Question map
In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: 1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme. 2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France. 3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 4 (1, 2 and 3) because all three statements accurately describe the institutional framework of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) initiatives in India.
- Statement 1 is correct: The "Climate-Smart Village" (CSV) approach is a flagship project of the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) program. It aims to test and scale up climate-resilient farming practices across various agro-ecological zones in India.
- Statement 2 is correct: CCAFS is a strategic partnership led by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). CGIAR is an international global partnership, and its System Organization headquarters is located in Montpellier, France.
- Statement 3 is correct: ICRISAT, located in Patancheru (Hyderabad), India, is a prominent member of the CGIAR consortium. It plays a pivotal role in implementing CSA technologies and conducting research for semi-arid tropical regions.
Since all statements are factually accurate, Option 4 is the right choice.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis question bridges 'Current Affairs' (Climate-Smart Villages) with 'Static GK' (Headquarters locations). It punishes superficial reading; you must know the parent organization (CGIAR) of major initiatives (CCAFS) and the location of key institutes (ICRISAT) to clear the cut-off.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: In the context of India's Climate-Smart Agriculture, is the "Climate-Smart Village" approach in India part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) international research programme?
- Statement 2: In the context of India's Climate-Smart Agriculture, is the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) programme carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)?
- Statement 3: In the context of India's Climate-Smart Agriculture, is the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France?
- Statement 4: In the context of India's Climate-Smart Agriculture, is the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India one of CGIAR's research centres?
Defines Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) as an approach with objectives (productivity, adaptation/resilience, mitigation) that underpins initiatives called 'Climate-Smart Village' models.
A student could note that CCAFS focuses on CSA globally and therefore check whether CCAFS runs CSA-model pilots called 'Climate‑Smart Villages' in India.
Gives a concrete Indian example (Puri district) of farmers using 'climate smart methods' at local scale, indicating CSA is implemented at village/district level in India.
One could use this pattern (local CSA pilots exist) plus CCAFS's role in piloting local CSA to search for CCAFS‑linked village projects in India.
Mission objectives mention devising action plans at agro‑climatic and panchayat levels and linking weather stations to panchayats—showing national policy emphasis on village/panchayat‑scale interventions.
Knowing national-level push for village/panchayat interventions, a student could check whether international programmes (like CCAFS) partner with such national/panchayat initiatives to implement 'Climate‑Smart Villages'.
Describes international research collaboration (Indo‑French project on adaptation of irrigated agriculture), showing precedent for international research programmes conducting climate‑agriculture projects in India.
Given this precedent, a student could plausibly look for similar international research programmes (e.g., CCAFS) running CSA/Climate‑Smart Village projects in India.
Describes INCCA as a national network to promote domestic climate research and influence policy, implying both domestic and international actors engage in climate‑agriculture research in India.
A student could infer that international programmes often coordinate with national networks (like INCCA) and therefore check for CCAFS collaboration with Indian research networks on village‑scale CSA pilots.
- Explicitly names CCAFS as a strategic initiative of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
- Directly ties CCAFS to CGIAR governance/partnership, supporting that it is carried out under CGIAR.
- Refers to CCAFS as 'CGIAR’s research program on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS)'.
- Describes CCAFS as a global partnership launched within CGIAR, reinforcing that it operates under CGIAR.
- Identifies the program by its full name including the 'CGIAR Research Program' prefix.
- States CCAFS is a collaboration among CGIAR research centres, indicating it is carried out under CGIAR.
Defines Climate‑Smart Agriculture (CSA) as an approach that guides actions to transform agricultural systems — implying coordinated programmes and research efforts are used to implement CSA.
A student could infer that large coordinated research programmes (like those run by international research bodies) are plausible vehicle for CSA and then check whether CCAFS is one such programme under CGIAR.
Describes the Koronivia decision at UNFCCC recognizing agriculture in international climate frameworks, showing agriculture–climate action often operates via international agreements and coordinated programmes.
Use the pattern that international climate–agriculture initiatives often link to global research consortia and then investigate whether CCAFS is hosted by an international consortium such as CGIAR.
Describes INCCA as a large, networked national research programme (100+ institutions) for climate and agriculture — demonstrating the model of structured research networks addressing climate–agriculture issues.
