more-inRising uncertainties in monsoon rainfall and rise in maximum temperature have cast a shadow over agricultural activities in Wayanad, the hub of coffee and spices cultivation in Kerala. Most of the temperature- sensitive crops grown in the district including coffee, tea, cardamom, paddy, banana, pepper, ginger and tubers have shown a decline in output, according to a research paper compiled by the Institute of Climate Change Studies, Kottayam. Wayanad has registered the highest rainfall deficit in Kerala, for the second consecutive year. Erratic changes in soil temperature and moisture have favoured the growth of soil pathogens and pests, leading to crop diseases affecting yield. The State Action Plan on Climate Change has identified Wayanad as one of the four climate change hotspots in Kerala, with a high degree of vulnerability to calamities like drought, forest fires and man- animal conflict.

Source: The Hindu August 27, 2017 14:26 UTC