Understanding vulnerability of agricultural production system to climatic stressors in North Indian Plains: a meso-analysis

Abstract

The present study has mapped the hot spots vulnerable to changing climate and identified the underlying driving indicators in subtropical Trans and Upper Gangetic plains (TUGP) of India. The long-term trends indicate that the area between latitude 25 and 28° N has been more exposed to adverse climatic changes especially rise in maximum summer/monsoon and minimum winter temperatures. The more predominant correlates of vulnerability in the region come not from the exposure to adverse meteorological conditions but from prevailing socio-economic conditions (adaptive capacity) and the increased environmental pressure (sensitivity). Among the top 40 most vulnerable districts in the TUGP, in about two-third, the exposure was at moderate to low level, but sensitivity was high and adaptive capacity very weak. Among the sensitivity indicators, the factor loadings, obtained through modified principal component technique, were high for average size of landholdings, Temperature Humidity Index load and productivity of paddy and wheat crops. Irrigation intensity, farm mechanization, cropping intensity, livestock density, proportion of milch animals stock, rural literacy rate and veterinary institutions were the critical factors in determining the adaptive capacity of a district. The study outlines range of research and policy imperatives for enhancing resilience of crop-livestock production system.

Farm-Level Technical Efficiency and Its Determinants of Rice Production in Indo-Gangetic Plains: A Stochastic Frontier Model Approach

“…UP is blessed with the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains and, given the size of the state's geographical area, it is a significant contributor to the food security of the nation. About 12% of India's rice is produced by the state, [15,16] indicated some districts of subtropical Trans and Upper Gangetic plains are highly vulnerable due to prevailing socio-economic conditions and increased environmental pressure affecting the productivity of the wheat and paddy crops. When district-wise yield of rice productivity over the years is considered, there is a lot of fluctuations noticed in between different zones of the state, as shown in Supplementary Figure S3.…”

Economic impression of on‐farm research for sustainable crop production, milk yield, and livelihood options in semi‐arid regions of central India

“…The project interventions in the region enhanced resource recycling and improved the farm economy in a significant way. Although the actual choice of any interventions would eventually depend on socio-economic factors prevailing in any region (Choudhary & Sirohi, 2021), the evidence from the central part of India may offer an important lesson to promote an improved farming system research-based intervention to enhance rural livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions throughout the world.…”

Impact of soil and water conservation measures on farm productivity and income in the semi-arid tropics of Bundelkhand, central India

“…Rain-fed agriculture accounts for 80% of global agriculture and plays a critical role in food security, yet it is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change (Choudhary & Sirohi 2022). As opportunities for the expansion of irrigated land are limited, unlocking the potential of large cultivated rain-fed and dryland areas is important to address the potential challenges emerging from the burgeoning human population and the rising demand for food projected to occur over the next several decades (Garg et al 2012).…”