Impact of climate variability and change on crop production in Maharashtra, India

This study estimates the possible effects of change in climatic factors on the production of major crops in Maharashtra, India. Daily precipitation, and minimum and maximum temperature simulated by a statistically downscaled MPI-ESM-MR model in NEX-GDDP archive have been used in the study. Under RCP4.5, the analysis suggests a significant reduction in the production of three major crops, viz. sugarcane, cotton and rice. This decline is prominent in central and central-east Maharashtra. These findings imply the need to improve and develop new seed varieties that can withstand drastic changes in climate and also give high yield to combat food security of an increasing population.