In recent years, research has begun to illuminate the far-reaching impacts of climate change on India’s vital agricultural sector. A study conducted in Maharashtra’s drought-prone Jalna district sought to understand how different interventions bolster the climate resilience of farming systems.
The Study and Its Key Findings
This study, which was published in the International Journal of Water Resources Development, examined the effects of various agricultural development interventions over a 15-year span in two semi-arid villages: Babai and Deulgaon Tad. The villages represent two distinct farming systems. In Babai, interventions aimed to enhance agricultural productivity and irrigation infrastructure. In contrast, initiatives in Deulgaon Tad strived to build adaptive capacities while also improving agricultural productivity.
The research revealed that watershed development interventions led to intensified agriculture and modified cropping patterns. However, these methods resulted in declining groundwater tables and deteriorating soil health over time. Traditional agricultural development pathways seemed to have limited success in these semi-arid regions. Further, the study showed improved climate resilience indicators when productivity-enhancing strategies were coupled with water management, soil health preservation, livelihood diversification, and ensuring food and nutrition security. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptive decision-making emerged as crucial for enhancing resilience.
In 2007, Babai demonstrated better water resources resulting in higher resilience as compared to Deulgaon Tad. This resilience was linked to access to sufficient water year-round and superior soil quality. There was no significant change in Babai’s overall resilience over the years, according to the research. On the other hand, Deulgaon Tad, which had lower resilience in 2007, displayed improvements across all resilience dimensions due to interventions focusing on adaptive capacities and natural resource management.
Impacts of Climate Change on Indian Agriculture
Climate change has several implications for Indian agriculture. It alters rainfall patterns, affects timing, intensity, and distribution of rain, which may result in droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall, all of which can negatively impact agricultural productivity. Increased temperatures can cause adverse effects on crop growth and development, decreasing crop yields and reducing the nutritional value of crops. For instance, in 2019, India experienced delayed and deficient monsoon rains, leading to reduced crop yields in many regions.
Shifting Pest and Disease Patterns
Climate change also influences the distribution and abundance of pests and diseases, creating challenges for agricultural pest management. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can facilitate the spread of certain pests and diseases, negatively impacting crop health. An example is the increased incidence of pests like the pink bollworm that has affected cotton production in India.
Water Scarcity and Cropping Pattern Changes
Climate change impacts water availability in regions relying on rainfall or snowmelt for irrigation. Altered precipitation patterns and melting glaciers can cause water scarcity, particularly during vital crop growth stages. This can lead to decreased agricultural productivity and intensify competition for water resources. Additionally, climate change can influence the suitability of different crops in specific regions. As temperature and rainfall patterns shift, farmers may need to adapt their cropping patterns to maintain productivity.
Increased Extreme Weather Events
Moreover, climate change has been linked to an increase in extreme weather events such as cyclones, storms, and hailstorms. These events can cause considerable damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure, leading to yield losses and economic hardship for farmers.
The Way Forward: Input Intensive to Knowledge Intensive Agriculture
With its diverse farming practices, India needs to engage multiple viewpoints in a national-level dialogue to find appropriate solutions for the future. The advanced world is moving towards precision farming using sensors and other scientific tools. Smart and precise high-tech farming in India can reduce average costs, increase farmers’ income, and tackle many other challenges of scale.
Intercropping, Agroforestry, and Climate-Smart Water Management
Growing different crops together in the same field or integrating trees with crops can greatly enhance biodiversity, decrease soil erosion, and boost climate resilience. Furthermore, promoting the cultivation of non-traditional crops that are more resilient to climate extremes can lower dependence on a single crop and mitigate risks. Efficient water management is crucial for climate resilience in agriculture, especially in water-stressed regions. Hence, implementing climate-smart water management practices can boost agricultural productivity while conserving precious water resources.
