Indian Horticulture Journal

Climate change may have beneficial as well as detrimental consequences for agriculture. However, climate of Himalaya particularly Darjeeling hill, is drastically change and temperature and rainfall pattern significantly changes during the last two decade. Shift in climate, has contributed to unpredictable or erratic rainfall pattern, drying up of local springs and streams, species migration to higher elevations, shift of sowing and harvesting period of crops, emergence of invasive species and incidence of diseases/pests in crops as well as in fodder species and livestock too. Building resilience in both human and ecological systems to an optimum level is the best possible way to adapt to climatic variation. The present investigation was conducted during the year 2012–14, keeping above aspect in mind at Regional Research Station (Hill zone), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidayalay, Kalimpong (1250 m asl), WB, India. Our focus on present study was mostly confined to Lava (2200 m asl), Rishav (2000 m asl), Rimbhik-Phalut (3000 m asl), Sukhiapokhri and Neora Valley of Darjeeling Himalaya, and part of Sikkim Himalaya includes Changu and its adjoining village area of Baba Dham during the year of Apri, 2012 to August, 2014. Present study identified the primary challenges of mountain farmers for ensuing adaptive capacity and water security in the agriculture systems and loss of variable energy resource. High levels of impact from climatic change were recorded for endangered medicinal plant herb and valuable crop plant such as maize, cardamom, ginger. So the adaptation and mitigation strategies mainly include crops and varieties that fit into new cropping systems and seasons. Further, need to develop varieties with changed duration and varieties for high temperature, drought, acidity and submergence tolerance. Lastly, varieties with high fertilizer and radiation use efficiency should be come into practice. Wild and extant varieties have traits tolerant to high temperature, elevated CO2 etc. These might have been discarded in the past due to low yield potential but can be made use of today as parents for the breeding of tolerant varieties to climate change. There is a need to revisit gene banks with a view to searching for unique traits required for climate change. In this search, indigenous knowledge and farmer's wisdom have immense value. Better resource management practices under terraced condition of Himalaya region hold the key to adaptation and mitigation. Our observation revealed that raised-bed planting of wheat in the doors region of Darjeeling Himalaya entails 20–25% saving in irrigation water and is suitable for mechanical weeding, and results in reduced herbicide use and increase crop yield.