Global warming may spoil India's wheat party

According to a current estimate, the average wheat production in the country stands at 2.6-2.7 tonne per hectare. Agronomic impact of climate change is key to mitigate the grave risk of wheat production falling by 0.45 tonne per hectare in case the winter temperature rises by a minimum of 0.5 degree celsius, according to the 'Wheat Report 2008: Future Tense', brought out jointly by Assocham and AgriWatch.

 

This change in climate would force farmers to shift crop patterns, the report says. A favourable temperature during February and March is crucial to a good harvest of wheat.

In can be noted that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has released a national action plan on June 30 to deal with climate change. The plan seeks to promote use of alternative sources of energy, with special emphasis on solar energy.

Talking about the outlook for the next 10 years, the report says wheat demand in the country is expected to cross 110 million tonne by 2010, which is currently estimated at 73-75 million tonne.

While the current level of production is sufficient to meet the present demand, maintaining an over 3 per cent compound average growth rate (CAGR) in production is crucial to meet the demand in the next 10 years, it points out. However, meeting the demand by raising output is an uphill task, the report stated.