Impact of Climate Change on Rice Production and Local Adaptation Practices Adopted by Farmers in Surkhet, Nepal

Abstract

A total of 120 sample households were randomly selected from two municipalities of Surkhet for this study. The primary data were collected by survey questionnaire, direct observation, FGD whereas secondary data of rainfall temperature and rice productivity were collected from different sources. Majority of farmers perceived increase in temperature, decrease in rainfall frequency, decrease in rainfall duration and increase in flooding hazard during rainy season. Trends analysis of temperature and rainfall data over 35 years (1980-2015) showed, increasing trends of maximum temperature (0.06oC/year) and minimum temperature (0.03oC/year) which were in the line with the farmer's perception. Trend analysis revealed that total annual precipitation was decreasing by 3.77 mm/year while monsoon rainfall was increasing by 0.051 mm/year. About 20% respondents had clear knowledge on climate change. The major source of information was media (43.43%) and self-experiences (36.3%). The major climate change adaptation practices adopted by farmers were use of drought resistant varieties, flood resistant varieties, use of electric water pump, and use of local irrigation channel. The study showed that only 39.17% of the respondents know about crop insurance policy and only 6.66% of the total respondents done crop insurance on different crop. The regression analysis showed that rainfall and average maximum temperature has positive effect on yield and production. The study showed that farmers were positive to adapt climate change adaptation strategies. So, government and policy makers should focus on climate resilient adaptation strategies formulation for rice cultivation through intensive research and extension package. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 7, Issue-4: 202-213