Climate Impact on Chhattisgarh Crop Diversity: A Looming Threat

Abstract

Chhattisgarh, a state renowned for its rich agro-biodiversity and significant contribution to India’s agricultural landscape, faces an escalating threat from the changing climate. This abstract encapsulates the multifaceted impacts of climate change on the state’s diverse cropping systems, encompassing alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and their subsequent effects on crop yields, pest and disease dynamics, and the livelihoods of agrarian communities. The intricate interplay between climatic stressors and the inherent vulnerability of different crop varieties necessitates a comprehensive understanding to formulate effective adaptation and mitigation strategies. This article delves into ten critical dimensions of this challenge, exploring the specific impacts on key crops like rice, maize, pulses, and oilseeds, alongside the implications for traditional and indigenous crop varieties. Furthermore, it examines the socio-economic consequences for farmers, the role of technological interventions, and the policy frameworks required to ensure agricultural resilience and food security in the face of a warming planet. The need for climate smart agricultural practices, conservation of genetic resources, and community-based adaptation approaches is underscored as crucial for safeguarding Chhattisgarh’s agricultural heritage and the well-being of its farming population.