Abstract

Analysis of long period data on temperature and rainfall in various climatic zones in India provides a strong indication of rising temperature and some signs of decline of rainfall, though there are regional deviations. We find indications that most of the leading crops in the country are likely to be adversely affected by higher temperatures or rainfall departures at some point in their growing period. In particular, rice appears to be vulnerable to temperature increase during the day as well as the night. However, in certain ways climate change may also offer favourable effects to crop yields.