Heatwaves Pose Serious Threat to Indian Agriculture and Rice Production
A new report warns that rising temperatures will significantly impact Indian agriculture and rice production, particularly affecting workers in key areas like the Indo-Gangetic plains. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) highlighted these concerns in their joint study titled “Extreme Heat and Agriculture.”
According to the report, by the end of the century, labor productivity in some of the most affected regions could drop to below 40% due to extreme heat. The risks of heatwaves are highest in densely populated agricultural regions around the Ganges and Indus river basins.
As India gears up for a potentially challenging monsoon season, complicated by the El Niño weather phenomenon expected to develop around July, these findings are particularly concerning.
To adapt and maintain rice production, farmers are exploring various strategies. Some of these include planting rice varieties that bloom earlier in the day, adjusting sowing times, and breeding plants that can withstand heat better. Additionally, using irrigation could provide local cooling benefits.
Rice is a crucial crop in India, as it accounts for 70% of the population’s caloric intake, and the summer monsoon delivers approximately 80% of the country’s annual rainfall. The report mentions that past monsoon seasons have faced severe challenges, with significant droughts occurring in years like 2002, which resulted in economic losses and affected over a billion people.
Despite India’s self-sufficiency in grain production, the effects of extreme weather remain a major threat. A separate report from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research stated that March and April 2022 were the hottest months in India’s history, with temperatures soaring well above average and rainfall drastically below normal. This combination of high temperatures and low rainfall has had a damaging impact on crops, livestock, and the overall agricultural landscape across northern and central India.
The relationship between labor productivity and crop yields is emphasized in the new report, noting that extreme heat impacts not just plants, but the workers tending to them as well. Past studies often overlooked how heat affects labor, which is crucial to farming success in developing nations.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo pointed out that extreme heat can magnify existing vulnerabilities in agricultural systems, creating even more significant challenges for farmers. The report stresses the need for innovative approaches to adapt to these changing climate conditions—like selecting heat-resistant crops, adjusting planting schedules, and improving overall management practices.
As the world faces the realities of climate change, it is vital for India to develop strategies to safeguard its agricultural systems against the ongoing threat of heatwaves.
