Farm scientists asked to develop crops resistant to global warming

The Tribune , Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Correspondent : Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 3

Minister of science technology and environment Bikram Singh Majithia today called on farm scientists of the world develop strains of crops resistant to global warming.

Inaugurating a conference on climate change, biodiversity and food security in the South Asian regions organised by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) and the United National Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), here today Majithia said there were reports temperature of the earth could increase by 1 o C to 6 o C in 50 to 100 years.

Majithia said every 1 degree C rise in temperature could reduce global wheat production by four to five million tonnes impacting availability of food especially in poorer countries. He said changes in temperature and humidity could also affect production and quality of vegetables, fruits, basmati rice and medicinal plants in north Asia regions and crops like tea, coffee and spices in southern regions.

Cecelia Barberi, representing Unesco, New Delhi, highlighted global importance of the subject especially following global economic meltdown and urged states to act to prevent economic crises which could result in damage to natural resources due to excessive anthropogenic pressure on the environment.

Dr Neelima Jerath, additional director-environment and organising secretary of the conference said the government of India had prepared plan on climate change and eight national missions were being set up.

Nearly 150 scientists, environmentalists, representatives of government departments, NGOs, including 15 experts of international bodies and scientists from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ghana, Iran and Pakistan are attending the conference.

The focus areas of the conference include effect of climate change on major ecosystems and biodiversity, food security, livelihoods and socio-economic issues, economic challenges and carbon credit mechanisms, related to agriculture and Industry, development of region- specific strategies, policies and programmes, sustainable development and energy issues and research agenda.

 
SOURCE : Tuesday, 04 November 2008
 


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