Climate Change and Agriculture Sector of India- Risks and Responses: A Review

The ever-growing impact of global climatic change on agriculture is becoming more evident each day, with a continual rise in earth’s temperatures altering precipitation patterns, particularly affecting the monsoon season. These changing conditions pose significant threats to agricultural production, impacting fisheries, livestock farms and agribusiness infrastructure, thereby contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition. Due to climate change, India, a major producer of key crops such as wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane and maize, is witnessing adverse effects on its agriculture. Despite the formidable challenges posed by climate change, agriculture holds significant promise as a key solution. This potential can be realized through concerted efforts aimed at reducing emissions and implementing widespread strategies for both mitigation and adaptation. Adopting optimal management practices, encompassing techniques like organic farming, agroforestry, irrigation planning, efficient manure management and rainwater harvesting, is pivotal in this endeavor. This paper endeavors to conduct a thorough review encompassing pertinent literature, articles, documents and reports and assess the impacts of climate change on agriculture. With a specific focus on elucidating the ramifications of climate change on agricultural production in India, the study seeks to highlight prevailing risks while delving into avenues for mitigation. Ultimately, the aim is to underscore the critical importance of embracing resilient agricultural methods to safeguard household food security amidst the challenges posed by climate change.