Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture: The Silent Struggle of Indian Farmers

Table of Contents

• Agriculture & Climate Change – Introduction
• What is ‘Climate Change’?
• What are the Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture?
• Impact on Crop Cycles & Crop Yield
• Extreme Climate Events
• Water Scarcity
• Soil Degradation
• Increased Pest & Disease Attack
• Sustainable Strategies to Help Combat Climate Change
• Transitioning to Renewable Energy
• Carbon Sequestration
• Precision Farming
• Agroforestry
• Climate Resilient Crop Varieties
• Government Initiatives & Schemes to Tackle Climate Change
• The Future of Agriculture & Climate Change

Agriculture & Climate Change - Introduction

In India, agriculture is one of the most important sources of livelihood for millions of people. According to government data, over 50 per cent of the population in the country depend on agriculture and allied industries (poultry and dairy farming, fisheries, food processing etc.) for employment. This highlights how farming contributes to nations food security which in turn helps fuel the country’s economy. A major phenomenon that has changed the course of farming scenario in recent years is Climate change. It has brought unpredictable weather changes and altered crop cycles drastically. One report suggests that global food yields could decline by as much as 30% by 2050 if farmers aren’t able to adapt to the effects of climate change. Therefore, it becomes imperative to understand climate change and find strategic solutions that could mitigate its effects for a sustainable and secure future.

What is ‘Climate Change?’

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in average temperatures and weather patterns on earth. While natural factors such as changes in solar activity can contribute to climate variations, the changes observed since the mid-20^th century are mainly driven by human activities. Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and trap heat. This results in global warming and more extreme weather events.

What are the Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture?

Agriculture and Climate are intricately connected. Most farming practices are primarily dependent on climatic factors like temperature and rainfall for high crop yield. However, changes in temperature and adverse climate events such as droughts, floods, and heat waves disrupt crop production. They also have devastating impacts on livelihoods and food security. Here are some of the ways climate change has affected agriculture and farming:

Impact on Crop Cycles & Crop Yield

Global climate change has wide-ranging and complex effects on crop production cycles and crop yield. Firstly, climate warming has led to a general reduction in the growing period of crops, accompanied by increased temperature fluctuations, which has resulted in inadequate nutrient accumulation in crops. Crop growth cycles are heavily influenced by changes in the lower amount of sunlight received which can restrict crop growth. Furthermore, climate change can also affect the flowering and grain-filling periods of crops. In addition to that, elevated temperatures also increase exacerbate water evaporation, leading to soil dryness and water scarcity, which adversely affects crop yield. 

Extreme Climate Events

Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events including storms, floods, and droughts. Droughts can destroy crops and decrease water supplies, which makes irrigation difficult. Whereas floods and heavy rains can damage soil structure, wash away topsoil ( known as soil erosion), and lead to waterlogged fields. It can lead to extensive crop damage or even complete crop failure. Moreover, extreme weather events may also disrupt agricultural infrastructure, increasing the cost of agricultural production. The impacts of extreme weather events are also extensive and diverse, with the most severely affected sectors being fruits, vegetables, and livestock production.

Water Scarcity

Water resources around the world have become vulnerable to climate change. This kind of water crisis could have a wide range of effects on human society and the ecosystem. Global warming over several decades has been linked to changes in the large-scale water cycle, such as increasing atmospheric water vapor content, changing precipitation patterns, widespread melting of ice, and changes in soil moisture. Drought-prone regions such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and parts of Madhya Pradesh are especially vulnerable. Reduced water availability also affects livestock and dairy production.

Soil Degradation

The rise in temperature and alterations in precipitation patterns pose a threat to soil fertility and biodiversity, thereby exacerbating soil salinization issues. Additionally, extreme weather events such as floods and droughts can also lead to soil fertility reduction, and elevated temperatures can accelerate the decomposition of soil organic matter, resulting in nutrient loss from the soil.

Increased Pests & Disease Attack

Warmer climates create favourable breeding ground for pests and plant diseases. For example, the incidences of pests like the brown planthopper in rice fields and the pink bollworm in cotton have been linked to rising temperatures and humidity. Farmers are forced to invest more in pest management and crop protection, adding to production costs and reducing overall farm profitability.

Sustainable Strategies to Combat Climate Change

Addressing this issue of climate change requires a comprehensive approach which includes reforms in energy systems, agricultural methods and land management, to collectively build a future that is resilient to climate challenges:

Transitioning to Renewable Energy

Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal power is one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Solar energy and wind energy can replace fossil fuels at the lowest cost compared to other renewable options.

Carbon Sequestration

Carbon Sequestration Preserving and enhancing natural ‘carbon sinks’ – such as forests, wetlands and oceans – play an important role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Reforestation, protecting existing forests, restoring degraded ecosystems, and promoting soil health are essential measures to strengthen the carbon sequestration capacity.

Precision Farming

Precision farmers use IoT sensors, GPS technology, and satellite monitoring to optimize water, fertilizer and pesticide applications, reducing waste and environmental impact.

Agroforestry

Agroforestry is the purposeful Integration of trees and shrubs into crop and livestock systems. This type of regenerative agriculture practice helps enhance biodiversity, improves soil health, promotes carbon sequestration, and acts as windbreaks that protect crops from extreme weather.

Crop Insurance

Seeing how climate change has affected the agriculture sector, it is becoming ever more important for farmers to safeguard their livelihoods against the unpredictability of climate change. One of the most common methods available for preventing financial risks is crop insurance. Crop insurance helps farmers recover from climate-related losses by providing compensation for damaged or lost crops. Investing in comprehensive crop insurance plans can help farmers continue their operations even in the face of adversity.

Climate Resilient Crop Varieties

Developing and adopting drought-resistant, heat-tolerant and early maturing crop varieties helps farmers maintain stable yields despite changing weather patterns. Since 2014, 1888 climate resilient varieties have been supporting farmers in adapting to climate change.

Government Initiatives & Schemes to Tackle Climate Change

The growing concern around climate change and its far-reaching effects on agriculture has led Government of India to acknowledge the gravity of this issue. Using crop simulation models and projected climate scenarios for 2050 and 2080, these studies reveal alarming trends: rainfed rice yields could decline by up to 20% in 2050 and 47% in 2080, irrigated rice fields by 3.5% in 2050 and 5% in 2080, wheat by 19.3% in 2050 and 40% in 2080, and kharif maize by 18% and 23% in 2050 and 2080, respectively, if adaptive measures are not implemented.

In response, initiatives like the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and the flagship NICRA project by ICAR aim to build resilience through climate-smart technologies, improved crop varieties, and region-specific strategies. The main areas covered are:

(i) identifying the most vulnerable districts/regions.

(ii) evolving crop varieties and management practices for adaptation and mitigation.

(iii) assessing climate change impact on livestock, fisheries and poultry and identifying adaptation strategies.

Other initiatives like the Clean Plant Program and PM-PRANAM incentivize states to promote organic and bio-fertilizers while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

The Future of Agriculture & Climate Change

At present, climate change is a critical global issue. It poses a threat to millions of farmers across the world. Therefore, in order to effectively address this issue, it is important to build resilience through innovation, adaptation and sustainable practices. Farmers, researchers, and policymakers must work together to promote climate smart technologies and long-term strategies that can offer a sustainable solution to this problem. By combining traditional knowledge with modern advancements, India can secure agricultural sustainability for the future.