Transforming the rice–wheat system in India for climate resilience, resource-use efficiency, and food security

Abstract

The rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) of the Indo-Gangetic Plains is fundamental to India’s food and nutritional security, accounting for a substantial share of national rice and wheat production while sustaining the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. However, decades of intensive cultivation have led to groundwater depletion, soil degradation, declining factor productivity, residue burning, greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing climate vulnerability. This review synthesizes recent advances in technologies, management practices, and institutional innovations for the sustainable transformation of the RWCS. It examines the major biophysical, socio-economic, and policy constraints limiting system performance. The greatest gains in productivity, profitability, resource-use efficiency, and environmental performance arise from integrated production systems that combine improved genetics, conservation agriculture, precision resource management, mechanization, digital technologies, and supportive institutions and policies. Future priorities should focus on scaling proven innovations through efficient seed and machinery delivery systems, climate-smart extension, digital decision support, climate finance, and coordinated water–energy–food governance. Long-term system research integrating agronomic, environmental, economic, and social dimensions will be essential for developing location-specific solutions and informing evidence-based policy. An integrated system approach offers the strongest pathway for enhancing climate resilience, improving resource-use efficiency, reducing environmental footprints, and securing India’s future food and nutritional security.