Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices in the Indo-gangetic Plain: A Micro-level Cost-benefit Perspective

Aims: This study assesses the economic rationality of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices implemented by cultivators in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) region of India. Despite the growing body of international literature, the economic feasibility of CSA practices in the Indian IGP context remains underexplored. Methodology: The analysis is based on primary data collected in 2024, from a survey of 400 randomly selected farmers across five districts in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Results: The findings indicate a high level of awareness and widespread adoption of CSA practices among the respondents. The empirical estimates derived from the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) and Net Present Value (NPV) analyses suggest that, with the exception of conventional fertilizer application and Site-Specific Integrated Nutrient Management (SSINM), all assessed Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) interventions exhibit positive net economic returns and satisfy the threshold criteria for financial viability. Conclusion: These findings underscore the critical role of CSA in enhancing farm-level resilience and agricultural productivity under changing climatic conditions.