Climate Change Batters Agriculture

ENVIRONMENT

Indian farmers have used a number of gradual and methodical adaptation tactics. Farmers are changing land usage, resource and labour ratios, occupational patterns, and agricultural methods. These adjustments are also prevalent.

Climate change has had a negative impact on India's agriculture. The need of the hour is to formulate a proper agriculture policy in which farmers are given incentives to adapt to climate change as well as increased investment in R & D to produce seeds resistant to climate change so that the agricultural produce is not affected

In the past three decades, India's mean temperature and extreme rainfall occurrences have risen, both markers of climate change. The number of vital crops produced changes from year to year.

Why and how climate affects the farming practice?

Climate change and agriculture are interconnected global processes. Temperature, precipitation, and glacier runoff will likely be considerably impacted by global warming. These parameters influence whether or not the biosphere has the capacity to generate adequate food for humans and other animals that have been domesticated. Both detrimental and beneficial effects on agricultural output could result from an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

An investigation of climate change's effects on farming could help predict and adapt farming practises to maximise agricultural productivity. Even though climate change's overall effect on agricultural productivity is hard to forecast, it will almost certainly modify crop growth zones. This transformation will require financial and social adjustments.

Agriculture affects climate change. Agriculture emits greenhouse gases. Agriculture releases ammonia, nitrate, phosphorus, and other poisons through tilling, fertilisation, and pesticide use. Agriculture changes the soil's ability to absorb or reflect heat and light, causing "radiative forcing." Deforestation, desertification, and fossil fuel combustion cause manmade CO2. Agricultural practises are causing methane and nitrogen oxide levels to rise.

Most methane comes from livestock, especially ruminants like cattle and pigs. Fish and birds have a far smaller environmental impact. Attempts are being made to reduce ruminant emissions. Biogas from manure is one technique; others include genetic selection, immunisation, etc.

Climate change is hurting India's agriculture. To address these difficulties, policymakers should focus on farmers' attitudes toward rapidly changing climatic conditions and encourage them to adapt. Meteorologists say most Indian farmers have seen rising temperatures and irregular rains.

Indian farmers have used a number of gradual and methodical adaptation tactics. Farmers are changing land usage, resource and labour ratios, occupational patterns, and agricultural methods. These adjustments are also prevalent.

Factors such as household income, farm size, gender, and resource endowment, as well as a lack of information and credit at the correct moment, affect the rate at which people adopt adaptation strategies. Large-scale investments in India's agricultural industry may be necessary to prevent potentially harmful outcomes and ensure the sector's long-term viability, as suggested by some. The adoption of an integrated strategy to monitor farmers' perceptions of and adjustments to changing climatic circumstances and the effects of these adaptations is crucial for successful policymaking to attain food security and improve farmers' quality of life.

Temperature fluctuations

The most common perception was rising temperatures. In terms of seasonal warming, farmers have noted an increase in the average summer temperature and the number of exceptionally warm months. Opinions on winter temperature fluctuations were mixed. According to studies, the average winter temperature has risen 4.17 percent while the winter has gotten shorter by 3.13 percent. According to India's farmers, the country's temperature has risen dramatically.

Rainfall shifts perception

Following the rise in temperature, the opinion that the beginning of the monsoon will be delayed and that rainfall will decrease is the second most common one. The decrease in the number of wet days and the increase in the variability of the rainfall caused concern among the farmers. A great number of farmers have been forced to adjust their planting schedules because of the unpredictability of the weather.

Snowfall patterns in the Himalayas are shifting. The months of December and January are no longer the peaks of the snowfall season; today, those months are extended to February and March. Many people in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand have noticed a decrease in snowfall.

Estimating other meteorological variables shifts

In addition to temperature and precipitation fluctuations, high winds, heat waves, cloudiness, and sun exposure can harm crops. If farmers understood these developments, they could adapt better. Farmers' impressions of changes in other MVs, such as strong wind patterns, wind warming, and a decrease in cloudy days.

Climate Change

Heat Warning: The abnormal jump in 2022 temperatures affected plants, fruits, vegetables, and animals. Heatwaves damaged the wheat harvest in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Abundant Rain: Heavy rains right before harvesting destroyed important summer-sown crops in India, including rice, soybeans, cotton, pulses, and vegetables. Late and severe rains have damaged ginger and other forest foods in Meghalaya.

Drought: According to the data, India is one of the most drought-affected countries.Over two-thirds of the country was drought-stricken in 2020–2022. According to multiple reports, India's drought-prone territory has increased by 57 per cent since 1997.

Storm: Heavy rains from a cyclone damage crops and vegetables in major growing regions just before harvest.

Climate change impacts:

Changing weather patterns pose huge challenges for farmers across the country. Crop productivity drops because climate change will likely reduce crop productivity in various locations in the 21st century.Higher temperatures reduce crop output and spread weeds and pests.Climate change can harm irrigated agricultural yields in all agro ecological zones due to rising temperatures and shifting water supplies.

Rising costs: Climate change disrupts weather patterns, affecting 55 per cent of the country's inflation basket.March's heatwave destroyed the wheat crop.Despite export bans, wheat prices rose 19 per cent.

Steps to improve the situation:

Short-Term Steps

Increase the coverage provided by PM Kisan's climate insurance.

It is the responsibility of insurance carriers to pay crop value.

Reporting of incidents to insurance carriers in a reliable manner. The farmer should affirm that there was an inspection.

Long-term strategies

Put an end to the model known as the "Green rRvolution."

It ensures adaptation to the effects of climate change as well as nutritional security.

Research and development on climate-resilient agriculture.

Additional funding is required for R&D

• Raise the level of participation from the private sector.

• It is important for the government to encourage private seed distribution.

• Invite Indian businesses to speed up research and development on climate resilience.

• Developing seeds that are climate resistant

• Promote interactions between different cultural groups.

• Monoculture is not encouraged in this society.

• The practise of organic farming is supported. This will result in reduced expenditures for subsidies and an improvement in the quality of food. Increasing investments in organic farming and marketing is another important step.

Prioritise natural climate change strategies

The government ought to encourage the cultivation of crops that are only suitable for certain zones. Seeds and technology that are patent-free and resistant to climate change should be used.

Conclusion: We need a strategy for environmentally responsible agriculture that places a high priority on climate adaptation in order to lessen the negative effects that climate change will have on agricultural production. This will allow us to lessen the impact that climate change will have on our ability to produce food.

Also Read: Exploring Mesmerising Meghalaya

Also Watch: