Heat Stress & Agriculture: UN-ESCAP Warns India Among Top 5 High-Risk Nations

Key Findings of the UN-ESCAP 2025 Report

A recent report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) 2025 identifies India among the top five countries globally at highest risk from agricultural heat stress.
According to the report (as summarised by PMF IAS):

• Under multiple emission and climate-change scenarios, heat-stress exposure is expected to intensify.
• India’s agricultural productivity losses could rise sharply due to extreme heat and humidity levels.
• Rural livelihoods — heavily dependent on climate-sensitive sectors — face growing vulnerability.
• The risk to food security, especially in densely populated regions, may increase significantly in coming decades.

What This Means for India

India’s agriculture sector, which employs nearly half of the workforce, is highly vulnerable to temperature rise and erratic climate patterns. The findings imply:

1. Threat to Productivity and Crop Yields

Rising wet-bulb temperatures could reduce efficiency in field work, lower crop output, and cause higher irrigation demand.

2. Risk to Rural Livelihoods

Small and marginal farmers may experience greater economic instability due to reduced yields and higher input costs.

3. Impact on Food Security

A decline in production of staples such as wheat, rice, and pulses may deepen food insecurity and increase dependence on imports.

4. Stress on Water Resources

Heat stress may exacerbate groundwater depletion and reduce surface water availability, further impacting agriculture.

What India Needs to Do

To mitigate risks, the report emphasizes adopting climate-resilient agricultural strategies, including:

• Climate-smart farming practices — micro-irrigation, precision farming, mulching.
• Heat-resilient crop varieties and diversified crop patterns.
• Improved early-warning systems for heatwaves.
• Policy support — targeted subsidies, crop insurance, and climate adaptation funds.
• Strengthening rural safety nets to protect vulnerable communities.