Savage mode: Pests Flourish in Warmer World, Threatening Crop Yields and Food Security

In a changing climate characterized by rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns, pests are multiplying more rapidly, leading to significant damage to crops. This escalation poses threats to global food supplies and the overall yield of critical crops.

Southern Indian tea planters have recently reported increased havoc due to the tea mosquito bug, traditionally limited to low-elevation areas, now affecting high-elevation plantations as well. The impact is glaringly evident in Tamil Nadu’s Valparai hills, with tea production plummeting by 50% over a decade. Although new pesticides are being considered, they offer only a short-term solution to a problem exacerbated by global warming.

Moreover, pests, both old and new, have become menacing in areas like Rajasthan’s Alwar district. Despite the application of pesticides, farmers find themselves battling these invasive insects, with many witnessing unprecedented damage to their crops.

The issue is further complicated by the inability of farmers to recognize these new pests and the significant changes in their behavioral patterns. For instance, a rise in temperature encourages pests to overwinter at higher altitudes, shifting pest intensity from South to North. Furthermore, increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, a significant driver of climate change, also promotes the abundance and destructive behavior of these pests.

As pests become more resilient and widespread due to climate change, there’s a potential reduction in the effectiveness of natural predators, as well as pesticides and chemical fertilizers. This adaptation makes it challenging for traditional methods of pest control to remain effective.

It is estimated that a shift in the pest ecosystem and the potential increase in pest-related crop damage could jeopardize the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s goal of increasing food production by 50% by 2050. Such threats could even force countries to alter their cropping patterns or introduce crop holidays, which involve refraining from growing certain crops due to pest infestations.

In summary, in this warmer, wetter world, the proliferation of pests is a growing concern that not only threatens agricultural yield but also poses a significant challenge to global food security. Measures beyond short-term solutions are required to address this escalating issue.