The correct answer is: d) All of the above
Climatic variability poses a challenge to horticulture in Tamil Nadu, requiring drought-resistant crop varieties, adaptive farming practices, and weather-based crop insurance.
Drought-resistant crop varieties are essential for ensuring that crops can survive in periods of low rainfall. Adaptive farming practices, such as using drip irrigation and mulching, can help to conserve water and reduce the impact of drought on crops. Weather-based crop insurance can provide financial assistance to farmers who suffer crop losses due to drought.
In addition to these measures, it is also important to raise awareness of the risks of climate change and to educate farmers about the best practices for adapting to its impacts. This can be done through government programs, non-governmental organizations, and agricultural extension services.
By taking these steps, we can help to ensure that horticulture in Tamil Nadu remains resilient in the face of climate change.
Here are some additional details about each of the options:
- Drought-resistant crop varieties are crops that have been bred to be able to withstand periods of low rainfall. They often have deep roots that can reach down to water tables, or they have leaves that are able to conserve water. Drought-resistant crop varieties can help to ensure that farmers can still produce crops even in years when there is less rainfall than usual.
- Adaptive farming practices are methods of farming that are designed to reduce the impact of climate change on crops. They can include things like using drip irrigation, mulching, and crop rotation. Adaptive farming practices can help farmers to save water, reduce soil erosion, and improve crop yields.
- Weather-based crop insurance is a type of insurance that protects farmers against losses caused by extreme weather events, such as droughts. Weather-based crop insurance can help farmers to recover from financial losses and to continue farming even in years when there is a drought.