Changes in temperature and precipitation during the monsoon season are impacting agriculture in the country, a local media outlet reported on Monday.
Shortage in the supply of canal water has prevented farmers in Punjab and Sindh from sowing their cotton for the Kharif season which is usually done at the end of April.
Such changes have raised fears among farmers that permanent changes in sowing crops may be a consequence of changing climate.
“Climate change is a reality and has drastically affected our agriculture, crop cycle, and production of rice, wheat and cotton,” said Pakistan Meteorological Department Director General Ghulam Rasul.
Pakistan’s annual average temperatures have increased by approximately 0.5 degree Celsius over the past three decades, according to a recent report by the Asian Development Bank. This has raised the number of heatwave days in the country over five times.
Another consequence of climate change are changes in river flows due to variations in melting of glaciers and precipitation.
Farmers have also expressed apprehension over changes in climate year after year preventing them from following a clear pattern to adapt to. Some farmers have also complained that detailed information and research is required over the matter and the government has not yet taken the necessary steps to help them adapt to climate change.
An inability to adapt to climate change will have serious consequences for agriculture in Pakistan and impact food security in the country in the future.
