New Delhi, March 12 -- Traditional rice farming in India is now not only proving to be an obstacle in increasing farmers' income, but the impact of climate change has also made it an even more risky proposition. A recent study has claimed that if farmers in India turn to alternative cereals such as millets, maize and sorghum instead of rice cultivation, they can not only reduce the production loss caused by climate change but can also increase their income.

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, suggested that optimal allocation of rice area to alternative grains could reduce climate-induced production losses by up to 11 per cent. Also, a shift to alternative grains could increase farmers' net profits.

According to t...