STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS ON CROP PRODUCTION IN KARIMNAGAR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

There is considerable evidence that climate change will result in changes of temperature and precipitation patterns. Crops are directly affected by the impacts of high temperatures, changed pattern of precipitation and also possibly increased frequency of extreme events such as drought and floods. The objectives of this study are to examine the effect of climatic variables on crop production in Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Climate response functions to crop productivity have been estimated using regression models, weather variables, fertilizers and labour inputs. The data sets are created for the period 1984 - 2009 for 57 mandals of the district. The impact on crop productivity has been estimated for four crops and the results indicate on an average 82% of variation. The contribution of agricultural productivity to the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is also calculated using Ordinary Least Square model. The results show the R2 value varies from 0.22 to 0.54 and 0.72 to 0.78 without and with GDP respectively.