Thrissur: Even though the basic agricultural practices in Kerala are disrupted due to unexpected weather conditions, the agricultural calendar is yet to be scientifically modified. This is owing to the imprecise climatic changes. The sporadic changes of seasonal ‘Njattuvela’ negatively impacts agriculture. 

According to the age-old calendar, abundant rain is expected only in the last days of the Thiruvathira Njattuvela, which extended from 22 June to 6 July this time. Heavy rains are expected in the Makayiram, Punartham and Thiruvathira Njattuvelas. But in most years, these fortnights pass without much rain. 

Paddy cultivation is often delayed for one to two months due to this climate change. This also affects the crops grown in the Virippu (I crop/autumn), Mundakan (II crop/winter) and Puncha (III crop/summer).

 As evidenced in past years,  unexpected rains cause  the paddy sapling to go bad and they often have to be replanted 8-10 times. Pests are also increasing due to the changes in rainfall. The attacks of armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Pattala puzhu) and paddy leafroller (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) waged issues for the cultivators in the previous years. 

“The calendar needs to be updated but the losses can be reduced only if agriculture is adapted to recent climate changes. This requires a change in the agricultural calendar. Unpredictable climate change is the challenge here. In depth study is required to understand how agriculture today can be adapted according to climate change”, Dr Gopakumar Chola, a Agroclimatologist said.