Impact of Climate Change-Induced Rainfall on the Agriculture Pattern of Goa – A Geographical Perspective

Abstract

“Climate change poses a roadblock. The number of droughts increasing year after year. Climate change is not only affecting farmers, government officials, politicians, and lawmakers but also every citizen of the country. Many famous academicians are also opining that the recent onion and tomato crisis is an example of the challenge from climatic change”. Goa is a tiny emerald land situated well on the west coast of India. Apart from Mining, Tourism, and Fishing, Agriculture is one of the major occupations; it plays a crucial role in the economy of the State. The above-said occupations provided the main livelihood to rural, urban, and coastal populations. According to FAO (2018), the share of the agricultural population in the study area is less than 32% among the working population and accounts for just 16% of the GDP. The statistical data for the agricultural scenario in Goa is indicating that traditional agriculture is declining concerning the area as well as production. Though agriculture is the backbone of the State’s economy, which provides a source of livelihood to the majority of Goan people, it is now rapidly declining due to physical as well as cultural factors. Researchers clearly say that, global warming is also one such factor, which is responsible for the reduction in agricultural pursuits. The present study discusses the trends, growth, and impact of global warming and climate change on agriculture patterns in Goa. Farmers, academicians, scientists, and politicians of the State think that there is an impact of climate change and global warming on Goan agriculture. The study further revealed that there is a reduction in area under staple crops, and most significantly yield/productivity is also declining (Economic Survey, 2020-21). Given global warming and climate change, coastal plains are exhibiting various problems like floods and landslides. Government officials have already revealed that the land-use pattern has already taken place in the study area, and a lot of damage has taken place concerning forests and mangroves. These are the main concern for our study to know the agricultural activities in Goa are largely impacted by global warming and climatic changes. Hence, all the hypotheses quoted tested positive.