Stakeholder workshop held on impact of climate change on cotton production
A stakeholder workshop was conducted by Reviving Green Revolution (RGR) Cell focused on ‘Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Cotton Production in Punjab’, at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).
The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including cotton farmers, academicians, government officials, ginners and civil society organisations, to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change on the state’s cotton sector. With the state’s cotton production highly sensitive to changing environmental conditions, the discussions focused on identifying these challenges and exploring adaptation strategies.
The workshop was featured with insights from leading experts on the subject, including Dr BM Sharma, Chairman of the Punjab State Food Commission; Dr Kater Hake, former vice-president of Agricultural and Environmental Research, ICAC; Dr Sandeep Kapoor, Dr Gurbinder Gill, Dr D K Benbi, Dr Vijay Kumar and other leading experts from the PAU. The sessions aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the climate-driven risks to cotton and how they can be mitigated. The event provided a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and joint action, setting the stage for concerted efforts to safeguard Punjab’s cotton sector against the growing threat of climate change.
During the workshop, stakeholders identified key concerns such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, water scarcity and increasing pest and disease outbreaks, all of which are severely affecting cotton yields in Punjab.
Discussions highlighted several adaptation strategies, like development of short duration varieties, promotion of high-density plantation, adoption of pest- and drought-resistant cotton varieties, improved irrigation techniques, and sustainable farming practices like low tillage, judicious use of fertilizers, etc.
Farmers shared their experiences of implementing these practices, emphasising the importance of access to climate-resilient technology. The workshop also shed light on the efforts of the government and market players in providing financial and technical assistance to farmers. State government representatives outlined ongoing schemes that support cotton growers in managing climate risks.
