Rising temperatures and air pollution could cut rice yields by up to 75 per cent in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh by 2035, while yields in Gangetic Bengal are likely to remain stable, new research suggests. Scientists have long known that rising temperatures can disrupt rice growth at critical stages. In contrast, the lower Gangetic plains — mainly Bengal — show little to no decline in rice yields under projected changes in temperature and air pollution. "Similar exercises have earlier predicted a 2 to 10 per cent decrease," said Pratap Bhattacharyya, head of crop production, at the Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack. He said efforts are underway to develop short-duration, heat-tolerant rice varieties that may help improve resilience to changing climate conditions.

Source: The Telegraph March 30, 2026 11:18 UTC