India’s Monsoon Is Changing, And It’s Reshaping Agriculture And Climate Resilience

The fallout from this unpredictable monsoon is nothing short of alarming. A report revealed that extreme weather phenomena struck 235 out of 273 days in the initial nine months of the year,2024 wreaking havoc on 1.84 million hectares of farmland. In the summer monsoon of 2024, three major extreme rainfall events caused devastating flooding across western, southern, and northern states. This climatic turmoil creates a frustrating "too much, too little, too late/early" challenge for farmers, rendering conventional farming timelines and water management practices progressively obsolete.

Amid rising climate issues, biological inputs like biofertilizers, biopesticides, and biostimulants are essential for enhancing climate resilience and food security. These eco-friendly alternatives to chemical inputs align with sustainable agriculture principles. Biofertilizers improve soil health, structure, and water retention, helping crops endure unpredictable monsoon patterns. They decrease reliance on chemical fertilisers, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing pollution. By fostering carbon sequestration and boosting microbial diversity, biofertilizers enhance agriculture's adaptability to climate change. Microbial inoculants, particularly Plant Growth Promotion Microorganisms (PGPMs), are crucial for revitalising soil health, vital for climate resilience. They help to conserve useful microorganisms, improving soil structure and water retention through the secretion of bioactive compounds. They also help promote water infiltration and reduce runoff and erosion during intense rainfall. The use of biofertilizers enables progressive, eco-friendly agriculture and sustains food production under a shifting climate.

Research from 2024 shows a substantial rise in microbial organic carbon (+224.1% with CFMI-8 microbial consortium) and improved soil enzyme activities, suggesting a more active and functional soil ecosystem. Additionally, studies indicate that microbial inoculants can boost soil carbon stock and microbial biomass carbon. PGPMs also improve nutrient availability and uptake efficiency through key processes like nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and siderophore production. However, climate change can disrupt these beneficial activities. For instance, increased temperatures can alter microbial community structures, favouring thermophilic microbes while potentially reducing the diversity of other beneficial species.

Changes in rainfall frequency may restrict the enzyme action and microbial proliferation due to changes in soil moisture content, which in turn affects nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition processes. Extreme conditions such as extended drought or flood may significantly impact microbial communities, causing reduced soil activity and adversely affecting soil health. Some microorganisms can withstand higher temperatures; however, an increase in temperature can completely disrupt ecosystem services as a whole. By inducing systemic resistance and optimising nutrient use, biostimulants and microbial inoculants enhance plants' resilience to dry spells, excessive heat, cold temperatures, and saline conditions by acting on natural plant processes.

Ultimately, the best approach for India to address the difficulties brought on by unpredictable monsoons and extreme weather is through the use of biological solutions, making their rapid implementation crucial. By embracing these nature-based strategies, India can create a sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural future, ensuring food security for its growing population.