For many years, agriculture relied on a predictable pattern. Seasons followed a certain rhythm, and farmers planted their crops with confidence gained from years of experience. This predictability is fading fast. Climate change is no longer just an issue for policymakers and scientists. It now plays a crucial role in what farmers choose to grow, how they cultivate it, and what they ultimately harvest.
The years 2024 and 2025 have seen record-breaking heatwaves, unusual rainfall, floods, dry spells, and hailstorms. These events show a new reality. The current success of crops does not just depend on quality seeds, fertilisers, and farming practices. It increasingly hinges on climate change.
Among the most direct effects of extreme weather is the increased uncertainty in crop yields. Heat stress during key growth stages, such as flowering and grain formation, has harmed productivity in cereals, vegetables, and horticultural crops. Unseasonal rainfall has delayed sowing in some areas and damaged existing crops in others. Excessive rainfall during harvest has led to significant post-harvest losses.
