A series of measures are needed to avoid the dangers posed to the agricultural sector by global warming

- It is also important that the results achieved by the Green Revolution in India do not go astray

Global food prices rose in August after falling for two consecutive months. Prices of sugar, edible oil and some cereals have risen, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Global production of cereals is expected to be 4.5 billion tonnes in the current year as against the earlier estimate of 2.81 billion tonnes. The Food and Agriculture Organization's food price index, which stood at 12.50 in July, rose to 13.30 in August. In August this year, foodgrain prices were 2.50 per cent higher than in August 2010.

The serial price index was up 2.50 per cent in August compared to July due to lower crop expectations among the world's major exporters. Wheat prices rose by 2.50 per cent month-on-month in August, while barley prices rose by 3 per cent. The FAO's sugar index was up 2.50% last month from July, following reports of crop damage in Brazil. Brazil is the largest exporter of sugar in the world. Due to concerns over production levels, palm oil prices have reached a historic high, pushing up edible oil prices by 3.50 per cent.

Cereal production is projected to decline due to persistent drought conditions in some major producing countries. Adverse weather conditions in the US, Canada, Kazakhstan and Russia have affected wheat production. The recent flood situation in some US cities has not been seen for more than 30 years. Which suggests that most countries in the world today are facing the problem of global warming. In addition to human life, global warming is also affecting agricultural crops. In some countries, excess rainfall has damaged crops, while in others, drought-like conditions have been observed. A recent report found that food prices in Sri Lanka have risen sharply. Drought-like conditions have also been reported in Afghanistan. The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued a stern warning regarding the dangers posed to mankind by climate change. Extreme levels of natural disasters, such as heat waves, floods, droughts, torrential rains, and hurricanes, have also been warned. The direct effect of climate change is seen on agricultural crops.

Corona had adversely affected most sectors of the country in the last financial year but the agricultural sector prevented the country's overall economy from weakening severely. Following the green revolution, India is becoming self-sufficient in foodgrains. We are currently a major exporter of rice. Due to abundant production of wheat and rice, the government manages to maintain its buffer stocks. India has revolutionized not only cereals and pulses but also fruits and vegetables.

A decade and a half ago, the then central government launched the National Horticulture Mission. The mission has been launched to increase the production of horticultural crops. The mission also aims to ensure that nutrients are available in the country. This mission has resulted in increased production of fruits and vegetables. In the year 2015-16, the production of fruits in the country was 2.50 crore tonnes and the production of vegetables was 16.12 crore tonnes. Due to the white revolution we are becoming the largest producer of milk in the world today. Due to the green revolution in the country and the use of modern technology in the field of agriculture, the agricultural sector is making a supportive contribution to the economy of the country.

The strong position in the agricultural sector poses a threat of climate change or global warming and if the country's policy makers do not wake up in time, food security in the country will be in jeopardy and the drought like seen in the 150's and 150's will not happen again. The Bengal famine of 18th and 19th is still in the news. Drought, excess rainfall, high temperatures, rising sea levels due to climate change will have to be addressed through science all over the world. Excessive rainfall in some US cities has signaled the effects of global warming on the world. The current year has seen progress in India since the kharif crop planting was weak at the beginning of the season and the sowing area has remained almost the same as last year, but there are concerns that crop yields may be affected due to unpredictability of rainfall or excessive rainfall.

Global warming is also seen to be taking away the electricity that is essential for human beings. The effects of climate change on power structures have recently led to power outages for several days in Texas, USA. A blizzard in Texas in February of this year forced millions to go without electricity. It would not be wrong to say that the time has come to build a cliff before climate change robs human life of food and pushes human beings back to the Stone Age.