Q.4 - Climate Change Impact on Agriculture

4 16 Marks

Evaluate the impact of climate change on Indian agriculture. What adaptive strategies are essential to mitigate the effects of climate change on rural communities?

Answer: Climate Change Impact on Indian Agriculture & Adaptive Strategies

India's agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its dependence on monsoons, diverse agro-climatic zones, and the predominance of small and marginal farmers. Agriculture employs ~42% of the workforce and contributes ~18% to GDP, making climate adaptation crucial for food security and rural livelihoods.

Part A: Impact of Climate Change on Indian Agriculture (8 Marks)

1. Temperature Rise Effects

Crop Yield Reduction: Every 1°C rise reduces wheat yield by 4-6%, rice by 6-8%
Heat Stress: Affects flowering and grain filling stages
Growing Season Changes: Shorter crop duration, early maturity
Thermal Limits: Many crops have optimal temperature ranges; exceeding these reduces productivity

2. Rainfall Pattern Changes

Erratic Monsoons: Delayed onset, early withdrawal, uneven distribution
Droughts: More frequent dry spells in rainfed areas (60% of India's agriculture)
Floods: Intense rainfall events causing waterlogging, crop damage
Monsoon Variability: Affects sowing, irrigation planning

3. Water Scarcity

Groundwater Depletion: Increased irrigation demand, falling water tables
Himalayan Glacier Melt: Affects Ganga, Indus river systems long-term
Irrigation Stress: Reduced water availability during critical growth stages
Competition: Increased water demand from other sectors

4. Extreme Weather Events

Cyclones: Amphan, Tauktae caused massive crop losses
Hailstorms: Damage to standing crops, especially horticulture
Heat Waves: 2022 heat wave reduced wheat yield by 5-10%
Cold Waves: Damage to rabi crops in north India

5. Pest and Disease Incidence

Warmer temperatures expand range of pests and diseases
New pest invasions (e.g., fall armyworm in 2018)
Altered pest cycles and resistance patterns
Increased pesticide requirements

6. Regional Impacts

Region	Key Impact	Affected Crops
Indo-Gangetic Plains	Heat stress, water scarcity	Wheat, Rice
Central India	Drought, erratic rainfall	Soybean, Cotton
Coastal Areas	Cyclones, salinity intrusion	Rice, Fisheries
Western India	Desertification, water stress	Millets, Pulses
Northeast	Floods, landslides	Rice, Tea

Economic Impact: Climate change could reduce agricultural GDP by 1.8-4.1% by 2050. India could lose $7-8 billion annually in agricultural output without adaptation.

Part B: Adaptive Strategies for Rural Communities (8 Marks)

1. Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties

Drought-Tolerant: Rice (Sahbhagi Dhan), Wheat (HD 2967)
Flood-Tolerant: Submergence-tolerant rice (Swarna-Sub1)
Heat-Tolerant: Short-duration varieties that escape heat stress
Salt-Tolerant: Varieties for coastal saline areas
Promote traditional resilient crops: millets, pulses

2. Water Management

Micro-Irrigation: Drip, sprinkler systems (PM-KSY scheme)
Rainwater Harvesting: Farm ponds, check dams, contour bunds
Groundwater Recharge: Percolation tanks, recharge wells
Watershed Development: IWMP, Jal Shakti Abhiyan
Scheduling: Deficit irrigation, critical stage irrigation

3. Modified Agricultural Practices

Crop Diversification: Shift from rice-wheat to include millets, pulses, oilseeds
Crop Calendar Adjustment: Alter sowing dates based on climate forecasts
Conservation Agriculture: Zero tillage, crop residue retention
Organic Farming: Improves soil health and resilience
Integrated Farming: Crop-livestock-fish integration

4. Weather Information and Early Warning

Agromet Advisories: Block-level weather forecasts (IMD-ICAR)
SMS Alerts: Extreme weather warnings to farmers
District Contingency Plans: Pre-planned responses to weather extremes
Kisan Call Centers: Information on climate-smart practices

5. Risk Transfer Mechanisms

Crop Insurance: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Weather-Based Insurance: Automatic payouts based on weather triggers
Livestock Insurance: Coverage for animal losses
Credit Access: Kisan Credit Cards for timely inputs

6. Livelihood Diversification

Allied Activities: Dairy, poultry, fisheries, beekeeping
Agroforestry: Trees on farmland for additional income
MGNREGA: Employment during agricultural lean season
Skill Development: Non-farm employment opportunities

7. Government Programs

Program	Focus Area
NICRA	National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture
NMAET	National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology
NMSA	National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NAPCC)
PM-KUSUM	Solar pumps, reducing diesel dependence

Conclusion

Climate change poses severe threats to Indian agriculture through temperature rise, erratic rainfall, water scarcity, extreme events, and increased pest pressure. The impacts are already visible in reduced yields, crop failures, and farmer distress. Adaptive strategies including climate-resilient varieties, efficient water management, diversified farming, weather services, crop insurance, and livelihood diversification are essential to build resilience. Government programs like NICRA, NMSA, and PMFBY provide the institutional framework. Success requires coordinated action across research institutions, extension services, and farming communities. Adaptation is not optional but imperative for food security and rural livelihood protection in a changing climate.

Sources: Module 1 & 4 Notes | ICAR | NICRA | IPCC | MoAFW

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