Global Rice News

Climate Change and Its Impact on Indian Agricultural Sector

A erratic monsoon season and the subsequent decrease in farm output have posed significant challenges to sustainable agriculture in India. As a result, the country’s agriculture sector growth rate declined to 1.2% in the July-September quarter. Below-normal monsoon rainfall has led to moisture deficiency in the soil and reduced water storage in reservoirs, further exacerbating the situation. The decline in production has raised concerns about overall food production in the future, particularly for crops such as wheat and pulses.

Policymakers and the scientific community are now focused on developing dynamic response strategies to address the complex issue of climate change. Rain-fed agriculture in several states is still heavily dependent on monsoon rainfall, making it crucial to mitigate the impact of climate change. While there has been a decline in rabi acreage, officials in the agriculture ministry anticipate that the gap can be narrowed in the coming weeks. They expect the overall sown areas for rabi crops to reach the average levels of the last five years.

The reduced acreage for pulses is attributed to delayed harvesting of kharif crops, like paddy, and a trend towards crop diversification. However, there is some consolation in the fact that the acreage for oilseeds, including mustard and rapeseeds, has increased this year. Higher oilseed production helps reduce the country’s import bill for edible oils and contributes to enhancing self-sufficiency in this sector.

Securing Foodgrain Output with Balancing Crop Diversification

Securing a robust foodgrain output in the upcoming season will require a balance between crop diversification and addressing moisture deficit. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has already introduced climate-resilient seed varieties and technologies to tackle extreme weather conditions. Over 1,800 climate-resilient seed varieties and 68 location-specific climate-resilient technologies have been developed and demonstrated for wider adoption among farming communities.

Impact on Agricultural Exports

India is the world’s second-largest producer of wheat, rice, and sugar. However, the country has been forced to restrict exports of these commodities to control rising domestic prices. As a result, food availability in other countries has also been affected. This year, India’s agricultural exports are expected to decline by $4 billion to $5 billion. Nevertheless, senior government officials are optimistic that the growth in exports of other farm commodities will offset this deficit. Despite the restrictions on certain agricultural exports, other food exports have been growing by over four percent.

Data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) reveals an increase in exports of meat and dairy products, cereal preparations, and fruits and vegetables between April and November this year.

Challenges & Unforeseen Consequences

Climate change has not only impacted production but also triggered unseasonal rains that damaged crops. Floods or heavy rainfall affected around 868,000 hectares of crop area across states in India. Moreover, the deficiency in rainfall has led to a decrease in water storage in the country’s reservoirs, which are crucial for irrigation in the next agricultural season. Currently, water storage in reservoirs is approximately 75% of last year’s levels, which could impact agricultural output in the upcoming rabi season.

In conclusion, climate change has emerged as a formidable challenge for sustainable agriculture in India. It has led to a decline in farm output, restricted exports, and affected water availability. However, policymakers and the scientific community are actively working towards developing strategies to mitigate the impact and ensure a robust foodgrain output in the future.

Source: Lokmat Times