Foodgrain yields to drop drastically in 13 Karnataka districts: study

BCCI-K study says climate change to hit rice, maize, sorghum, red gram and ragi crops

BENGALURU, DECEMBER 7:  

Adaptation to climate change needs to be distinguished from adaptation to current climate variability in Karnataka, said Bangalore Climate Change Initiative - Karnataka (BCCI-K).

“Adaptation takes the form of adjustments to physical, ecological, and social systems to reduce their vulnerability or to enhance their resilience to current climate risks as well as future climate change,” revealed a study ‘Green Growth Strategy for Karnataka’ by BCCI-K.

Shortfall projection

BCCI-K’s assessment on the impact of climate change on five key crops of Karnataka, based on Infocrop modelling, showed that yields of rice is set to drop along with maize, sorghum, red gram and ragi in 13, 9, 12, 7 and 8 districts respectively, out of 27 districts, by the 2030s.

Also, major rice-growing districts like Mandya, Belagavi, Ballari, the coastal districts, and Shivmogga are expected to witness rice productivity lowered by one per cent to 18 per cent.

In the case of sorghum, the corresponding figures for Haveri and Raichur are 6 per cent to 10 per cent. The red gram yields will be lower by 10 per cent to 38 per cent and those of ragi by 10 per cent to 20 per cent in six districts.

The ‘Green Growth Strategy for Karnataka’ report was prepared by a consortium of institutions led by BCCI-K, including IISc, UAS, ISEC, Integrated Natural Resource Management, CSTEP and London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Corrective measures

“In this scenario, the State should take necessary steps to address, urgently and holistically, concerns related to the adverse impacts of climate change on agriculture by improving the natural resource base (soil and water), diversifying cropping systems, adapting the farming-systems approach, strengthening the extension system, and improving risk management through early-warning systems, crop insurance, and institutional support,” said BK Chandrashekar, former minister who chaired BCCI-K in its report preparation.

The report also suggested that a range of adaptive strategies need to be considered. Like changing cropping calendars and cropping patterns to include those varieties of crop that can perform better despite the variable climate are the immediate and the best option.

Other important options suggested by BCCI-K includes introducing new cropping sequence, deploying late or early maturing crop varieties depending on the available rowing season, conserving soil moisture through appropriate tillage practice and practicing more efficient water harvesting techniques.

Recommendations

Also, development of crop varieties tolerant to drought, high/low temperature, and pests – varieties that may be better adapted to future climatic conditions – by using genetic resources should be initiated immediately.

Chandrashekar said, “Recommendations that emerge from different scenarios of the impact of climate change include changing the cropping pattern, promoting drought-resistant crop varieties, shifting to perennial horticulture and agro forestry, and changing cropping practices.”

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/foodgrain-yields-to-drop-drastically-in-13-karnataka-districts-study/article6670083.ece