to install, all it requires at its most basic level is the plants, water, a container and a source of light.

According to the Meteorological Department, the period from September 1 to January 15 saw a drastic reduction in rainfall, with Sindh experiencing a 52 per cent decrease and Balochistan witnessing a 45 per cent shortfall.