Indian Agriculture Needs to Adapt to Climate Variability

Climate change has posed the human race with the most daunting challenge not just in India but across the globe. There is a scientific consensus about rising temperatures and increasing weather variability which has already started impacting the agriculture sector and is more likely to worsen.

From the days of food scarcity in the mid 1960's to the present more than satisfactory production level of good grains India has come a long way. However, with the global warming and the frequent recurring natural disasters like drought, floods, hails, cyclones have been the cause of hardship and farm distress.

It is quite challenging feeding a growing population like that of India and with the constant climate changes it is high time serious measures backed by suitable policies and scientific interventions are adopted for Indian Agriculture to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Studies have shown that there will be agricultural decline with climate change and it has already been proven that with the rise in 1 degree centigrade temperature the wheat production took a beating of 4 to 5 MMT in wheat production. It has also been found that the quality of Basmati rice has been adversely impacted due to the rise in temperature.

It is time to take cognizance of the situation and mobilize the Gram Panchayats for adapting agriculture to climate variability. It is imperative to switch to sustainable agriculture that will protect the environment. As the ecosystems are being degrading at an alarming rate, natural resources are shrinking affecting the lives of people who are living below the poverty lines.

By: Madhuchanda Saxena

Content: https://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/voices/climate-proofing-indian-agriculture/