By a correspondent
Imphal, June 2,
The scientists of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Centres, working in diverse discipline claimed that temperature is projected to rise by over 1.7°C by the end of 21st century in Manipur.
Trend analysis of weather variables in Imphal under National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture revealed that the mean annual maximum temperature (1954–2014) has been increasing (0.1°C per decade), says the scientists in their research paper report published in Current Science journal in October 2018.
The 20 paged report called Climate resilient agriculture in Manipur: status and strategies for sustainable development is the result of year long work by as many as 11 ICAR scientists who have reviewed a number of sources of information.
Stating that as evident from the last 30 years’ climate data analysis, precipitation rate in northern parts is expected to increase, the scientists said. The southern districts are expected to experience higher temperature than that of the northern districts. Total annual precipitation is expected to increase throughout the state.
It is also projected that the extreme rainfall events (100 mm/day) will become more frequent while the southern districts are expected to experience higher temperature than that of the northern districts. Similarly the greenhouse gas emissions have also increased in Manipur from 1980 to 2005, it said.Crop yields are projected to decrease by 10% in 2030.
Interestingly there are enormous gene pool of rice , maize, cucurbits, legumes, tuber crops, turmeric, ginger and chillies in Manipur which houses more than 500 orchid varieties, 1200 species of medicinal plants, 50 species of fleshy fungi, 121 algae and a few moses, 200 plus fish species, 73 different types of birds, 31 endemic mammals, more than 53 species of bamboos etc.
But high summer temperature can impair reproductive growth, yield and quality in different vegetables; while high winter temperature limits the cold hardiness and thus, hampers the seed production and ultimately it will hit the small and marginal farmers.
Projecting the loss of bio-diversity and extinction of rare/threatened flora and fauna besides projecting decline in crop yields by 10 percent in 2030 in view of the said climate variability, the scientists estimated that the food grain production and requirement of the state would be 77105 and 79323 thousand tonnes respectively by 2050. Hence, there will be deficit of 2218 thousand tonnes of food grain by 2050, they predicted.
It may be mentioned that the total food grain production in Manipur during 2014–15 was 594.28 thousand tonnes from an area of 292,950 ha.
Otherwise the total gross cropped area the state is 350,290 ha, which account for 15.24% of the total land areas. About 65.93% under rice cultivation.
Hence, there is an urgent need for devising climate proof plan and climate ready policy for climate compatible agricultural development in Manipur,the report said. Location-specific climate smart technology baskets need to be devised or introduced and should be demonstrated through participatory approach, for ensuring a climate resilient production system, and a climate resilient ecosystem.
Sustainable intensification of climate change action in Manipur requires introduction of climate ready varieties/species/breeds, organic nutrient management, increase in water availability especially during lean period and integrated farming system-based approach with special emphasis on carbon sequestration and waste managemen,it added.
Adaptation is considered a local phenomenon. Hence, there is an urgent need for seamless blending of traditional wisdom and modern scientific technologies to devise locally suitable adaptive strategies for agriculture.
