Climate Change Impact on Agriculture

A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations highlights the severe impact of climate change on poor households, particularly in India. The report titled “The unjust climate. Measuring the impacts of climate change on rural poor, women, and youth”.

What are the Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture?

• Economic Impact of Climate Change on Poor Households: On average, poor households globally lose 5% of their total income due to heat stress and 4.4% from floods.
  • This loss is significantly higher compared to wealthier households.

Effects on Rural Poor in India

• On-Farm Income Sources: The income sources of rural poor households are affected differently depending on the type of climate stress.
  • Example: During droughts, these households invest more time and resources in agriculture due to reduced off-farm employment opportunities.
• Total Income Reduction: Poor households experience a decrease in total income compared to families not exposed to significant climate stressors.
• Structural Inequalities: The report emphasises that the vulnerability of poor households to climate stressors stems from structural inequalities.

Financial Implications of Climate Stressors

• Global Income Gap: Floods widen the income gap between poor and non-poor households by approximately $21 billion annually, while heat stress contributes over $20 billion each year.
• Temperature Increases: A rise of 1°C in average long-term temperatures leads to a 53% increase in farm incomes for poor households but a 33% decrease in their off-farm incomes compared to non-poor households.

India’s Proactive Steps To Combat Climate Change

• Implementation of the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) program aimed at helping farmers adapt to climate change.
• Development of contingency plans for all agricultural districts.
• Introduction of an employment guarantee scheme (MGNREGA) as a social safety net for its population.

Recommendations for Policy Measures

• Expand Social Security Nets: The FAO suggests that governments should expand social security programs to support vulnerable populations.
• Anticipatory Social Protection: Programs should be scaled up to provide support before extreme weather events occur.
  • This proactive approach can help reduce reliance on harmful coping strategies and prevent more people from falling into poverty.
• Enhance Off-Farm Employment: Improving workforce diversification and creating more off-farm job opportunities are essential.
• Address Gender Barriers: Policymakers are urged to tackle gender-specific barriers that hinder women’s access to non-farm employment.

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