CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPORTANCE OF CROP BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Climate change is a global phenomenon that is felt now at local level also. We all have been experiencing changes in the seasons. The winter is getting shorter, summer long and monsoon highly unpredictable. Our agriculture production has gone down and the cost of cultivation has increased. The improved crop varieties that we grow are not capable of withstanding the burden of climate change at all the places. Earlier the crop varieties were suitable for particular place. These varieties were developed through selection over a long period of time, to suit the climatic and edaphic condition of an area. Many of such traditionally developed varieties have disappeared during the last few decades as there were no takers for them. Under the present scenario it is highly advisable to protect such varieties from getting extinct. Also there is need to document, test and preserve such valuable crop biodiversity from getting extinct. These varieties are useful not only for food security but also for livelihood of many who are dependent on agriculture.