Rice crops in India are being affected by an unknown disease, placing a strain on farmers who rely on these crops for their livelihoods.
According to The Shillong Times, "paddy fields across the plain belt region of Meghalaya" are losing 20-80% of their rice crops due to this mysterious disease.
What's happening?
Rajabala MLA Mizanur Rahman Kazi said, "The paddy crops look fine and normal from the outside, but the rice inside is not there."
According to Iowa State University, plants need three things to get a disease. First, the plant needs to be able to catch the disease. Second, the pathogen must already be present. Third, it requires favorable weather conditions for the disease to develop.
GeoPard Agriculture said some of those conditions are "low or high temperature and excess or lack of moisture."
Down to Earth reported that India's earliest heat wave was recorded in March 2025. Krishi Jagran also reported Meghalaya was forecasted to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall at the end of April.
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While weather events were already going to occur, rising temperatures intensify them. According to a blog post by Journalist and Tech investor Molly Wood, rising temperatures are like steroids for the weather.
Why is crop failure concerning?
The rice crop failure is "raising serious concerns over food security and economic stability in one of the state's most agriculturally productive areas," per The Shillong Times.
Kazi said the extent of the damage won't be clear until a formal survey is conducted.
What's being done about the crop failure?
Kazi contacted the sub-divisional officer of Dadenggre to get in touch with the Agriculture Department so an official investigation could occur to determine the cause. He also wrote a letter to the agriculture minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh, hoping for swift action.
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While the Indian farmers don't know what's happening with their crops, it's vital to explore critical climate issues to understand how to combat them.
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