Sorghum: India's Sustainable Alternative to Wheat in a Changing Climate
As climate change continues to raise temperatures, experts warn of the potential impact on wheat production, particularly in wheat-growing countries like India. Their fears have materialized as a multinational research team uncovers wheat's susceptibility to soaring daily temperatures during crucial growth stages in the post-monsoon and dry winter season.
According to the paper's findings, wheat yields are projected to decrease by 5% by 2040, accompanied by a significant increase in water usage. In contrast, sorghum emerges as India's saving grace, with a mere 4% increase in water consumption under the same climate projections. India, the second-largest wheat producer globally, stands at a critical juncture in its agricultural landscape.Â
With sorghum shining as a beacon of hope in an uncertain climate, India's agricultural landscape may witness a transformative shift, fostering sustainability and ensuring a more resilient food system for future generations.
Resilient grain sorghum
Sorghum is ready to take center stage as a viable alternative. This resilient grain has shown a remarkable ability to withstand temperature increases with minimal yield impact. It also boasts a significant advantage over wheat—it requires a mere 1.4 times less water due to its shorter growth cycle, which concludes before the scorching summer heat takes hold. The groundbreaking study, conducted by esteemed researchers from Columbia University, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Indian School of Business, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, has recently been published in Nature's Scientific Reports. Titled "Climate Resilience of Dry Season Cereals in India," the paper explores the sensitivity of wheat and sorghum yields to temperature increases and examines their water requirements under various scenarios.According to the paper's findings, wheat yields are projected to decrease by 5% by 2040, accompanied by a significant increase in water usage. In contrast, sorghum emerges as India's saving grace, with a mere 4% increase in water consumption under the same climate projections. India, the second-largest wheat producer globally, stands at a critical juncture in its agricultural landscape.Â
40% increase in wheat production
While wheat production in India has witnessed a staggering 40% increase since the early 2000s, it is essential to exercise caution. Experts have long cautioned against expanding wheat cultivation from the cooler northern regions into hotter parts of the country. The study echoes these concerns, underlining the necessity for climate-resilient strategies for cereals grown during the rabi season. Moreover, scientists and activists advocate diversifying kharif cereals away from an overdependence on paddy. In addition to sorghum, millet crops such as pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, and barnyard millet are proposed as suitable alternatives to rice or wheat.With sorghum shining as a beacon of hope in an uncertain climate, India's agricultural landscape may witness a transformative shift, fostering sustainability and ensuring a more resilient food system for future generations.