Cultivators Embrace Climate-Resilient Wheat Varieties to Safeguard Food Security

Responding to the growing challenges posed by climate change, farmers in key wheat-producing states in India have adopted heat-tolerant varieties on a massive scale this season, marking a crucial shift in agricultural practices. Analysts attribute this shift to an increasing awareness of changing weather patterns.

Record Adoption of Climate-Resilient Wheat

Following two consecutive years of heatwaves and extreme weather conditions that adversely affected cereal output and spiked prices, a recent survey by the agriculture ministry reveals that wheat growers have planted a historic 80% of the total wheat area with climate-resilient varieties. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the country’s food security, which has been under threat due to unpredictable weather.

The adoption of climate-resilient and bio-fortified wheat varieties is notably pronounced in pivotal wheat-producing states such as Punjab and Haryana. Gyanendra Singh, the director of the IIBR (Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research), reports that 80% of the wheat area in these states has been cultivated with these adaptive crops. The positive impact of this shift is already visible across all major states, with the wheat crop in robust condition.

Climate Challenges and Agricultural Innovation

India, being the world’s second-largest wheat grower, faced a significant setback in 2022 when scorching weather limited wheat production to about 100 million tonnes, falling short of the domestic consumption requirement. The current season sees farmers sowing about 10% more area under wheat than usual, reaching approximately 33.1 million hectares. The government estimates a record output of 114 million tonnes.

Despite a bumper harvest, India grapples with high cereal inflation for over a year, hinting at possible shortages. A study by the University of British Columbia indicates that in 2022 India’s wheat yield declined by 4.5% due to heathwaves, emphasising the disruptive impact of climate change on the country’s food economy.

Farmers are placing their hopes on varieties like DBW187 and DBW222, known for their superior heat tolerance over traditional varieties. These strains demonstrated yield gains of 3.6% and 5.4%, respectively, during the 2021-22 crop season. However, experts emphasise the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and stress the need for continued innovation to adapt to the changing climate.

As farmers strive to overcome the challenges posed by a warming planet, the adoption of climate-resilient wheat varieties emerges as a crucial step in safeguarding food security and sustaining agricultural productivity in the face of climate change.