Compare the INCCA model to international research networks (basic outside knowledge: CGIAR is an international research consortium) to assess whether CCAFS might be an example of an international research programme.
Mentions international collaborative research projects (Indo‑French CEFIPRA project) addressing climate effects on farming, indicating countries and research bodies collaborate on such topics.
A student could reason that similarly themed programmes (like CCAFS) could be organized under international research groups and then verify the institutional affiliation.
Calls for establishment of global technology watch groups and knowledge networks for climate science and agriculture, implying global institutional actors play roles in coordinating climate–agriculture research.
Using the idea that global knowledge networks implement climate–agriculture work, one could check whether CCAFS is one such globally coordinated programme and whether CGIAR is the hosting consortium.
Shows explicit Indo‑French cooperation in agricultural research (CEFIPRA and an Indo‑French project on climate change and farming).
A student could note France is active in agri research partnerships with India and therefore check whether an international agri research body like CGIAR might be located in a country involved in such partnerships (France or elsewhere).
Describes the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) as the national coordinating agency for agricultural research, implying a distinction between national (ICAR) and international research organisations.
Use this pattern to reason that CGIAR, as an international research group, would be headquartered outside ICAR’s national structure and thus one should look up CGIAR’s international headquarters location.
Defines Climate‑Smart Agriculture (CSA) as an approach guiding actions globally to transform agricultural systems.
Because CSA is a global approach, a student could infer that key coordinating bodies (like CGIAR) are international in scope and then check which country hosts their headquarters.
Discusses strategic plans, R&D and institutional support at agro‑climatic zone level in India, highlighting the role of organised research and international linkages for adaptation.
A student could extend this by distinguishing between domestic research institutions handling Indian implementation and international institutes (e.g., CGIAR) that provide global research support, prompting verification of the international institute’s base country.
Mentions coordination among several national research institutes (ICAR centres) to evolve coping technologies, illustrating national research leadership in India.
From the pattern that India uses national centres for implementation, a student might infer CGIAR operates at a different (international) level and thus should verify its country of headquarters rather than assuming it is within India or in a partner country like France.
- Explicitly lists ICRISAT among CGIAR programmes and research centres partnered with FAO for CSA work.
- Directly ties ICRISAT to the group of CGIAR research centres in the climate-smart agriculture context.
- Identifies ICRISAT headquarters location in India (Patancheru), supporting the 'in India' part of the statement.
- Shows ICRISAT operates research leadership roles from its India HQ, consistent with it being a research centre.
Explicit list names 'International Crops Research Institute For Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Hyderabad', confirming ICRISAT is a prominent agricultural research institute located in India.
A student could combine this with external knowledge that CGIAR is a consortium of international agricultural research centres to check whether ICRISAT appears on CGIAR's member centre list.
Describes ICRISAT running strategic research in a 'network mode' across crops and sectors, implying it participates in international/ collaborative research networks.
A student might infer ICRISAT's networked role makes it a plausible member of international consortia like CGIAR and then verify membership on CGIAR sources.
Identifies the geographical extent of semi-arid and arid tracts in India—the ecological zone that ICRISAT's name and remit focus on.
Knowing ICRISAT focuses on semi-arid tropics and seeing where those zones lie helps a student judge why an international centre for semi-arid crops would be based in India and thus likely included among global crop-research centres.
Details crops (e.g., jowar) important in semi-arid regions of India, aligning with ICRISAT's crop/region focus implied by its name.
A student could use this to reason that an institute devoted to semi-arid tropics would research those staple crops and thus be a candidate for inclusion in international agricultural research networks like CGIAR.
Describes collaborative work by major Indian agricultural research institutes (ICAR network) to address climate issues, showing a national pattern of research networks and lead centres.
A student could contrast national networks (ICAR) with international networks (CGIAR) and then seek whether ICRISAT functions similarly at an international level by checking CGIAR membership lists.
