Multi-Dimensional Yield Decline in Kerala’s Kole Wetlands: Climate, Agronomy, and Governance Challenges

The Kole wetlands of Kerala constitute a vital agro-ecological system that supports a large share of the state’s rice production but has experienced a persistent decline in productivity over the past decade. This study examined the multiple drivers of yield reduction through an integrated approach combining secondary datasets (2019-2024), structured farmer surveys, and field-level diagnostics. Annual rice yield, area sown, and rainfall records were compiled from official agricultural and meteorological agencies, while primary data documented farmers’ perspectives on production constraints and management practices. Key limiting factors were erratic climatic patterns, delayed or inadequate drainage maintenance, sub-optimal agronomic practices, and gaps in the institutional delivery of inputs and technical support. The combined quantitative and qualitative evidence demonstrates that climate stressors, infrastructural limitations, and governance bottlenecks act synergistically to depress yields in this seasonally inundated landscape. The findings underscore the urgency of coordinated interventions focused on water-management governance, timely input supply, and locally responsive policy measures to enhance resilience and restore the long-term sustainability of rice cultivation in Kerala Kole wetlands.