India's Food Security at Risk Due to Climate Change; Drought in 6 States

India's agricultural system is currently under the severe impact of climate change. Increasing heat, irregular rainfall, droughts, and floods are causing heavy losses to crop production. According to a new report by 'Climate Trends', the country is suffering a food loss of approximately 13 billion US dollars every year. Poor storage capacity, transportation, and cold chain systems are primarily responsible for this loss.

Drought has been declared in 6 states of the country. This situation is directly affecting farmers' income, food availability, and market prices. The impact of climate change is no longer limited to fields but is affecting the entire food supply chain, increasing the burden on the pockets of ordinary consumers.

The report titled 'From Risk to Resilience: Climate Change, Ecology and the Future of Indian Agriculture' states that post-harvest losses have increased due to extreme heat and climatic severity. Delhi's Azadpur Mandi is a living example of this crisis. The year 2024 has been the hottest year for India so far. During this period, a fruit vendor suffered a loss of more than 1 lakh rupees in a single day because mangoes spoiled quickly due to extreme heat. Fruits that usually last for two days were destroyed in a single day.

Dr. Palak Balyan, Research Lead at Climate Trends, states that one-third of fruits and vegetables spoil before reaching consumers. The effect of heat is also impacting milk production and soil fertility is deteriorating. According to Dr. G.V. Ramanjanulu of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the intensity of drought may vary across different areas of the same state, and experience shows that this crisis could persist for a long time.

According to the report, extreme heat causes an annual loss of approximately ₹2,661 crore in milk production, equivalent to about 18 lakh tonnes of milk. 40 percent of the country's livestock population is sensitive to climatic severity. Due to poor cold chain systems, 40 percent of fruits and vegetables and 5-6 percent of grains are wasted. Only 4 percent of fresh produce can access cold storage facilities.

According to statistical data, more than 20 million hectares of agricultural land have been affected by floods, droughts, and other disasters. The use of chemical fertilizers has doubled in the last three decades, increasing from 73.5 kg per hectare in 1990 to 199 kg in 2023. Had the crop loss caused by air pollution not occurred, it could have fed approximately 9.4 crore people.

The agriculture sector's contribution to India's total greenhouse gas emissions is 13.7 percent. According to Aarti Khosla, Director of Climate Trends, El Niño is putting additional pressure on weak soil and declining groundwater levels, the impact of which is reaching the market and inflation.

Experts believe that weather forecasting alone is not enough. Better storage, agricultural extension services, market access, and investment in sustainable farming are necessary. There is a need to strengthen organic farming, crop diversification, weather-based insurance, and early warning systems. Former Agriculture Secretary T. Nandakumar spoke about focusing on policy risks and local-level decision-making. Climate scientists have emphasized drought-resistant crops and irrigation facilities. The report concludes that instead of providing compensation after the loss, investment should be made in risk-reduction policies. To ensure India's food security, soil and water conservation, modern technology, and timely assistance to farmers are indispensable.