It’s Time to Change the Direction of Agricultural Research

The future of agriculture depends not on controlling the climate but on adapting smartly to it.

In Maharashtra — especially in Marathwada, Solapur, Jalgaon, Ahilyanagar, parts of Vidarbha, and some talukas of Pune — unprecedented September rains caused massive destruction. Nearly 69,000 hectares of farmland were flooded, damaging crops like cotton, soybean, maize, pulses, vegetables, sweet lime, sugarcane, banana, mango, and grapes, with riverbank sugarcane fields worst hit.

Earlier, climate change mainly caused crop losses; this year, farmlands, wells, ponds, and livestock were also destroyed — a double blow. It is now clear that agricultural research must change course to better address such crises.

The changing climate

Climate change, driven by global warming, has brought delayed and shorter monsoons, long dry spells, fewer but heavier rains, cyclones, untimely harvest showers, hailstorms, milder winters with sudden cold waves, record heat, and erratic humidity. Though such patterns always existed, their frequency and intensity have surged since the early 21st century, now threatening farmers’ livelihoods and the future of agriculture.

Agriculture in Maharashtra is mostly rain-fed, with over 80% of farmers being small or marginal. Nearly a third of the state lies in a drought-prone rain-shadow zone. About 64% of its land has shallow to medium soil, and only 36% is truly fertile, keeping crop yields below the national average.For decades, the climate remained stable—monsoon, winter, and summer followed predictable patterns, allowing farmers to maintain consistent crops, livestock, and farming systems.

After Independence, India built a robust system of agricultural education and research, achieving self-sufficiency in food grains as well as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, and industrial raw materials. Farm exports brought in valuable foreign exchange. Despite rapid urbanisation and a fourfold rise in population, India made remarkable progress.

Monsoon lessons

This year, Maharashtra’s monsoon arrived early in May, bringing above-average rainfall across most regions. Continuous rain stalled farm work, caused heavy weed growth, and triggered pest and disease outbreaks. Short-duration kharif crops like moong, urad, sesame, and bajra were damaged during harvest. When the rains briefly paused, the retreating monsoon returned, destroying ready soybeans and maize. Overflowing reservoirs released excess water, submerging riverbank crops and eroding topsoil.Tall, late crops such as cotton and pigeon pea now risk stem and root rot or wilt if water stagnates. Horticultural crops—orange, sweet lime, lemon, and pomegranate—also suffered severe waterlogging losses. Oxygen-starved roots hinder nutrient uptake, causing yellowing, dieback, leaf and fruit drop, and, with prolonged flooding, even tree death.

Redefining damage assessment

Excess rainfall is a national calamity, and compensation should therefore be shared by both central and state governments. Yet, crop losses that appear later are often missed in initial assessments. Damage criteria must be revised, with reinspections or fresh surveys where needed.Crop surveys should go beyond noting crop type and area. Using satellite and drone imagery, officials can track each farm’s condition, compare expected and actual yields, and update land records (7/12 extracts). This would ensure compensation and insurance reflect actual losses instead of uniform payouts to all farmers.

Long-term measures

Soil erosion is a grave concern, as it takes centuries to form even a centimetre of fertile topsoil. Land restoration for farmers who have lost it should use silt from dams or lakes, with embankments rebuilt under the Employment Guarantee Scheme at government cost.Similarly, full financial aid should cover repairs to wells, farm ponds, houses, and cattle sheds, along with fair compensation for lost livestock.To offset the impact of climate fluctuations on yield and crop quality, agricultural research must focus on developing and delivering practical solutions to farmers.

The state’s agricultural universities and scientists should refocus on:

1) Development of improved crop varieties

Rather than concentrating on early-maturing, high-yielding varieties dependent on irrigation and chemical fertilisers, we must develop climate-resilient crops that can withstand stresses, offer better nutrition, and respond effectively to bio-inputs (microbial and organic fertilisers) for higher yields at lower costs.

2) Conservation agriculture

Develop technologies that prevent soil erosion, improve soil fertility, optimise available moisture, and reduce cultivation costs.

3) Integrated, chemical-residue-free farming

Encouraging farmers to combine crop cultivation with allied activities—such as horticulture, greenhouse or shade-net vegetable farming, seed production, dairy, goat rearing, poultry, or sericulture—can reduce risk and promote sustainable, residue-free farming. Adopting such self-reliant systems is now crucial for farmers’ survival.

Maharashtra’s shifting climate shows that traditional farming can no longer sustain livelihoods. A climate-resilient, diversified, and tech-driven approach is vital to safeguard farmers and the agrarian economy. The future of farming now rests on smart adaptation, not weather control.

(The writer is an expert in agriculture. Views personal.)