Right science, policy, and market support can turn drylands into major agricultural strengths: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Distilled Policy Brief
- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan highlighted that drylands can turn into agricultural strengths with proper scientific interventions, policy frameworks, and market support, emphasizing that farming success must prioritize farmer livelihoods alongside crop yield.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
'Dryland Congress 2026' was convened in New Delhi in collaboration with ICAR and ICRISAT to focus on climate resilience, dryland crop breeding, and market-led nutrition.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Examine how transitioning from yield-centric approaches to a whole-of-system framework can transform rainfed and dryland agriculture into engines of rural economic growth and climate resilience in India.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to sustainable dryland agriculture and the 'Dryland Congress 2026' held in New Delhi, consider the following statements: 1. The congress emphasized that the primary metric for agricultural transformation in drylands must focus on farmer prosperity and livelihoods, rather than crop yield alone. 2. It advocates a 'whole-of-system, whole-of-society, and whole-of-government' approach to turn dryland regions into productive agricultural strengths. 3. The event brought together delegates from over 25 countries to deliberate on climate resilience, breeding, nutrition, and policy-driven solutions. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
All three statements are correct. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan highlighted that success in agricultural transformation must prioritize farmer livelihoods and prosperity over mere yield increases. Secretary DARE underscored the necessity of a whole-of-system, whole-of-society, and whole-of-government approach to transform drylands. The conference convened over 800 delegates from more than 25 countries focusing on breeding, climate resilience, and sustainable management.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.