In Changing Climate, Scientists Develop Stronger Seeds for India
2024-10-09
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1Unpredictable rains and increasing heat are making life more difficult for the people of Rayanpet, a village in southern India.
2The conditions are also damaging the rice crops grown there.
3P. Ravinder Reddy, a former soldier, started farming on his family's land 16 years ago.
4He said, "We used to know when it would rain and for how long."
5That meant they used to know when to plant.
6Now, he said, it is not so predictable.
7Sometimes there is too much rain.
8Sometimes there is no rain at all.
9Agricultural research organizations in India have been working for years to engineer rice seeds that can survive in a changing climate.
10Reddy has been experimenting with new kinds of rice for the past five years.
11The new rice plants are producing more grain with less water.
12They are also more disease resistant.
13Reddy says he has planted them across part of his 10-hectare field.
14He still grows some of the older kinds because there is a demand for them.
15But he said, "I think in a few years, we will use only these tougher seeds."
16India is one of the world's largest producers and consumers of wheat and rice.
17Research organizations in that country and around the world have worked for years to produce seeds that are better able to handle drought, unseasonal rains, plant diseases and more.
18Earlier this year, a United Nations report said more than 700 million people suffered from hunger last year.
19More than one-third of the worldwide population does not have the money to buy healthy foods.
20India has nearly 120 million farmers. Most have less than two hectares of land.
21Unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures and increased pest problems all threaten their ability to grow food.
22Experts say the dangers to rice include increasing salt content in groundwater, heavy rainfall over short periods, long periods of drought and increasing nighttime temperatures.
23Some farmers are turning to methods of natural farming to deal with climate change.
24But that can mean reduced yields.
25India's federal government is also urging the use of climate-resilient seeds that result in better yields.
26Ashok Kumar Singh is former director of New Delhi-based Indian Agriculture Research Institute.
27He has overseen the creation of many successful rice varieties that withstand pests and plant diseases.
28His organization has helped release more than 2,000 climate-resilient kinds of seed in the last 10 years.
29"We really need these seeds to deal with these multiple issues created by global warming," Singh said.
30Earlier this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 109 climate-resilient seeds for several different crops.
31India's federal government has announced plans to make sure at least 25 percent of rice-growing fields in the country will be planted with climate-resilient seeds in the coming winter crop season.
32In Rayanpet village, Reddy is preparing to plant rice seeds for the winter season in a few weeks.
33"It is good to keep trying new seeds, as after some time all of them will have some issue or the other," Reddy said.
34"If the government can also make sure we get good prices for our crops after harvest, that would help farmers like us a great deal."
35I'm Jill Robbins.
1Unpredictable rains and increasing heat are making life more difficult for the people of Rayanpet, a village in southern India. The conditions are also damaging the rice crops grown there. 2P. Ravinder Reddy, a former soldier, started farming on his family's land 16 years ago. He said, "We used to know when it would rain and for how long." 3That meant they used to know when to plant. Now, he said, it is not so predictable. Sometimes there is too much rain. Sometimes there is no rain at all. 4Agricultural research organizations in India have been working for years to engineer rice seeds that can survive in a changing climate. Reddy has been experimenting with new kinds of rice for the past five years. The new rice plants are producing more grain with less water. They are also more disease resistant. 5Reddy says he has planted them across part of his 10-hectare field. He still grows some of the older kinds because there is a demand for them. But he said, "I think in a few years, we will use only these tougher seeds." 6India is one of the world's largest producers and consumers of wheat and rice. Research organizations in that country and around the world have worked for years to produce seeds that are better able to handle drought, unseasonal rains, plant diseases and more. 7Earlier this year, a United Nations report said more than 700 million people suffered from hunger last year. More than one-third of the worldwide population does not have the money to buy healthy foods. 8Defending against climate shocks 9India has nearly 120 million farmers. Most have less than two hectares of land. Unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures and increased pest problems all threaten their ability to grow food. 10Experts say the dangers to rice include increasing salt content in groundwater, heavy rainfall over short periods, long periods of drought and increasing nighttime temperatures. 11Some farmers are turning to methods of natural farming to deal with climate change. But that can mean reduced yields. India's federal government is also urging the use of climate-resilient seeds that result in better yields. 12Government research support 13Ashok Kumar Singh is former director of New Delhi-based Indian Agriculture Research Institute. He has overseen the creation of many successful rice varieties that withstand pests and plant diseases. His organization has helped release more than 2,000 climate-resilient kinds of seed in the last 10 years. 14"We really need these seeds to deal with these multiple issues created by global warming," Singh said. 15Earlier this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 109 climate-resilient seeds for several different crops. India's federal government has announced plans to make sure at least 25 percent of rice-growing fields in the country will be planted with climate-resilient seeds in the coming winter crop season. 16In Rayanpet village, Reddy is preparing to plant rice seeds for the winter season in a few weeks. 17"It is good to keep trying new seeds, as after some time all of them will have some issue or the other," Reddy said. "If the government can also make sure we get good prices for our crops after harvest, that would help farmers like us a great deal." 18I'm Jill Robbins. 19Sibi Aras reported this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. 20______________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22tough - adj. strong and not easily broken or damaged 23consumer - n. a person who buys goods and services 24drought - n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain 25pest - n. an animal or insect that causes problems for people 26yield - n. the amount of something that is produced by a plant, farm, or the like 27issue - n. problem or concern 28especially by damaging crops 29resilient - adj. able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens 30What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section.