Climate Vulnerability of India's Dairy Sector: Heatwaves and the 20% Decline in Milk Yield
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Record-breaking heatwaves in Northern India have caused a 15-20% drop in milk production due to cattle heat stress and fodder shortages. This highlights the urgent need for climate-resilient livestock management to protect rural livelihoods and food security.
The recent record-breaking heatwaves across Northern India, particularly in the dairy hubs of Punjab and Haryana, have triggered a significant crisis in the livestock sector, with milk production plummeting by an estimated 15-20%. This decline is not merely a seasonal fluctuation but a stark indicator of how extreme geophysical phenomena are reshaping the viability of India’s primary sector industries.
The drop in yield is primarily attributed to 'heat stress' in high-yielding cattle breeds. High ambient temperatures disrupt the thermoregulation of these animals, leading to reduced feed intake, altered metabolic rates, and diminished reproductive efficiency. Furthermore, the heatwave has severely impacted the availability of green fodder. Stunted crop growth and water scarcity have forced farmers to rely on dry fodder, which lacks the nutritional density required for optimal milk production. This dual blow—physiological stress on animals and nutritional deficits—has created a supply-side shock in the dairy market.
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