India, March 19 -- Both Kharif and Rabi rainfall are expected to increase in the coming years due to climate change, leading to higher rates of soil erosion, stated by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union minister for rural development, told the Lok Sabha.

Kharif rainfall is expected to rise by 4.9-10.1 per cent and 5.5-18.9 per cent by 2050 and 2080, respectively, the minister said, citing data shared by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Rabi rainfall is anticipated to increase by 12-17 per cent and 13-26 per cent by 2050 and 2080, respectively.

This rise in rainfall could lead to soil erosion of 10 tonnes per hectare per year from croplands by 2050.

The area affected by salinity is also expected to grow from 6.7 million hec...