Strengthening Research-Policy Partnerships in the Global South: Insights from Dr. P.K. Mishra

Kozhikode, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : Prime Minister‘s Principal Secretary Dr. P.K. Mishra called for enhanced collaboration between scientific research and evidence-based policymaking to address interconnected challenges such as climate change, agricultural resilience, food security, and nutrition. He made these remarks during the opening session of the 20th annual meeting of the ‘Environment for Development’ network, held virtually from IIM Kozhikode.

Dr. Mishra stressed that climate change should not be viewed solely as an environmental issue. Its impacts extend to agricultural productivity, water availability, food prices, public health, and livelihoods. He emphasized the importance of moving beyond traditional measures of food security, asserting that merely producing enough food is insufficient. Ensuring access to affordable, diverse, and nutritious diets is equally critical, especially as climate-related challenges can affect the availability and pricing of pulses, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and other nutrient-rich foods.

Highlighting the significance of crop diversification, Dr. Mishra referenced the Prime Minister’s initiative that led the United Nations to declare 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets.’ This initiative has drawn global attention to the nutritional value and environmental sustainability of millets, promoting their adoption as part of diverse and resilient food systems.

He also underscored the need for region-specific climate adaptation strategies. According to assessments conducted under ICAR’s ‘National Innovation in Climate Resilient Agriculture’ (NICRA) program, 310 out of 651 agricultural districts have been classified as ‘highly sensitive’ to climate impacts. This indicates a necessity for tailored actions instead of a one-size-fits-all policy approach.

Dr. Mishra emphasized the importance of data in policymaking, arguing that the focus should not only be on gathering more data but also on ensuring its timely availability, reliability, comparability, and actionable insights. He called for increased use of district-level and detailed data to understand variations in rainfall, water availability, soil conditions, crop performance, and nutritional outcomes.

He advocated for integrating administrative records, household surveys, satellite imagery, and geospatial information, while also ensuring standardization and appropriate safety measures. Strengthening the analytical capacity of state and district-level entities is crucial for utilizing research and data in program implementation, monitoring, and resource allocation.

Referencing India’s climate commitments, Dr. Mishra reiterated the country’s dual objectives of becoming a developed nation by 2047 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. He highlighted India’s focus on maintaining economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving living standards.

He noted that the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2031-2035 further strengthen India’s climate ambitions. Dr. Mishra also emphasized the importance of international research collaboration, pointing out that countries in the Global South face similar challenges related to climate change, pressure on natural resources, shifts in agricultural practices, and nutritional security.

Platforms like the ‘Environment for Development Network’ play a crucial role in connecting academic research with practical policy challenges, promoting knowledge exchange, and enhancing institutional capacities.