Heat waves to become major threat to rice production in India, with Ganges and Indus basins most at risk: FAO-WMO report

New Delhi: Heat waves will become a major threat to agricultural workers and rice production in India, with the worst risks of future extreme heat events concentrated in the densely populated agricultural regions of the Ganges and Indus river basins, a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said.The report, released on Earth Day on Wednesday, analyzes the impact of extreme heat on rice and other agricultural production in India.It also cited the example of extreme heat events in India in 2022, highlighting how abnormal rise in maximum and minimum temperatures during the year affected crops, fruits, vegetables and livestock and poultry in more than one-third of the states/UTs, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra.“The year will also be seen as a prime example of the combined impact of high temperatures and reduced rainfall across India’s agricultural production system, particularly in northern and central India,” the report said. The report comes as the country is expected to receive “below normal” rainfall during this year’s four-month (June-September) monsoon season.The World Meteorological Organization defines a heat wave as a prolonged period of unusually hot weather, lasting from days to months, with daytime and nighttime temperatures exceeding typical regional averages.The report points out that over the past half century, the frequency, intensity and duration of extreme heat events around the world have increased dramatically, and the risks faced by agricultural food systems and ecosystems will increase significantly in the future.“Extreme heat is increasingly affecting the operating conditions of agri-food systems,” said Celeste Solo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization.“It’s not just an isolated climate hazard, it’s a compounding risk factor that amplifies existing vulnerabilities across agricultural systems. Climate services such as early warnings and seasonal outlooks are critical to help us adapt to the new reality,” she said.In addition to the impact on crops, the report outlines how extreme heat could affect livestock breeds, fisheries, dairy and poultry products.Noting the impacts, the report also points to the need to innovate and implement adaptation measures such as selective breeding and crop selection according to new climate realities, adjusting planting windows and changing management practices to protect crops and agricultural activities from extreme heat.“Early warning systems are particularly important tools to help farmers cope with extreme heat,” the report said.