Climate change and agriculture in a coastal region: A case study of betel leaf cultivation in Sagar Island, Kakdwip, South 24 Parganas

Abstract

Agriculture is a function of temperature and precipitation. Any change in these parameters, above and below the threshold value, will affect photosynthesis and transpiration in the crops, leading to an overall negative impact on agriculture, threatening global food security. Underdeveloped and developing worlds are most likely to be affected due to this situation because more than 80% of the population in this area is economically dependent on agriculture. With this background in mind, the present study attempts to delve into the impact of climate change on betel leaf cultivation in the study area because it forms the backbone of the local economy. Low lying coastal areas bear testimony of the primary evidences of climate change. The study area, therefore, is an ideal location to study the impact of climate change as it is situated in the path of frequent extreme weather phenomena. Such areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change in the form of sea level rise in response to increased precipitation resulting out of rise in temperature. The sensitivity of betel leaf to minor fluctuations in climatic parameters and its economic importance in the selected study area justifies the theme of enquiry. The present paper analyses meteorological data on temperature and rainfall along with field observation to investigate the issue. Given the sensitivity of betel leaf to such changes, an adverse impact on its production seems inevitable. However, findings of the present study prove otherwise. Firstly because the rise in temperature is less than 1.5 degree centigrade, which according to IPCC is the threshold value for impact on agriculture. Secondly, the adoption of adaptive strategies like use of fertilizer, soil treatment etc. practiced in the area largely offsets the adverse impact of climate change on crop production. However, the impacts are not entirely escapable.