Impacts of Spatio-Temporal Changes in Rainfall and Temperature on Different Crops in Selected Districts of Punjab, Pakistan
Impacts of Spatio-Temporal Changes in Rainfall and Temperature on Different Crops in Selected Districts of Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Waqar Yasin*, Mobushir Riaz Khan and Muhammad Amin
ABSTRACT
This study ponders the effect of changes in rainfall and temperature of Punjab, Pakistan on the production of five major crops viz. wheat (triticum), maize (zea mayes), cotton (gossypium), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and gram (Cicer arietinum). Firstly, changes in mean temperature and rainfall from 1951 to 2015 were assessed at district level. Secondly, the changes in crop performance were computed through remote sensing and crop reporting data obtained from the agriculture department, Government of Punjab, Pakistan. Lastly, changes in crop performance (what does performance mean here!!) were compared with changes in studied climate variables (temperature and rainfall). It was found that increased in mean annual temperature decreased the crop yield. In addition, the climatic variation imparts negatively on studied crop production in the Central Punjab (i.e. Jhang) and southern Punjab (i.e. Bahawalnagar) parts and a positive effect in the northern Punjab (i.e. Attoack and Chakwal) Parts. It is therefore, suggested that various agriculture departments be educated regarding outcomes / conclusions of this paper so that formers be trained to take necessary precautions while looking after their crops at different stages of crop cycle regarding these climatic variables i.e. temperature and rainfall.
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