India has always been known as an agrarian country — where nearly 60% of the population directly or indirectly depends on agriculture for their livelihood. But today, our farmers are facing a silent yet powerful threat: climate change.
From unpredictable rainfall patterns to scorching heatwaves, the face of Indian agriculture is changing — and not for the better. This shift is not just affecting crops, but also the lives of millions who depend on the land to survive.
Unpredictable Weather: A Farmer’s Nightmare
Traditionally, India’s agriculture has thrived on predictable seasonal patterns. The monsoon — our lifeline — determines the success or failure of crops. But in recent years, we’ve seen delayed rains, early withdrawal of monsoons, and unexpected floods destroy crops that took months of hard work.
Take the example of Vidarbha in Maharashtra, a region already infamous for farmer suicides. Climate irregularities here have worsened the crisis. Prolonged droughts have dried up rivers, while unseasonal rains in March have ruined standing crops like wheat and pulses, crushing both hope and harvest.
Rising Temperatures and Crop Yields
According to reports by the Indian Meteorological Department, India’s average temperature has increased by about 0.7°C in the past century — and it’s only going higher. Crops like wheat, which are sensitive to temperature, are witnessing lower yields. A mere 1-2°C rise during the grain-filling period can reduce wheat production by up to 6 million tonnes annually.
Other temperature-sensitive crops like rice, mustard, and sugarcane are also suffering. The heatwaves in Punjab and Haryana in 2022, for instance, led to stunted wheat growth, forcing the government to revise production estimates downward.
Water scarcity is another major concern linked to climate change. With glaciers melting in the Himalayas and irregular rainfall patterns, the water levels in our major rivers are becoming increasingly unpredictable.
At the same time, flash floods have become more common in states like Assam and Bihar, destroying large areas of standing crops. In contrast, Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh is suffering from repeated droughts, leading to mass migration and severe rural distress.
This extreme imbalance in water availability affects not just agriculture but also food security in India.
When we think of agriculture, crops often take the spotlight. But India’s agriculture also thrives on livestock and fisheries.
Rising temperatures and heatwaves lead to a drop in milk production. Cattle are more prone to heat stress, which also affects their reproductive cycles. Meanwhile, fish breeding cycles and aquatic biodiversity are being altered due to warming waters and increased salinity, especially in coastal regions like Kerala and Odisha.
With climate conditions changing, the traditional crop zones in India are slowly shifting. Areas that were once known for certain crops may no longer be suitable in the next decade.
For example, states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, once known as the rice bowl of India, are now facing reduced water availability and erratic rainfall. This forces farmers to either shift to less water-intensive crops or rely heavily on groundwater — which is also depleting.
Climate change doesn’t just impact yields; it hits farmers where it hurts the most — their pockets. Lower productivity means lower income, and sometimes even total crop failure can lead to debt traps. According to NABARD, more than 70% of Indian farmers still rely on the monsoon for irrigation. When the rains fail, so does the entire economic cycle in rural India.
In 2023, unseasonal rains and hailstorms in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh damaged rabi crops, prompting the state governments to announce compensation packages. But such short-term relief does not fix the long-term issue.
Thankfully, the situation is not entirely bleak. The government, along with private organizations and farmer collectives, is working on climate-resilient farming practices.
- Climate-resilient seeds: Research institutes like ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) are developing seeds that can withstand heat, floods, and droughts.
- Crop diversification: Encouraging farmers to grow crops that require less water, such as millets and pulses, especially in drought-prone areas.
- Micro-irrigation: Drip and sprinkler irrigation systems are being promoted to save water and reduce dependency on erratic rainfall.
Kisan Credit Cards and Crop Insurance: These financial tools help reduce the economic risk and provide some cushion during natural calamities.
As citizens, even if we aren’t directly connected to farming, we have a role to play. Supporting local produce, being conscious about food wastage, and spreading awareness about climate change can go a long way.
The future of Indian agriculture depends on a collaborative effort — where policy, innovation, and public support come together to create sustainable and resilient food systems.
Climate change is real. And its impact on Indian agriculture is both immediate and long-lasting. It’s not just about crops and weather — it’s about the lives, dreams, and futures of millions of Indian farmers.
To secure food for tomorrow, we must act today — with awareness, adaptability, and empathy.
