Threats of tropical cyclone on cropping systems and crop calendar of rice in India: Issues, policy practice gap and adaptation strategies

Abstract

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has calculated that by 2050, we will need to grow 60 % more food to provide for a population of 9.3 billion people worldwide. India must increase its yearly food grain production from the current level of 252–333 million tonnes by 2050 in order to fulfil its expanding population demand. India is one of the nations most at risk from climate change due to its geophysical location and variability. This research explored the impact of cyclonic storm surges on crop calendars (‘Aman’ and ‘Boro’ rice) and also suggested adaption strategies during these conditions. This study showed that alteration of contemporary rice sowing and harvesting dates significantly impacts achieving sustained yields, surpassing all other crop management, soil, and other criteria. The origin and landfall of the cyclone of the Bay of Bengal (BoB) in pre- and post-monsoon season impede the goal of optimal rice production in Eastern and south-eastern India. We have estimated that ‘Rabi’ and ‘Kharif” rice production potential will increase by about 29 % with attainable changes to rice sowing and harvesting dates incorporating the severe cyclonic storm (SCS) landfall and rainfall in the study area. Our results also show that transformational benefits in rice yields are only possible in India if the convectional crop calendar changes with the modern scientific crop calendar. Managing the seasonal cropping calendar more effectively can benefit food security, economic success, and climate adaptability rice seed as a method for adaptation to ongoing climate change.