Climate impacts on Agriculture and Food Supply

Agriculture is an important sector of the Pakistan economy. The crops, livestock, and fisheries produced in Pakistan contribute more than 2284561 PKR Million to the economy each year. But now a days, climate badly impact on food supply and agriculture.

Agriculture and fisheries are highly dependent on the climatic conditions. Increases in temperature and carbon dioxide (CO₂) can rise some crop yields in some places. But to realize these benefits, soil moisture, nutrient levels water availability, and other conditions also be changes in the frequency and severity of floods and droughts could pose challenges for farmers and suppliers and threaten food safety.

Meanwhile, warmer water temperatures are likely to cause the habitat choices of many fish to shift, which could disrupt ecosystems. Overall, climate change could make it harder to cultivate crops, rear animals, and catch fish by same methods and same locations as we have done in the past. The effects of climate change also need to be well-thought-out along with other evolving factors that affect agricultural production, such as changes in farming practices and technology.

Impacts on Crops

Crops grown in the Pakistan are critical for the food supply here and around the world. Changes in temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂), and the frequency and intensity of risky weather could have significant impacts on crop yields.

• Higher carbon dioxide levels can affect crop yields. Some laboratory tests suggest that elevated CO₂levels can increase plant growth.  However, other factors, such as changing temperatures, nutrient constraints and waste, may counteract these potential increases in yield.
• For example, if temperature exceeds a crop’s optimal level, if enough nutrients and water are not available, yield increases may be reduced or reversed. Elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) has been associated with reduced protein and nitrogen content in alfalfa and soybean plants, resulting in a loss of quality.  Reduced grain and forage quality can reduce the ability of pasture and rangeland to support grazing livestock.

Impacts on Livestock

• Heat waves, which are projected to increase under climate change, could directly threaten livestock. In 2011, exposure to high temperature events caused heat-related losses to agricultural producers. Heat stress affects animals both directly and indirectly. Over time, heat stress can increase vulnerability to disease, reduce fertility, and reduce milk production.
• Drought may threaten pasture and feed supplies. Drought decreases the amount of quality forage available to grazing livestock. Some areas could experience longer, more intense droughts, resulting from higher summer temperatures and less precipitation. For animals that rely on grain, changes in crop production due to drought could also become a problem.

Conclusion

• • Climate impacts both crops and livestock which ultimate impact agriculture output.

• Due to climate impact low yields reduce food supply to the populated world.

Authors: Ahmed Mukhtar and Talha Javed

Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad