Effects of climate change on crops

Climate change is having an impact in all regions. The agriculture sector is no exception to this. Due to the change in climate, the crops cultivated are getting affected a lot. These crops include paddy, wheat, maize, mustard, potato, jowar, cotton, coconut, etc.

According to the reports of the Ministry of Agriculture, the production of wheat may decrease by up to 6,000 kg per degree increase in temperature. The production of paddy can also be reduced by 4 to 6 percent. However, if special attention is paid to paddy cultivation, it is possible to increase its production by 17 to 20 percent due to increase in temperature. Talking about the future, by the year 2050, the production of maize can decrease by 18 percent. Potato production can also be reduced by up to 6 percent. Climate change is also beneficial for some crops. Soybean production is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2030 to 2028. The production of coconut can also increase in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra.

The impact of climate change is not limited to crop yields alone. This is also affecting the quality of crops adversely. Due to the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, there can be a decrease in the amount of nutrients like protein, zinc, iron, etc. in crops.

Talking about the reasons for the change in climate, then the burning of stubble is the main reason in this. According to the data given in the reports, 550 to 620 metric tonnes of straw is produced in our country every year. Of which 15.9% is burnt. Paddy, 22 percent wheat and 20 percent sugarcane accounts for 40 percent of the total burning straw. Due to burning of stubble, harmful gases like dioxide, methane and carbon monoxide are released. This gas released from stubble burning is the cause of global warming.

The use of pesticides is also very harmful to the environment. Pesticides contain many harmful chemicals which cause soil pollution as well as air pollution and water pollution. To avoid these problems, adopting the method of organic farming will prove beneficial.

Many benefits of organic farming

Nitrogen is found in abundance in organic fertilizers. Therefore, there is no need to give nitrogen rich fertilizers to the farmers. In this way the expenditure on fertilizers also comes down.
The water holding capacity of the soil increases.
The quality of crops is better.
There is no bad effect on our health either.

Keeping in mind the effects of climate change in the yield and quality of crops, we should promote organic farming.