El Nino Affected Kharif Crops Production Across India, ICAR Study Finds
A study by Indian Council of Agricultural Research found El Niño significantly reduced kharif crop yields in India. Paddy output fell over 10% in 77 districts, maize in 65 districts, and sorghum and pearl millet in 36 districts each during 2002, 2004 and 2009 El Niño years.
A study conducted by scientists at the ICAR institute has found that El Niño conditions have significantly affected the production of major kharif crops across several districts in India.
The research showed that paddy yields declined by more than 10% in 77 districts, while maize production saw a similar fall in 65 districts during El Niño years.
Over 77 Districts Saw Sharp Paddy Yield Decline During El Niño: Study
The impact was particularly severe in major rice-growing states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha. The study also reported over 10% decline in sorghum and pearl millet yields in 36 districts each, underlining the risks faced by monsoon-dependent farming.
El Niño refers to the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and is generally linked to weaker monsoon rainfall in India.
Published in Elsevier’s Climate Services journal in 2023, the study examined the El Niño years of 2002, 2004 and 2009. Researchers said the findings could help authorities prepare better short- and long-term strategies to reduce agricultural losses.
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Source : News 18
