The impact of climate change on agriculture is growing, with the number of climate-related disasters increasing year after year.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports in its 'The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security Report 2023' that the frequency of disasters has increased from around 100 in the 1970s to 400 now. Over the last 30 years, these disasters have cost USD 38 billion in crop and livestock losses, with an annual average loss of USD 123 billion, equal to 5% of global agricultural GDP.
Drought is the leading cause of climate-related agricultural damage, accounting for 65% of total agricultural damage. The newly issued FAO study at the COP28 in Dubai underlines that India is one of the countries most vulnerable to these effects. India's volatility is worsened by its enormous reliance on rain-fed agriculture and a vast number of small farmers, with 70% of rural households reliant on agriculture for a living.
The FAO research emphasizes the grave threat that climate change poses to millions of Indians, as 70% of rural households rely on agriculture for a living. Heatwaves that are becoming more intense, as evidenced by record-breaking temperatures in 2023, and rising flooding during monsoon seasons both contribute to big danger. Floods alone cost the agricultural industry USD 4.4 billion in 2022.
While the FAO report highlights India's vulnerability, not all experts agree. Dr. Ram Chet Chaudhary, an agricultural expert, disputes the claims, claiming that blaming India is frequently political in nature. He does, however, identify three major reasons for global food challenges: natural disasters, conflicts, and some countries experiencing ongoing food shortages due to limited arable land and suitable cultivation time.
According to the FAO report, rising temperatures will result in a considerable decrease in crop yields. A one to four-degree Celsius temperature increase, for example, may result in a 10% to 30% decrease in rice yield and a 25% to 70% decrease in maize productivity. States like Odisha, where 78% of land grows rice, are particularly sensitive.
Mitigation of harm through strategies such as 'climate-smart farming' is underlined in the FAO report. These policies seek to improve the efficiency, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability of agrifood systems. Despite some experts' pessimism, the paper claims that expenditures in prevention might yield significant advantages, with every dollar invested possibly saving up to $7.
Devinder Sharma, an agricultural specialist, questions the concept of 'climate-smart farming' and pushes for 'climate-resilient farming' in order to keep power in the hands of the people. He criticizes huge corporations and expresses concern about their impact on world agriculture. Sharma stresses the necessity of adopting ecological farming practices, providing examples of successful chemical-free farming in India. He believes that abandoning GDP development is critical for attaining environmental sustainability and mitigating climate change.
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