The use of science and technology has so far helped to avert the decrease in agricultural crop yields in India despite the increase in temperature and the effects of climate change, Ramesh Chand, member, Niti Aayog, he said on Thursday.
“Despite the rise in temperature, you would not yet see a decrease in yield of any of the crops in India, despite reports that the increase in temperature will affect productivity,” Chand said at the annual CII 2025 summit.
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Despite climate change and temperature increase, crop yield increases. “This is because (of) science and technology, research and development. So far, technology is able to face the adverse effects of climate change,” he added.
In India, 30-40% of total carbon emissions contribute and climate change also affects agriculture productivity. The second specificity is that agriculture emissions are invisible, which is not in most other industries.
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Illustrated his point by example of wheat yields. If climate change was assumed to cause a 4% decrease in the yield in the next 30 years, scientific progress has affected. New varieties have been developed, resulting in a actual increase in yield of 20%. Therefore, despite the impact of climate change, the net income increase was 14%.
He stressed, however, that just because the yield is not affected does not mean that climate change is not happening. So far, science and technology, research and development and irrigation equipment, and many other initiatives have helped to face the effects of climate change. “But as we go out, there will be a phase called a reversal point for which you can do nothing through science. Then you have no option to keep in mind,” Chand stressed.
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He underlined the critical role of policy in allowing growth resistant to innovation and outlined five priorities for political action. First correct distortion at input and output prices. For example, providing a bonus on a particular crop increases the production of this crop at the expense of others.
Secondly, to reduce emissions, it proposes to support crops in agro-climatically suitable regions. Third, he emphasized an increase in input efficiency, such as fertilizers that should be used deliberately. For the fourth time, he emphasized the growing yields of crops and finally to mainstream sustainable agricultural procedures to reduce the carbon footprint of the sector.
As part of the annual Indian Indian Trade Summit (CII), a special plenary session of “innovation for climatic resistant agriculture”, where Chand addressed the audience, took place.
Hearing combined experts from politics, industry and research to deal with top innovations and sustainable procedures for agriculture resistant to climate. The discussion focused on authorizing farmers, increasing productivity, and ensuring environmental management focusing on integrating intelligent technologies, sustainable models and inclusive strategies.
(Tagstotranslate) India Farm Denoy
