Climate change is a global challenge. More than 65 per cent of the people of Odisha depend on agriculture, and the State’s economy is basically agriculture-based. So, agriculture must prosper for development of the State, said State Election Commissioner Rabi Naryan Senapati inaugurating a three-day 9TH National Seminar on “Water Resources Management in the context of Climate Change for Growing India” organised by the Odisha University of Agricultural Technology (OUAT) and the SCET here on Monday.

Senapati said agriculture is facing a plethora of problems due to climate change. There is sometimes scant rainfall leading to droughts and sometimes there is heavy precipitation leading to floods. So, conservation of water has become important. Climate change has wide ranging effects on the agriculture and non-agriculture sectors.

The Indian Meteorological Department has played a crucial role in weather predication.  With the adoption of latest technology, the IMD has provided near accurate predictions, be it rains, cyclone or heat wave, Senapati said.

He urged the scientists present to find out the reasons for climate change, its adverse impact on human civilisation and the preventive measures required.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) CGM Krushna Chandra Panigrahi said NABARD is carrying out campaigns on water involving district level managers. The NABARD programmes are directed towards water conservation and climate change in a positive manner. The organisation has provided Rs 14,000 for the agriculture sector of the State in 2015-16, part of which is meant for water conservation and climate change.

NABARD is the only national agency to be nominated for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) to sanction projects for climate change in India. NABARD has sanctioned Rs 1,450 crore for projects in Odisha which would cover thousands of villages.

ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack Director Himanshu Pathak said as there is huge demand for water day by day, rice varieties which need less water should be grown. On the occasion, NABARD CGM KC Panigrahi was conferred with the Sai Samman for 2016. Among IMD Director Sarat Sahoo and many other scientists also spoke. Organising secretary Professor Balram Panigrahi offered a vote of thanks.