- [THE VERDICT]: Current Affairs Bouncer + Static Trap. Source: CCAFS website/The Hindu (Environment page).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Sustainable Agriculture (GS-3). Specifically, international collaborations for climate adaptation.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Agri-HQ Map': FAO/WFP/IFAD (Rome), CGIAR (Montpellier, France), IRRI (Philippines + Varanasi Hub), ICRISAT (Hyderabad), CIMMYT (Mexico).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When a term like 'Climate-Smart Village' appears in news, ask: Is this a GOI scheme or an International Project? If International, who runs it (CCAFS)? Who runs them (CGIAR)? Where are they based?
CSA aims to raise agricultural productivity and incomes, build adaptation and resilience to climate change, and reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions.
High-yield for UPSC: CSA's triple objectives appear across questions on agricultural policy, climate adaptation and mitigation. Mastering this helps answer questions on national schemes, farmer resilience measures, and climate policy linkages. It connects to topics on sustainable agriculture, rural livelihoods and environmental management.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Salient Features: > p. 43
India is divided into agro-climatic regions to tailor agricultural planning and context-specific interventions for productivity and resilience.
High-yield for UPSC: Understanding agro-climatic zoning helps in questions on region-specific agricultural policies, targeted R&D, and implementation of climate-resilient practices. It links geography, planning, and agricultural development topics and enables answers on area-specific schemes or adaptation strategies.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 10: Spatial Organisation of Agriculture > AGRO-CLIMATIC REGIONS OF INDIA > p. 32
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > Mission Objectives > p. 305
India uses networked programmes (e.g., INCCA) and focused objectives to produce scientific research and build capacity for climate impacts and adaptation in agriculture.
High-yield for UPSC: Knowledge of national research and institutional frameworks is useful for questions on policy formulation, science–policy interface and capacity-building initiatives. It connects to governance, environment, and science & technology sections of the syllabus and helps evaluate domestic vs. international programme roles.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > 23.7.INDIAN NETWORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE ASSESSMENT > p. 309
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > 23.t7,1. Objective > p. 316
CSA is framed around three core goals—raise productivity and incomes, adapt and build resilience, and reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions—which define what climate‑agriculture programmes aim to achieve.
High‑yield for UPSC because understanding CSA objectives helps answer questions on policy design, program evaluation and priorities in agricultural climate action; it connects to topics on food security, sustainable development and mitigation/adaptation trade‑offs and enables comparative policy questions.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Salient Features: > p. 43
KjWA officially recognizes agriculture's role in adaptation and mitigation within international climate negotiations, shaping how agricultural climate programmes engage multilaterally.
Important for UPSC as it links international climate policy to agricultural outcomes and negotiations; mastering this helps answer questions on global governance of agriculture-climate interface and India’s negotiating stances and commitments.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Bonn > p. 333
National research networks coordinate domestic scientific assessment, planning and adaptation strategies for climate impacts on agriculture.
Useful for UPSC because it clarifies institutional capacity for domestic climate science and policy inputs; it connects to governance, science-policy interface, and program implementation questions at national and subnational levels.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > 23.7.INDIAN NETWORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE ASSESSMENT > p. 309
CSA sets India’s priorities for increasing productivity, adapting to climate change, and reducing emissions, which defines the national context for engaging international agricultural research.
High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask about national strategies for climate adaptation in agriculture, linking policy objectives to implementation practices and international cooperation; it connects to topics like sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate policy and enables answers on why research partnerships matter for CSA.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Salient Features: > p. 43
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Some best CSA practices include: > p. 353
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > Mission Objectives > p. 305
The '4 per 1000' Initiative. Since CGIAR is in France, note that France also launched the '4 per 1000' initiative at COP21 to increase soil organic carbon. This is the next logical 'Agri-Climate-France' question.
The 'Specific Non-Obvious' Heuristic. For Statement 2, 'France' is a specific, non-stereotypical location for an agricultural HQ (usually Rome/Geneva). When UPSC provides a specific, non-obvious country in a positive statement about an obscure organization, it is statistically likely to be true. Fabricated options usually default to 'New York', 'Geneva', or 'Washington'.
Mains GS-3 (Agriculture): Use 'Climate-Smart Villages' (CSV) as a concrete example of 'International Cooperation in Technology Transfer'. It shows how global R&D (CGIAR) translates to local adaptation (Haryana stubble management).