Barmer, July 21 -- The Barmer district administration has launched a research-backed farming model towards building climate-resilient agriculture in the Thar Desert, in an initiative led by district collector Chinmayee Gopal The model combines improved Khejri plantations, drought-resilient fodder resources, climate-adapted crop varieties and capacity building for farmers to strengthen agricultural productivity while addressing the growing challenges of climate change. As part of the initiative, the district administration will distribute around 7,000 grafted 'Thar Shobha' Khejri saplings developed by the ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur. Unlike traditional Khejri trees, the 'Thar Shobha' variety grows comparatively shorter trees, develops a dense canopy and produces a higher yield of sangri pods. Rainfall in the region is highly erratic, making the district one of the most drought-prone regions in India. Gopal said conserving native species such as Khejri, improving fodder availability, promoting climate-resilient crops and encouraging modern farming practices would strengthen the district's agricultural ecosystem, enhance livestock productivity and improve climate resilience. Dr Archna Verma, scientist at CAZRI, told HT, "Thar Shobha is a vigorous, thornless variety of Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) that is highly tolerant to extreme temperatures above 48degC and as low as -4degC, as well as severe arid conditions. Its exceptional drought tolerance makes it ideal for rain-fed farming in hot arid and semi-arid regions. Even during complete monsoon failure, it provides dependable yields of both fodder and sangri pods. A five-year-old bud-grafted plant can produce approximately 4.25 kg of sangri and 6.25 kg of loong leaves annually under improved cultivation practices." Officials said the Panchayati Raj Department will undertake the plantation drive to conserve and rejuvenate Khejri. In its initial phase, the district administration plans to enrol around 1,000 farmers. Another key intervention is the introduction of 10,000 Thornless Cactus plants for plantation along farm boundaries and field bunds. This marks the first large-scale introduction of the drought-resilient fodder crop in Barmer. Free from thorns and highly nutritious, Thornless Cactus serves as an important source of green fodder during droughts. To encourage crop diversification and create additional income opportunities, selected farmers will be taken on exposure visits to the CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, under the ATMA Project. The programme will provide practical training in the scientific cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops, value addition, processing, marketing and modern agricultural practices....