WEATHER EXTREMES AND AGRICULTURE

Abstract

Agricultural production is highly vulnerable to weather extremes. The changing patterns of these extreme events have significant implications on food security. Unprecedented weather extremes can strongly impact crop yield regionally and globally. The present study examines change in the frequency of extreme events (Floods, heat/cold waves, Tropical Cyclones and Lightning) over half a century from 1960 to 2016 and its effects on crop yield over India. The analysis aims at identifying the regions which are more susceptible to extreme events and the changing patterns in the occurrence of these events. Case studies to analyse the influence of the extremes on yields are also attempted for some of the regions with a high frequency of these events.