Impact of Climate Change Dynamics on Sustainable Horticultural Practice in India

Climate change, driven by the rise in global temperatures due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, is a significant threat to both advanced and emerging economies. India, grappling with a burgeoning population and escalating greenhouse gas emissions, has experienced notable shifts in climatic patterns. In 2018, India emitted 2,299 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, underlining a pressing concern. Horticulture, encompassing various crops like vegetables, fruits, and medicinal plants, plays a vital role in sustainable development by offering nutritional security, employment, and economic prosperity. However, changing climatic conditions pose a threat, leading to diseases and reduced crop yields, disrupting sustainable development goals. To combat climate change's adverse effects and ensure sustainable development, climate-resilient pathways are crucial. These pathways involve adaptive strategies that mitigate climate change impacts while fostering effective institutions and strategies for risk management. They aim to reduce vulnerabilities, enhance coping mechanisms, and continuously adapt to evolving circumstances within complex socio-ecological systems. The economic impact of climate change on horticulture is anticipated to affect productivity, prices, demand, supply, and trade. Timely adaptive and mitigative actions are imperative at both the farm level and among policymakers. Small and marginal farmers should be empowered to cope with climate adversities. Ultimately, adaptation and mitigation strategies are paramount in enhancing climate resilience, reducing vulnerability, and promoting sustainable development in the face of climate change.