Effect of Climate Change on Vegetable Production and Mitigation Strategies in India

Abstract

The Earth's climate system is undergoing a rapid transformation due to human activities, leading to climate change at an unprecedented pace. Climate change poses a serious threat to agriculture globally, with vegetable farming in India highly susceptible to climatic fluctuations. Vegetables, which are vital for food and nutritional security, are extremely sensitive to extreme temperatures, changed precipitation regimes, higher atmospheric CO₂ levels, and rising soil salinity. Such environmental stresses damage physiological, reproductive, and developmental processes, leading to reduced yields, lowered quality, and enhanced vulnerability to pests and diseases. While high CO₂ levels can promote growth in the short term, extended exposure tends to decrease the quality of crops. Moreover, catastrophic events like soil erosion, storms, hailstorms, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis bring about extensive physical damage to crops and degrade soil health, contributing further to food insecurity. India's vegetable sector, which depends largely on smallholder farmers, is especially vulnerable under these conditions. To counteract these effects, several adaptive measures have been suggested, such as taking up resource-saving agronomic options, organic farming promotion, water-use efficiency through drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, and implementation of vegetable grafting technology. Furthermore, the production of climate-resilient cultivars that are heat, drought, and salt tolerant is crucial for maintaining productivity in susceptible areas. An integrated strategy that merges technological innovation, sustainable agriculture practices, and support from policies is necessary to enhance the resilience of vegetable production systems. Vegetable farming must be tackled in relation to its impact on climate change in order to maintain long-term food and livelihood security in India.