Farmers in India turn to climate-resilient seeds to combat heat and erratic rainfall

Facing unpredictable weather and rising temperatures, Indian farmers are increasingly relying on climate-resilient seed varieties to ensure stable crop yields despite the challenges posed by climate change.

Sibi Arasu reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

Farmers in India's arid regions struggle with unpredictable rainfall and heat, impacting traditional rice farming methods.
Agricultural research has developed resilient seeds that use less water, withstand heat and are more resistant to disease.
India's government is promoting these new seeds, aiming to use them on 25% of rice fields by the next winter crop season.

Key quote:

“We really need these seeds to deal with these multiple issues created by global warming.”

— Ashok Kumar Singh, former director of New Delhi-based Indian Agriculture Research Institute

Why this matters:

With climate change threatening food security, developing and distributing climate-resilient seeds is critical to sustaining crop production and feeding India’s vast population. This strategy could also serve as a model for other climate-vulnerable regions.

apnews.com

Farmers in India turn to climate-resilient seeds to combat heat and erratic rainfall

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