Climate change is increasingly affecting India's wheat production, which is a critical component of the country's food security. Several factors contribute to this challenge:

• Wheat is highly sensitive to high temperatures, especially during the grain-filling stage (February-March in North India).
• Studies suggest that every 1°C rise in temperature can reduce wheat yield by 4-6%.
• Heatwaves in recent years, such as the extreme heat in March 2022, led to significant yield losses.

• Unseasonal rains and hailstorms damage standing crops.
• Erratic monsoons affect soil moisture levels, impacting sowing and growth.
• Deficient winter rainfall reduces irrigation availability, especially in wheat-growing states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

• Continuous wheat cultivation depletes soil nutrients.
• Rising CO₂ levels may initially boost yields (CO₂ fertilization effect), but this is offset by heat stress and nutrient deficiencies.

• Climate change is exacerbating groundwater depletion in key wheat-producing states.
• Less snowfall in the Himalayas affects river flows, reducing irrigation water for wheat fields.

• Warmer temperatures favor pests like aphids and fungal diseases like rust.
• These outbreaks further reduce yield and grain quality.

• Climate-Resilient Varieties: New heat-resistant wheat varieties, such as DBW 187 and HD 3385, are being promoted.
• Crop Diversification: Farmers are being encouraged to grow less water-intensive crops.
• Improved Irrigation Practices: Drip and sprinkler irrigation methods help conserve water.
• Early Sowing: Advancing sowing dates by 10-15 days helps wheat avoid late-season heat stress.

Conclusion

Climate change poses a serious risk to India's wheat production, but adaptive strategies and sustainable agricultural practices can help mitigate these effects. Government policies, research advancements, and farmer awareness will be key to ensuring long-term wheat security.