Agriculture being a climate-sensitive sector also a sector that provides livelihood for more than 60% of Indians. It is amongst the most vulnerable sectors to the risks and impacts of global climate change, therefore over the past decade a large number of studies have tried to assess the impact of climate variability and climate change. Climate change has often been described as "one of the most pressing environmental challenges". It is a growing global problem and concern, calling for concerted efforts by the developed as well as developing countries. Climate change scenarios include higher temperatures, changes in precipitation, and higher atmospheric CO concentrations which may affect on yield (both quality and quantity), growth rates, photosynthesis and transpiration rates, moisture availability, through changes of water use (irrigation) and agricultural inputs such as herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers etc. Environmental effects such as frequency and intensity of soil drainage (leading to nitrogen leaching), soil erosion, land availability, reduction of crop diversity may also affect agricultural productivity. All these changes can influence human health, cause changes to forests and other ecosystems, or even impact our energy supply. Impact of climate change on agriculture will be one of the major deciding factors influencing the future food security of mankind on the earth. Agriculture is not only sensitive to climate change but at the same time is one of the major drivers for climate change. This article reviews the existing literature that assesses the impact of climate change on agriculture and how it affects the agricultural production. This paper is also focusing on the potential roles of adaptation and mitigation strategies and their interactions, in response to climate change to improve agriculture sector in India.
Agriculture, Climate Change, Adaptation, Mitigation
