Call Us Now

+91 9606900005 / 04

For Enquiry

legacyiasacademy@gmail.com

How climate change is affecting India’s wheat production cycle

Wheat Production in India

  • Geographical Spread: Primarily grown in Indo-Gangetic plains—Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.
  • Rabi Crop: Sown between October and December; harvested between February and April.
  • Procurement Targets:
    • 2025-26: 30 million tonnes.
    • 2024-25: 26.6 million tonnes (below 34.15 million tonne target).
  • Export Restrictions:
    • May 2022: Wheat exports banned post-Russia-Ukraine war due to global price hikes and food security concerns.

Relevance : GS 3(Agriculture ,Environment )

Rising Temperatures and Impact on Wheat Growth

  • Record Heat:
    • February 2025: Warmest in 124 years.
    • March 2025: Expected above-normal temperatures and heat waves.
  • Heat Stress on Wheat:
    • Accelerates flowering and ripening → reduces grain-filling period.
    • Lowers starch accumulation → smaller, lighter grains with lower yield.
    • Increases protein content but reduces milling quality → market price drops.

Scientific Insights into Heat Stress on Wheat

  • Physiological Impact:
    • Alters photosynthesis, respiration, water-nutrient absorption.
    • Affects biomass, grain count, and size.
  • Critical Growth Stages Susceptible to Heat:
    • Emergence: Seed sprouts and first leaf appears.
    • Growth Stage 1: Shoots develop, plant begins flower formation.
    • Growth Stage 2 (Most Vulnerable): Transition from vegetative to reproductive stage.
    • Growth Stage 3: Grain-filling and maturity phase—high temperatures can severely impact yield.

Role of Indian Ocean Warming & Monsoon Shift

  • Warming Trends: Indian Ocean heating at an accelerated rate.
    • By 2100: Expected to remain in a “near-permanent heat wave state.”
    • Heat wave frequency may rise from 20 days/year to 220-250 days/year.
  • Monsoon Impact:
    • Kharif season (summer crops) is delayed → pushes Rabi sowing later.
    • Delayed wheat sowing → overlaps with early heat waves, affecting yield.

Secondary Effects of Heat Stress on Wheat Farming

  • Overuse of Fertilizers & Chemicals:
    • Farmers compensate for low yield by excessive pesticide and fertilizer use.
    • Leads to inefficient resource utilization and soil degradation.
  • Supply Chain and Market Impact:
    • Lower quality wheat faces price cuts.
    • Losses in domestic food security and procurement shortfalls.

Adaptation & Mitigation Strategies

  • Short-Term Measures:
    • Compensation: Financial aid for farmers facing heat-stress losses.
    • Crop Insurance & Subsidies: To ensure stability despite climatic risks.
  • Long-Term Strategies:
    • Climate-Resilient Wheat Varieties: Research and distribution of heat-resistant crops.
    • Policy Changes:
      • Adjust sowing dates to avoid heat wave overlap.
      • Promote early sowing in regions prone to early temperature rise.
    • Tech-Based Interventions:
      • Weather monitoring systems and advisory services for farmers.
      • Improved agricultural management with precision farming techniques.
  • Holistic Approach Needed:
    • Not just wheat but entire food systems require climate adaptation.
    • Balancing food security, yield stability, and resource conservation is key.

March 2025
MTWTFSS
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31 
Categories