Challenges and Opportunities in Vegetable Production in Changing Climate: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

A considerable change in climate at globally will impact the vegetable cultivation as well as overall agriculture; thus affecting the whole chain of world food. Itself change in climate is not so much harmful but the extreme events such as irregular rainfall patterns, high and low temperatures that are difficult to forecast and reduce crop productivity. Any sudden changes in climatic factors like change in temperature, erratic precipitation can affect the different growth stages of plant growth like pollination, flowering, fruit setting, development and ripening because of succulent (have 90% water) and sensitive nature of vegetables towards climate change. The irregular precipitation also causes the soil salinity and is major challenge in many vegetable growing areas. Development of adequate adaptation strategies is one of most important need to stand against the adverse situation and the preference should be given on development of heat, cold, drought, flood and salinity stress tolerant genotypes along with climate proofing through traditional and advanced breeding techniques. In India, according to existing events the occurrence and intensity of climate related natural hazards are increasing due to which potential threat caused by climate change related to natural disasters got increased; moreover Bihar is also affected by these hazard. Bihar is mainly affected by hydro-meteorological natural disasters, like North Bihar is mainly affected by flooding whereas, South Bihar by drought and heat stress due to the recent climatic change.