Uttarakhand Farmers Battle Climate Change: Decline in Fruit Crops
Climate change is a major issue affecting farmers in Uttarakhand, India. At a workshop in Delhi, experts and farmers discussed the impact of rising temperatures and erratic weather on fruit crops. The event, organized by Climate Trends and the Indian Agriculture Research Institute, revealed a 54% decrease in fruit cultivation area and a 44% drop in yields. Mango, litchi, and guava are particularly affected by sunburn, fruit cracking, and fungal infections.
Bhawana Joshi, a Senior Entomologist, expressed concern over declining apple production. Farmer Deep Belwal shared how climate change has reduced fruit size and increased fruit drop, especially in langra mangoes. The state government is supporting farmers by promoting crop diversification and insurance schemes. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana helps conserve water for crops like mangoes and litchis.
Farmers are adopting climate-resilient practices, such as high-density orchards and drought-tolerant crops like dragon fruit and kiwi. Vishwa Bandhu Patel from ICAR-IARI noted that despite challenges, farmers can now grow apples and mangoes in September and October, with potential for other fruits like blueberry and kiwi.
Doubts Revealed
Uttarakhand -: Uttarakhand is a state in northern India, known for its beautiful mountains and forests. It is located in the Himalayas and is famous for its natural beauty and pilgrimage sites.
Climate Change -: Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns. It is mainly caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels, which increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Fruit Crops -: Fruit crops are plants that produce fruits, which are harvested for food. In Uttarakhand, common fruit crops include mango, litchi, and guava.
Sunburn -: Sunburn in plants occurs when they are exposed to too much sunlight, causing damage to the leaves and fruits. It can make the fruits look bad and affect their growth.
Fungal Infections -: Fungal infections in plants are caused by fungi, which are tiny organisms that can harm plants. They can cause diseases that affect the health and yield of crops.
Workshop -: A workshop is a meeting where people come together to discuss and learn about a specific topic. In this case, it was about the problems farmers face due to climate change.
Crop Diversification -: Crop diversification means growing different types of crops instead of just one. This helps farmers reduce risks and improve their chances of having a good harvest.
Climate-resilient Practices -: Climate-resilient practices are farming methods that help crops withstand the effects of climate change. These practices make it easier for plants to survive in changing weather conditions.
Subsidies -: Subsidies are financial help given by the government to support farmers. They help reduce the cost of farming and encourage farmers to adopt new practices.
Insurance Schemes -: Insurance schemes for farmers provide financial protection against losses due to bad weather or other problems. If crops fail, farmers can get money to help them recover.
