Overview

• Unseasonal rains and extreme heat in May damaged key crops in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, triggering widespread supply chain disruptions.
• Tomato prices have doubled and onion costs are set to rise further, contributing to a sharp uptick in national food inflation.
• Pest outbreaks thriving in warmer conditions and hailstorms in Haryana have further undermined oilseed and staple grain production.
• Data show that 80% of Indian farmers experienced crop losses from extreme weather events between 2019 and 2024, underscoring sector-wide vulnerability.
• Experts and MPs are urging adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties, an overhaul of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to cover long-term climate risks, and investments in resilient storage and transport infrastructure.