10.4.1.2 Farming system and cropping areas

Climate change can affect not only crop production per unit area but also the area of production. Most of the arable land that is suitable for cultivation in Asia is already in use (IPCC, 2001). A northward shift of agricultural zones is likely, such that the dry steppe zone in eastern part of Mongolia would push the forest-steppe to the north resulting in shrinking of the high mountainous and forest-steppe zones and expansion of the steppe and desert steppe (Tserendash et al., 2005). Studies suggest that by the middle of this century in northern China, tri-planting boundary will likely shift by 500 km from Changjiang valley to Huanghe basin, and double planting regions will move towards the existing single planting areas, while single planting areas will shrink by 23% (Wang, 2002). Suitable land and production potentials for cereals could marginally increase in the Russian Federation and in East Asia (Fischer et al., 2002).

More than 28 Mha in South and East Asia require a substantial increase in irrigation for sustained productivity (FAO, 2003). Agricultural irrigation demand in arid and semi-arid regions of Asia is estimated to increase by at least 10% for an increase in temperature of 1°C (Fischer et al., 2002; Liu, 2002). The rain-fed crops in the plains of North and North-East China could face water-related challenges in coming decades, due to increases in water demands and soil-moisture deficit associated with projected decline in precipitation (Tao et al., 2003b).

As land for agriculture becomes limited, the need for more food in South Asia could likely be met by increasing yields per unit of land, water, energy and time, such as through precision farming. Enhanced variability in hydrological characteristics will likely continue to affect grain supplies and food security in many nations of Asia. Intensification of agriculture will be the most likely means to meet the food requirements of Asia, which is likely to be invariably affected by projected climate change.