Navigating Climate Change & Challenges To Food Security

Agriculture is the main occupation for 50 per cent of population in India. Agriculture and allied sectors contribute 15.4 per cent of the Indian GDP. Farming activities are carried out by the selection of crop which is specific to suit climate, soil type, resource availability, etc. Therefore, farming production and productivity is completely dependent on climatic conditions. Weather disruptions, like changes in temperature, precipitation and solar radiation, affect the agriculture ecosystem including livestock, arable and hydrology sectors.

As per the global report prediction, a loss of 10- 40 per cent in crop productivity is estimated for 2100. Around 70 per cent of South Asian people's life is still in rural zones, and of 75 per cent of them are poor. Enhancement of crop productivity is highly necessary for safeguarding the food and national security, particularly the resource-poor who would be the most affected, like small and marginal farmers. According to the fourth assessment report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, crop yield losses as a result of climate change will be more severe in the tropics than in temperate regions. As in any situation of economic imbalance, the poor will be the most affected – losing livelihood opportunities and access to food and water. Many mitigation and adaptation measures are beyond the reach of countries with severe resource constraints.

On effect of Climate change on agriculture Amit Sinha - Co-Founder - Unnati said, the effects of climate change on agriculture depends on the pace and intensity of change and the adaptability of farmers. Climate change can improve or worsen crop farming conditions in different regions. Notably, changes in temperature, rainfall, quantum and quality change growing seasons across regions. However, climate change poses risks, reducing crop yields and destabilizing nutrients. Extreme events such as drought have a significant impact on food and nutrient intake, affecting agriculture and farmers. Climate change has mostly a negative impact leading to reduction in crop output because of changing rainfall patterns, pest and weed patterns shifting, water scarcity and extreme weather conditions like floods and droughts.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) (2018) reports that from 1998 to 2017, disaster-affected nations incurred direct economic losses totalling USD 2908 billion. 77 per cent of the total losses were a result of calamities linked to climate change. The effects of climate change on the agriculture industry have been more noticeable recently. According to the Government of India's 2018 economic report, the negative consequences of climate change cause an estimated yearly loss of USD 9–10 billion.

“Climate change challenges global food security, impacts agricultural production and potentially increases poverty, especially in regions affected by severe weather conditions such as droughts caused by El Niño can have a significant impact on vulnerable groups especially in a country like India. Water-scarce areas will face additional challenges due to climate change, which causes dwindling water supplies, extreme weather events, heat waves and increased prevalence of pests and diseases. Without effective solutions, declining crop yields, particularly in the most food-insecure regions, could plunge large populations below the poverty line,” said Amit.

Sanjay Borkar, CEO and Co-Founder- FarmERP said, implementing climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) is crucial to counter the potential 15-25 per cent reduction in agricultural income due to climate change. Any approach should involve sustainable utilization of natural resources in crop and livestock production systems, aiming for long-term higher productivity and incomes amid climate variabilities. Key strategies include using drought resistant varieties and higher temperature resistant varieties of seeds, optimal usage of chemical and bio-relevant nutrients and crop protection products, effective soil management, efficient water management techniques.

He added, Technologies such as crop diversification and agroforestry are being adopted as these innovations not only mitigate climate risks but also contribute to healthier and more sustainable food sources. Specifically, climate-resilient technologies enable agricultural enterprises to proactively adapt to changing environmental conditions, protect food security and farmers’ livelihoods.

Government of India has formulated schemes/plans to make agriculture more resilient to climate change. The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is one of the missions within the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). The mission aims at evolving and implementing strategies to make Indian agriculture more resilient to the changing climate. To meet the challenges of sustaining domestic food production in the face of changing climate, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India launched a flagship network research project ‘National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture’ (NICRA) in 2011.

The project aims to develop and promote climate resilient technologies in agriculture, which addresses vulnerable areas of the country and the outputs of the project help the districts and regions prone to extreme weather conditions like droughts, floods, frost, heat waves, etc. to cope with such extreme events. Short term and long-term research programs with a national perspective have been taken up involving adaptation and mitigation covering crops, horticulture, livestock, fisheries and poultry.

“In India, the enactment of the National Food Security Act in 2013 guarantees the right to food for a significant portion of the population through subsidized food grains. To effectively address climate-related challenges, the government can enhance this initiative by integrating climate-resilient agricultural practices and technologies. By addressing issues such as the lack of a framework, depleting soil health, and supply chain disruptions, the government can implement policies that foster sustainable farming, soil conservation, and resilient supply chains,” said Sanjay.

He added, internationally, organisations like the World Food Programme and UNICEF collaborate with governments to tackle the impacts of climate change on food security, emphasizing community resilience and nutrition. It is imperative for governments worldwide to prioritize climate-resilient policies to ensure sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.