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Shifting from rice to climate-resilient cereals can boost farmer incomes in India: Study
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Wednesday, 12 March, 2025, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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A new study highlights that switching from rice cultivation to alternative cereals like millets, maize, and sorghum could significantly enhance farmers’ incomes while reducing climate-induced production losses in India.
Published in Nature Communications, the study finds that an optimized allocation of rice-growing areas towards alternative cereals could cut climate-related production losses by 11%. Additionally, these climate-resilient crops offer long-term economic benefits, making them a viable alternative to traditional rice farming.
The research was co-authored by experts from the University of Delaware, Columbia University, Politecnico di Torino, and the Indian School of Business (ISB). The study underscores that while rice has historically been the preferred crop due to its economic viability, its production is increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Meanwhile, alternative cereals demonstrate greater resilience to erratic weather conditions and hold the potential for higher profitability.
“Our research demonstrates that by strategically reducing rice cultivation and promoting alternative cereals, India can achieve greater stability in food production and improve farmer profitability—all without compromising total calorie output,” said lead author Dongyang Wei from the University of Delaware.
Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor at ISB, emphasized the need for policy reforms to encourage this transition. “This study highlights the importance of economic incentives and crop pricing structures in shaping farmers' decisions. Policy interventions that promote climate-resilient crops could lead to a more sustainable agricultural system.”
The findings offer crucial insights for policymakers as India navigates the twin challenges of climate change and food security.
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