“Utilization of ex situ collections and climate analogues for enhancing adaptive capacity to climate change” was conceptualized and implemented to link specific agronomic descriptors and geographic origins of germplasm accessions with current and future environmental data. By effectively accessing and interpreting such information, one could shortlist prospective germplasm accessions that are pre-adapted to predicted changes in climate. This was expected to improve the resilience and capacity of agricultural systems to adapt to environmental changes in India.

The specific objectives of the study were to employ climate analog tools to identify pre-adapted germplasm (value addition to genebank collections) and vulnerable areas (for collection and conservation) in five select crops—wheat, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeon pea and sorghum. The methodology comprised geo-referencing and clustering the accessions, identifying vulnerable areas, designating pre-adapted material, collecting germplasm from predicted sites, and developing database and climate maps.

The project was sponsored by CCAFS consulting contract #4500013658.

CCAFS (Research programme on climate change, agriculture and food security) is a collaborative network among all 15 CGIAR research centers and coordinates with the other CGIAR research programs. CCAFS brings together the world's best researchers in agricultural science, climate science, environmental and social sciences to identify and address the most important interactions, synergies and trade-offs between climate change and agriculture. CCAFS will define and implement a uniquely innovative and transformative research program that addresses agriculture in the context of climate variability, climate change and uncertainty about future climate conditions.

The present study was envisaged because of proactive initiative of Prof. Kailash Bansal, Director (NBPGR). Continuous guidance of Prof. Pramod Aggarwal, CCAFS Regional Program Leader (IWMI, India); handholding of Dr. Prem Mathur, Regional Director (Bioversity International) and technical contributions of Ms. Sarika Mittra are gratefully acknowledged.

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