FARMERS’ PERCEPTION OF & ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN DISTRICT RAMBAN OF JAMMU & KASHMIR

Abstract

The nexus of climate change and agriculture is becoming more intense and having catastrophic impacts on food and nutritional security especially in developing countries. Amongst the developing countries, India has been recognized as one of the most vulnerable developing countries towards climate change risks. This research paper highlights the impact of climate change on environment as well as on agriculture and various adaptation measures taken by the farming community. As far as impact of Climate change is concerned, the data from the research study reveals that 84% of the respondents believed that the pre monsoon showers are now absent. Regarding the change in rainfall pattern, 82% farmers were of the opinion that the rainfall is untimely. Similarly, about the impact of climate change on agriculture, 62% of the farmers had observed emergence of new insect-pests and diseases due to climate change from last few years. Failure of seeds to germinate (especially maize) was also reported by 84% of the respondents. In case of vegetables 44% of respondents told that there is increased vegetable seedlings mortality rate due to increased temperatures. Decrease in yield was reported by 94% of the farmers. The various adaptation strategies include late sowing, resowing, conservation practices like mulching and drip/sprinkler irrigation, growing of vegetables and pulses and a shift towards natural farming.