The Government of India on March 13, 2026, introduced the Climate Resilient Agriculture and Farmers Protection Bill, 2025, to formulate the National Mission for Climate Resilient Agriculture to mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and ensure justice for farmers and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.
It shall cease to have effect on the expiry of 5 years from the date of notification in the Official Gazette, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such cesser of operation of this Act, and section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, shall apply upon such cesser of operation of this Act as if it had then been repealed by a Central Act.
Provided that the Act may be extended beyond the period of five years by an order of the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette.
The document emphasizes that climate change is a serious and ongoing threat to agriculture, food security, and farmers’ livelihoods. It places a clear duty on the Central Government to prioritize climate-resilient agriculture within national planning and rural development. The objective is to safeguard farmers’ dignity and ensure sustainable agricultural productivity while also protecting the environment from climate-related impacts.
To achieve this, the government is mandated to establish a National Mission for Climate Resilient Agriculture, focusing on optimal use of natural resources through crop management, livestock development, soil and water conservation, and agroforestry. It also includes identifying climate-vulnerable districts and aligning existing schemes with resilience principles. Special emphasis is placed on region-specific interventions such as climate-resilient villages, improved seeds, and awareness programs tailored to local conditions.
The provisions further highlight practical measures such as improving irrigation efficiency, promoting traditional and sustainable farming practices, and strengthening pest management systems. Nutrient management is encouraged through eco-friendly approaches like integrated nutrient use and the “five R” principles. Additionally, the government is tasked with enhancing credit access, financial literacy, and insurance coverage to protect farmers against climate-induced risks and income losses.
Finally, the framework focuses on strengthening agricultural markets, improving access to climate and agro-advisory information, and introducing innovative mechanisms like index-based cash transfers for climate-affected farmers. It also ensures funding support, rule-making powers, and an overriding legal effect to enforce the Act effectively, thereby creating a comprehensive system for long-term agricultural resilience and farmer welfare.
[BILL No. LXIV of 2025]
