Climate change such as temperature deviation, precipitation deviation, droughts, flooding and others, has dependably been one of the calamity that gives negative effects to all. This phenomenon has accelerated throughout the years. However, many might still be uninformed of the consequences brought by climate change since it does not influence them significantly. Most people have encountered it directly or indirectly, should think about it in light of the fact that the impacts will be serious. Major impacts on agriculture might happen due to climate change. As a matter of fact, China is the major importer of feed grains in the world market. Agriculture in China has been a great platform for the country to gain attention from other clients as it is known to be the world’s largest agricultural economy. However, climate change has proven to be the main threat for the country to maintain its crops production. There are different results based on different studies found on the impacts of climate change. Thus, in this paper, the impacts of climate change on agriculture in China will be further discussed such as temperature deviation, precipitation deviation, seasonal droughts, flooding, decrease in food production and shortage of water. Some strategies to adaptation scenarios in response to this phenomenon also will be reviewed.
Temperature deviation variable is one of the concern that has been studied and it gives both positive and negative impacts in certain region. It is statistically significant in certain region while the others are not. According to studies, it states that net crop revenue in South China is more sensitive to the temperature variation than that in North China (Wang et al., 2014). Revenues of all farms in North China decreases, while in South China increase as it is more vulnerable to the temperature variation. However, Xin et al. (2013) concluded that increases in temperature would have a positive impact in agriculture with variations across regions. Yields increases in certain region at particular temperature, if not, it will be exceptionally harmful. Extremely high temperature are always harmful for growth of the crops. Some crops will increases or declines in production because of the difference in the soil quality. S. Chen, X. Chen and Xu (2014) found that increase in temperature will hurt the yield crops that is likely to decrease by 1-10% under various scenarios. However, it is felt that the negative impacts could be adapted by strengthening the water resources which later can improve the performance and condition of the farms to give greater results in increasing of grain production.
Secondly, seasonal droughts and floods are the natural disasters that extremely harmful to China’s agriculture. According to studies that were carried out under the scenarios of seasonal drought, Hebei, Anhui, Shandong, Henan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi and Yunnan Provinces will suffer spring drought while the others will experience summer drought (S. Zhou, W. Zhou, Lin, Chen, Jiang et al., 2017). Some will experience spring drought, summer drought or both droughts at the same time. S. Zhou et al. (2017) found that seasonal irrigation water supply in these provinces will reduce by 4.5% to 23.1%. The climate change not only increases the frequency of drought happens, but it also expands the affected areas to other regions. Furthermore, Li and Geng (2013) found that there have been a remarkable number of droughts and floods in China, meanwhile trends in heavy rainfall events leading to floods show high spatial heterogeneity. Hence, it is believed that some adaptations should be done to avoid any circumtances that might cause in further harmful effects to the grain production. As example, water-saving irrigation that ensure the water use efficiency will increase so that the farmers can improve the agricultural productivity during disasters.
Moreover, net revenues will be affected negatively or positively in certain regions by precipitation variation. According to studies, all farms in the north and south will be hurt by precipitation variation but more serious in the north (Wang et al., 2014). Farms in North China is more vulnerable to the precipitation variation while irrigated farms in the South China are more vulnerable to precipitation variation. However, precipitation deviation will hurt the rainfed farms in the north which are more vulnerable than the other one. However, Xin et al. (2013) illustrated that precipitation will benefits the wheat, corn and soybean production but hurts the rice production. It depends on the type of crop grains and soil quality because some of the crops are vulnerable to precipitation variation and some might be slightly affected. Thus, it is felt that precipitation variation gives both beneficial and harmful impacts depending on its region and it can be overcome by adaptations to the scenarios. Some adaptations should be done such as introducing new varieties that can increase the grain production and integrated scenario where we can find the combination of both water irrigation and new variety adoptions.
Furthermore, decrease in the food production will lead to economic loss due to decrease in the net crop revenue. In addition to that, limited crop grain production will lead to unsufficient food supply then results in many harmful effects to other parts. Li and Geng (2013) stated that limiting the crop grain production and food security may be harmful to the economy. Climate change may lead to reductions of crop grain production which is projected to be 4-14% for rice, 2-20% for wheat, and 0-23% for maize (Li & Geng, 2013). However, S. Chen et al. (2014) illustrated that it only applies to some regions depending on the latitude and availability of irrigation. Thus, it is believed that the shortage of food supply can be avoided by improving management related to water resources. This can be done through irrigation and not flooding which wastes water that might gives harmful effects to the crop grains. The farms need efficient water supply to ensure the healthy growth and better food supply to consumers.
Besides that, shortage of water resources is logically can lead to cause a major problem for crop grain revenues. This is because the crops need more water in order to increase the production. Some adaptations need to be done in order to avoid severe problems might happen in future that also can lead to economic loss. According to Li and Geng (2013), China has long emphasized the importance of enlarging regional water storage capacity, strengthening water resources and improving the management of infrastructure related to water resources. In addition, adjusting the cropping systems and using more irrigation in warmer growing seasons can maximize the net crop production (S. Chen et al., 2014). Therefore, it is concluded that the farmers need to focus on upgrading the crop systems and make adaptations in order to prepare for future impacts on crop yields. However, due to prolonged unsolved problems, it can cause economic loss which can lead to worse impacts in other aspects. So, some alternative ways should be done by the farmers as water is an important source for crop grain growth.
In conclusion, the climate change has indeed brought both positive and negative impacts that strongly affect the China’s agriculture. However, several strategies to overcome this severe problem need to be done to avoid any further loss that may affect the country’s reputation for being the world’s largest agricultural economy. The strategies should be done for both present and future needs to achieve a good adaptation in response to the climate change as it is natural disaster that cannot be prevented easily. Undoubtedly, climate change does not only affect China, most of the countries are experiencing and shouldering the aftermath brought by this phenomenon. Although your country might not be the victim of climate change for now, but in the future, no one would ever know. Therefore, people should contribute towards saving our Mother Earth. Climate change cannot be avoided easily but efforts should be paid attention by earthlings. Nowadays, many activities like deforestation, opening burning, excessive use of plastics, polluting the environment should be prohibited. A few regulations can help the environment and earth from pollutions. Thus, it it believed that if together all people can contribute simple kindness in order to save the planet, all can achieve healthy and euphonic life.