IAS Prelims Geography–Environment GQ-6 – 2021 | Climate-Smart Agriculture & Global Institutions
Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk
📍 The Question
In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:
- 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.
- The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
- 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?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
🎯 Theme of the Question
Geography–Environment | Climate Change | Agriculture | Global Research Institutions
This is a current-affairs–linked institutional question, testing awareness of climate adaptation in agriculture and international research frameworks.
🧠 Classroom Explanation
Let us examine each statement one by one.
🔹 Statement 1: Climate-Smart Village approach is led by CCAFS ✅
The Climate-Smart Village (CSV) approach is a flagship field-level initiative under
Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).
- CSVs serve as living laboratories
- Farmers and scientists jointly test:
- Climate-resilient crops
- Water-saving techniques
- Weather-based advisories
- India is one of the major implementing countries
✔️ Statement 1 is correct.
🔹 Statement 2: CCAFS operates under CGIAR headquartered in France ✅
CCAFS is a global research programme under the umbrella of
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
- CGIAR is a global partnership focused on:
- Food security
- Climate resilience
- Sustainable agriculture
- CGIAR headquarters: Montpellier, France
✔️ Statement 2 is correct.
🔹 Statement 3: ICRISAT is a CGIAR research centre ✅
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT):
- Headquartered in Hyderabad, India
- One of the core CGIAR research centres
- Focuses on:
- Semi-arid tropics
- Millets, pulses, oilseeds
- Climate resilience and dryland agriculture
✔️ Statement 3 is correct.
📊 Final Assessment
| Statement | Status |
|---|---|
| 1. CSV approach led by CCAFS | ✅ |
| 2. CCAFS under CGIAR (France HQ) | ✅ |
| 3. ICRISAT is a CGIAR centre | ✅ |
👉 All three statements are correct
👉 Answer: (d)
🧩 Memory Hook
“CSV → CCAFS → CGIAR → ICRISAT (India)”
🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight
UPSC frequently:
- Links climate change + agriculture + institutions
- Tests institutional hierarchy, not just definitions
Always map:
Programme → Parent body → Research centres
🧭 IAS Monk Whisper
When climate shifts the ground,
knowledge must reach the village first.