Title : Climate change and its impact on global agricultural productivity.
Abstract:
Ensuing climate change is one of the most defining problems of the 21st century. Scientific evidence on climate science has been around since 1856, when Eunice Newton Foote published her paper on the greenhouse effects of CO2. Today, climate change is not just a scientific concern but has widespread implications for economies, geopolitics, health and global inequality, and international agricultural productivity, to name a few. Scientific rigour on the accumulation of greenhouse gases and its impact on the global climate has increased manifold. Scientists, in the past and even today, have shared numerous reasons to talk about the potential effects of climate change on agriculture. To begin with, climate change-induced variations in temperature and precipitation have altered the distribution of agro-climatic regions, especially at higher latitudes, which benefit from lengthening growing seasons and shifting crop production polewards. However, other factors such as irrigation use and fertiliser inputs also affect the outcome. In contrast, regions in the lower latitudes, which are already at an optimal temperature for crop cultivation, are likely to suffer from further temperature increase. Next in line, rising carbon dioxide levels are expected to have a positive effect on yields of certain plants such as rice, wheat, and soybean through increased water-use efficiency and photosynthesis. However, the net results might be moderated due to costly pests and weed infestation. Moreover, the nutritional quality of crops is also lowered with high CO2 concentration. Further, agriculture in rain-fed areas suffers due to reduced water availability. This can put additional pressure on aquifer exploitation and put stress on competing water usage (industrial, municipal). It is noticeable that increased frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods and higher variances in temperature and precipitation can exacerbate crop losses. Droughts can put pressure on water usage for crops, while floods or increased precipitation in other regions can lead to soil erosion and leaching of agricultural chemicals into water bodies.
The expected variability in temperature, precipitation, atmospheric carbon content and extreme weather events is going to have a profound effect on crop yields, soils, insects, water availability, pests, diseases and livestock. The overall agriculture system is a complex one, with climate affecting multiple facets of it. Backward and forward linkages from agriculture to poverty reduction, industries, and food security make the assessment of potential impacts on agriculture even more crucial. According to IPCC, global crop and economic models predict a 1-29% increase in cereal prices in 2050 due to climate change, with lowincome consumers at especially high risk. Recent studies have quantified these impacts, revealing that global farming productivity is approximately 21% lower than it could have been without climate change, effectively erasing seven years of progress in agricultural advancements since the 1960s. Projections indicate that, without adaptive measures, rain-fed rice yields in India could decrease by 20% by 2050 and by 47% by 2080, while wheat yields may decline by 19.3% by 2050 and by 40% by 2080, respectively.
Significant efforts are underway in India to develop climate-resilient rice varieties to address the challenges posed by climate change. Between 2014 and 2023, a total of 156 wheat varieties focusing on drought tolerance, flood resistance, and salinity tolerance have been released. However, comprehensive training programmes and adequate financial support are essential to make it successful. KNAM Foods Private Limited embarked on its premium basmati rice exports journey almost a decade ago, and today, the team has elevated KNAM Foods to a preeminent position. They have made sure to mould innovation with a profound reverence for tradition, aiming to establish KNAM Foods as a globally favoured brand. This expels a focus on aiding farmers, remaining true to their origins while incorporating advanced automation in the company’s modern rice milling facilities. In the international rice market, KNAM Foods has become a byword for reliability, driven by a fervent pursuit for excellence and sustainability. The company specialises in diverse authentic basmati rice varieties, including an organic, pesticide-free range with a low glycaemic index, catering to the consumer demand for wholesome, superior products. KNAM Foods, an Indian enterprise, currently operates two state-of-the-art rice factories, with a third facility poised to commence operations soon. Integrating climate-smart agricultural strategies is imperative for KNAM Foods Pvt. Ltd. Implementing practices such as greenhouse farming and optimising supply chains can enhance resilience against climate-induced disruptions. Addressing climate change is an environmental obligation and a strategic necessity to sustain and improve global agricultural productivity. KNAM Foods remains steadfast in its progression towards quality, sustainability, and technological advancement. These support the growing global demand for premium Basmati rice while reflecting its history of innovation and growth.
