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Picture Courtesy: The Hindu

Context:

Assam tea, a globally renowned commodity and economic lifeline for over 12 lakh workers, is facing unprecedented climate-related challenges.

Current status of climate change and its impact on Agriculture:

• A recent global assessment by United Nations found that intensifying heat and atmospheric dryness (from climate change) have reduced yields of the world’s five major crops by 4–13% over the past 50 years.
• A foundational global‑econometric study by Stanford woods institute for the environment estimated that human-induced climate change has reduced global agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) by about 21% since 1961 — roughly equivalent to losing the last 9 years of productivity gains.
• Rice yields could drop 6–12%, wheat by 10–25% (esp. under ~2 °C warming scenario), and maize by 15–20% especially in rain‑fed or moisture‑stress-prone areas.
• According to a 2024/2025 Indian forecasting report, overall crop yields in India may drop by 5–9% due to climate change.
• India’s tea output recently saw a sharp drop: In June 2025, national monthly tea production fell 9% year-on-year (from 146.72 million kg to 133.5 million kg), blamed on extreme heat, rainfall deficit, and pest outbreaks linked to climate change. (Source: The Hindu)

What are the major impacts of climate change on commercial crops?

Temperature Stress: Rising mean and maximum temperatures affect plant growth, flowering, fruiting, and nutrient absorption. Extreme heat (>35°C) can cause flower drop, reduce yields, and affect crop quality. IPCC 6th Assessment Report (2022) notes that every 1°C rise in global temperature can reduce yields of wheat, maize, and rice by 5–10% in tropical/subtropical regions.

Erratic Rainfall and Water Stress: Changes in rainfall patterns — delayed monsoons, prolonged dry spells, sudden heavy rainfall disrupt sowing, harvesting, and irrigation schedules. Water stress reduces yields and increases crop vulnerability to pests. According to India Meteorological Department, 2023 report Rice in Punjab and Haryana has faced late monsoons and irregular rainfall, reducing paddy yields by 6–8% in certain districts.

Soil Degradation and Nutrient Imbalance: Intense rainfall leads to soil erosion, while droughts reduce soil moisture and organic content. Nutrient uptake by plants is hindered, affecting crop growth. According to Indian council of Agricultural Research, 2023 Sugarcane in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu declining soil fertility due to irregular rains and high temperatures, leading to lower sucrose content.

Increased Pest and Disease Incidence: Warmer temperatures and increased humidity favor pest proliferation and disease outbreaks, reducing yields and increasing reliance on pesticides. Example: Tea crops in Assam are increasingly affected by tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis theivora) due to rising temperatures, causing 10–15% losses in some estates.

What are the government initiatives in India to address climate change impacts on commercial crops?

What are the ways to address the impact of climate change on commercial crops?

Strengthening climate-resilient crop varieties: Develop and promote drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, and pest-resistant varieties for key crops like tea, coffee, rice, wheat, and sugarcane. Expand research and development at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities to focus on region-specific challenges.

Efficient water and soil Management: Scale up micro-irrigation, drip, and sprinkler systems under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana. Promote rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and watershed development in drought-prone regions.

Integrated Pest and Disease Management: Encourage integrated pest management (IPM), biological control, and organic inputs to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. Develop early warning systems using weather and pest surveillance data.

Capacity Building and Technology Adoption: Train farmers in climate-smart agriculture practices and adoption of digital tools (agro-meteorological advisories, precision farming apps). Support cooperative models and farmer collectives to share knowledge and resources.

Monitoring and Early Warning Systems: Expand climate and yield monitoring networks using remote sensing, IoT sensors, and data analytics. Provide timely alerts on heatwaves, droughts, and pest outbreaks to reduce crop losses.

Conclusion:

Climate change poses a serious threat to commercial crops through rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, soil degradation, and increased pest incidence, leading to reduced yields, lower quality, and economic stress for farmers. Government initiatives, climate-resilient practices, and technological interventions can mitigate these impacts. However, adaptation, diversification, and sustainable agriculture are essential to secure crop productivity, farmer livelihoods, and the long-term sustainability of India’s agriculture sector.

Source: The Hindu