Climate change is significantly impacting agriculture in India, particularly for rice and wheat farmers facing unpredictable weather patterns. Research institutions are developing climate-resilient seeds to ensure better yields and food security. However, the distribution of these seeds and support for farmers remains crucial for long-term success, as underscored by the insights of various agricultural experts.

In India, one of the largest producers and consumers of staple crops such as wheat and rice, extreme weather events due to climate change are severely impacting agriculture. Farmers in regions like Rayanpet, a village in southern India, face unprecedented challenges, with unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures disrupting traditional farming patterns. Former soldier and farmer P. Ravinder Reddy shared his experiences, stating, “We used to know when it would rain and for how long and we sowed our seeds accordingly. Now it’s so unpredictable and many times the seeds don’t sprout either because there’s too much rain or it’s completely dry.” To combat these climate-related difficulties, agricultural research institutions in India have devoted efforts towards developing seeds that can endure these changes. Reddy has been experimenting with new rice varieties designed to withstand harsh conditions, reporting that these seeds yield better results with reduced water requirements and improved disease resistance. He noted, “I have planted them across a quarter of my 25-acre field because there’s still demand for older varieties but I think in a few years, we will use only these tougher seeds.” Research initiatives are critical as India grapples with the pressing need for climate-resilient crops to ensure food security, particularly in light of a recent United Nations report indicating that over 700 million people faced hunger last year. Climate change has increasingly threatened the livelihoods of India’s approximately 120 million farmers, inspiring some to adopt natural farming techniques, though these often result in lower yields. Agricultural experts highlight that new seed varieties are essential to address challenges such as rising salinity in groundwater, fluctuating rainfall patterns, and increased pest infestations. Ashok Kumar Singh, a former director at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, emphasized the urgency of these efforts, stating, “We really need these seeds to deal with these multiple issues created by global warming.” Singh’s institute has developed over 2,000 climate-resilient seed varieties in recent years, supported by federal funding. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced 109 climate-resilient seed varieties across various crop categories, reflecting the government’s commitment to enhancing agricultural resilience. Janila Pasupuleti from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics highlighted the integrative approach of breeding seeds that resist multiple stress factors while improving nutritional quality. However, ensuring these seeds reach farmers remains paramount. Aditi Mukherji, an expert in climate adaptation at the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, pointed out that the success of India’s green revolution in the 1960s was largely due to effective distribution and support services from government bodies. Increased funding for agricultural research, akin to at least 1% of agricultural GDP, is essential to sustain this momentum. As Reddy prepares for the winter sowing season, he expresses hope for broader adoption of climate-resilient seeds, emphasizing the need for government intervention in securing fair crop prices post-harvest, stating, “If the government can also make sure we get good prices for our crops after harvest, that would help farmers like us a great deal.”

The article discusses the challenges posed by climate change to agriculture in India, particularly focusing on staple crops like rice and wheat. It highlights the efforts by farmers and research institutions to develop and adopt climate-resilient seeds that can withstand extreme weather conditions, a necessity as erratic rainfall and rising temperatures threaten food security. The article draws attention to the alarming rate of hunger globally and the urgent need for adaptive agricultural practices to sustain the livelihoods of millions of farmers in India.

In conclusion, the ongoing climate crisis necessitates the innovation of climate-resilient agricultural practices and seed varieties to secure food production in India. As exemplified by farmers like P. Ravinder Reddy, the adoption of these new seeds offers a promising pathway to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. Nevertheless, for these initiatives to achieve their full potential, it is imperative that access to these seeds and the necessary training for farmers is prioritized, along with robust state support to ensure fair market conditions.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com