Effects of Climate Change on Efficiency and Productivity of Wheat in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The most common economic risk is the natural disaster that is considered deadly for humanity because of the tremendous loss of agricultural land and lives. In the global climate index, Pakistan is in the 5th position among the most affected countries of the world by climate change. It is also estimated that there would be an increase in the rise of temperature till 2025. In Pakistan, the most affected crops due to climate are many, but the most prominent among them is wheat; giving rise to the issue of a shortage of food for the population of Pakistan either due to floods or droughts. Whereas Pakistan’s the 8th largest country on wheat production in the world. The current study target to focus on the factors affecting wheat production addressing climate conditions in one of the major provinces of Pakistan; Punjab. The study makes use of cross-sectional data and the secondary data was collected through a survey questionnaire designed to access factors (climate change) affecting the efficacy and productivity of wheat. The study was carried out on 70 participants from the Punjab Province, Pakistan. The responses were obtained from 70 farmers (participants) regarding their wheat production yearly, their land size, their profit and the effect of floods and droughts on their production process of wheat. From the responses obtained by the participants, it is concluded that 71.4 (71.4%) of the participant farmers agreed with droughts and floods affecting wheat crops. Whereas 97 (97%) agreed with the personal and economical loss they face because of floods and droughts.