Climate sensitivity of rice yields: An agro climatic zone analysis in the undivided state of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Observational data shows that there have been significant regional variations in climate change patterns across India. This study examines the effects of climate change on yields of rice across different climatic zones in the former state of Andhra Pradesh. The study uses district level panel data for 30 years (1981–2010) to analyze the influence of climatic variables like rainfall, maximum temperature and minimum temperature on rice yields at the agro‐climatic zone level. Analysis of data shows that the degree of impact of climate on yield of rice is varied across different climatic zones in the former state of Andhra Pradesh. Climatic zones which have traditionally higher temperature and lesser rainfall are more susceptible to variations in climate than others. Though the negative impact of temperature is similar among all the zones, there are observable spatial variations and differences in the degrees of impact The study also found that the impact of irrigation is significantly higher in traditionally drier zones than others. Given significant regional variations on climate change impact, policy makers, administrators and crop scientists have to design micro‐level mitigation and adaptation techniques.

Does climate impact vary across time horizons? A time–frequency analysis of climate-crop yields in India

“…The state of Andhra Pradesh; now divided in to two separate states; Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, was the fifth largest in the country both in terms of population (84.6 million) and geographical area (27.4 million hectares). The undivided state of Andhra Pradesh has a tropical climate with moderate to subtropical weather and exhibits diverse climatic patterns across different agro-climatic zones (Padakandla, 2020). Humid to semi humid conditions prevail in the Coastal areas while arid to semi-arid situations are prevalent in the interior parts, particularly Rayalaseema and some districts of Telangana (Government of Andhra Pradesh, 2011b).…”

“…The undivided state of Andhra Pradesh is primarily agrarian in nature, being the third largest producer of rice and groundnut and second largest producer of cotton and sunflower. The impact of climate on this state is more intense not only because of its dependence on agriculture but also of diverse impact across different climatic regions (Padakandla, 2020).…”