January 27, 2010

Climate change likely to kill 20% of Russia's grain harvest

Russia is at risk of losing nearly 20% of its grain harvest annually in the next five to 10 years due to the global climate change and rising dryness in the country's southern regions.

The expected rise of climate dryness could reduce yield in the main grain producing regions of Russia, according to a report by the Russian hydrometeorological centre.

The potential annual losses of grain production volumes in the terms of keeping of the present system of land cultivation and crop selection will reach the level of 15-20% from the general grain production volumes in the nearest five to 10 years.

To control the situation, Russia must cultivate more thermophilic and drought-resistant crops, and increase irrigation work volumes, said the hydrometeorological centre.

As of December 1, 2009, Russia harvested 102.7 million tonnes of grain in bunker weight, or 95.7 million tonnes in clean weight.