R. Patil, P. Rasagna Securing, harvest,breeding ,innovations ,drought-resilient 103-109 Volume 2 (4) July 2026 Climate change and the resulting rise in drought severity pose a growing threat to global crop productivity, with staple cereal yields already declining and rainfed systems such as Indiaand#39;s bearing a disproportionate burden. Water deficit disrupts plant function at every level, impairing photosynthesis, damaging reproductive development and triggering oxidative stress, ultimately eroding yield and quality.