The Hindu : National : Climate change, challenge to rice cultivation

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Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006
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Climate change, challenge to rice cultivation

Special Correspondent

Asian rice production could decline by an average 4 per cent

NEW DELHI: Climate change due to global warming is the new challenge to rice production and productivity, renowned scientists pointed out at the second International Rice Congress here.

According to M.S. Swaminathan, Asian rice production could decline by an average 4 per cent due to climate change based on the present systems. Altered timing and magnitude of rainfall could induce drought or flood injury to the rice crop. Increased temperatures and/or changes in precipitation could have dramatic impacts on diseases and insects. Enhanced temperatures and enriched carbon dioxide may alter competition between rice and major weeds and the contribution of other organisms to nitrogen fixation in rice fields.

Speaking on "Science and Shaping the Future of Rice" at the plenary session of the congress, Dr. Swaminathan said that while increased atmospheric carbon dioxide may have beneficial impacts on rice growth, the benefits would be lost if the temperatures also rose. "That is because increased temperatures shortens the period over which rice grows."

According to him, evergreen revolution meant increasing productivity in perpetuity without associated ecological harm, while the green revolution was commodity-centred increase in productivity.

Giving an Indian perspective of rice culture in agriculture, Director-General of ICAR Mangala Rai said 57 per cent of about 102 million Indian farmers grew rice. One-third of the total calory needs were met through rice. The rice-wheat system was the major consumer of irrigation water.

He said the decline in soil health and water quality in rice-based systems was a major global issue. Global warming would have a negative impact on yield and soil fertility.

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