Air Pollution In India Reduces Wheat Production By Half: Study

According to a research, air pollution is adversely affecting the production of wheat in India. In fact, it has reduced the yield of wheat by almost 50%.

The research paper titled ‘Recent Climate and Air Pollution Impacts on Indian Agriculture’ analysed yields of wheat and rice for 30 years and found that air pollution led to reduction in production of wheat in densely populated states by almost half.

Black carbon and ground level Ozone were the main air pollutants that impacted the yield.

“Up to 90% losses were due to the direct effects of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) like smog,” said the paper authored by Jennifer Burney, an environmental scientist at University of California.

“Emissions of black carbon and ozone precursors have risen dramatically in India over the past three decades,” it added.

Scientists examined historical data on crop yields, emissions and precipitation to draw their conclusions.