Climate change is already affecting agriculture, with adverse effects on agricultural produce and quality of soil, the effects are unevenly distributed.

There is an optimal temperature for a variety of vegetative growth but this is also disturbed due to fluctuations in the temperatures. As per my recent experience, and interactions with a couple of farmers across the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat, I have seen and heard a lot of issues these local farmers are facing.

The effect of climate on agriculture here is variable. Despite the government’s various agricultural policies to improve the produce and overall health of the soil, every farmer's hard work goes in vain due to this.

Even they are aware of climate change but they aren’t able to convey their problems to the authority and masses. And for better and high produce the excessive use of fertilizer and other chemicals are making the degradation of soil nutrients is another headache for them.

As there was extreme cold temperature falling up to negative this year beyond average, they have lost most of the produce like gooseberry getting dried or not full filing their full growth even losing their taste.

Vegetation like onions, garlic, carrots, fenugreek, radish and green grams all have been impacted the only farms I saw in full bloom were mustard (Sarson) but even more than average of the mustard pods were empty. These farmers are the most affected by this because they are dependent on their own farm produce.

All climate prediction model that there will be more extreme weather which will result in droughts, excess rainfall, hailstorms, extreme cold. Such conditions will give rise to various diseases there imposing severe risk or potential crop failure.

The rise in temperature will affect the wheat-growing region placing millions of people on the brink of chronic hunger.

Climate change has a direct impact on crop evapotranspiration (ET). In arid regions of Rajasthan state, an increase of 14.8 percent in total ET demand has been projected with an increase in temperature.

As we all are aware of climate change we should be their voice and come forward because they are the one who are working hard in extreme weather so that maximum people don’t sleep hungry, bring this issue in front of government and authorities ask them to declare a climate emergency and work towards mitigating the effects of climate change.

(Harshit is a synergist working for sustainable living and renewable energy. His Instagram and Twitter.)

(The views expressed in the article are the author’s own. Let Me Breathe neither endorses nor is responsible for them.)