Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture in India

Abstract

India’s agriculture is highly climate-sensitive due to its large rainfed area, dependence on the summer monsoon, and predominance of small and marginal holdings. Climate change is already altering the frequency and intensity of heat waves, rainfall extremes, droughts, and floods, and it is shifting pest and disease dynamics. These changes affect crop yields, water availability, livestock performance, input use, and farm income stability. This paper synthesizes evidence from authoritative secondary sources (intergovernmental assessments, Indian meteorological and agricultural institutions, and Government of India schemes) to examine the major pathways through which climate change affects agricultural production and rural livelihoods in India. The review finds that impacts are uneven across agro‑climatic zones: irrigated regions are primarily threatened by higher water demand and heat stress, while rainfed regions face greater yield volatility and production risk. The paper evaluates adaptation measures such as climate‑resilient varieties, adjusted sowing windows, micro‑irrigation, soil moisture conservation, integrated farming systems, climate information services, and risk- transfer mechanisms such as crop insurance. The study concludes that climate resilience requires a systems approach—combining science, institutions, finance, and last‑mile delivery—to protect food security and farmer incomes.