Climate change can reduce agriculture income : Economic Survey

Climate change can reduce agriculture income : Economic Survey

Climate change could reduce annual agricultural incomes in the range of 15% to 18% on average, and up to 20% to 25% for unirrigated areas, the Economic Survey pointed out.

Minimising susceptibility to climate change requires drastically extending irrigation via efficient drip and sprinkler technologies (realising “more crop for every drop”), and replacing untargeted subsidies in power and fertiliser by direct income support, the survey suggested. 

More broadly, the cereal-centric policy needs to be reviewed. Shortages of water and land, deterioration in soil quality, and of course climate change-induced temperature increases and rainfall variability, are all going to impact agriculture. It is therefore opportune to analyse the effects of climate on Indian agriculture.

Also Read : Rahul Gandhi mocks Modi government over Economic Survey with a music video

The last few seasons have witnessed a problem of plenty. Farm revenues declining for a number of crops despite increasing production and market prices falling below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). But in the medium to long term, the ghost of Malthus (the economist) looms over Indian agriculture. 

The report suggests that productivity will have to be increased, and price and income volatility reduced, against the backdrop of increasing resource constraints.

Using district-level data on temperature, rainfall and crop production, the survey states a long-term trend of rising temperatures, declining average precipitation, and increase in extreme precipitation events. 

A key finding—and one with significant implications as climate change looms—is that the impact of temperature and rainfall is felt only in the extreme; that is, when temperatures are much higher, rainfall significantly lower, and the number of “dry days” greater, than normal. 

Women oriented

The economic survey indicates that agriculture is becoming women oriented, as men are migrated to cities to work. The growth of female workers and entrepreneurs is increasing day by day. Therefore, the government must have a policy of women.Steps should be taken to get land, borrow, seeds, water and better market for women.The survey also states that women’s self help groups providing financial assistance through the Mini Loan Programs.