Perceptions on Climate Change and Satisfaction on Adaptive Measures: Farmer Field Evidence from Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Climate change poses a serious threat to the agrarian economy of Pakistan. Future agriculture productivity of the country can only be secured through the adaptation of climate change strategies. This research is designed to investigate the farmers’ perceptions of climate change and their satisfaction with the adaptation measures in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The questionnaire-based data was collected in 36 districts, from 360 respondents through the field survey. Both random and convenient sampling techniques were employed. For empirical analysis, a Multinomial Logistic regression model was operated. The results indicate that an increase in per-hectare yield lessens the farmer’s vulnerability to climate change. This research found that the farmers observed that changing precipitation patterns, extreme climate events, mutable sowing and harvesting time, temperature variation, night temperature, and traditional crop varieties are key vulnerable factors of climate change. These may create an alarming situation for agriculture productivity in the province. It is registered that farmers are not satisfied with adaptation measures particularly concerning heat-resistant and drought-resistant varieties. Agriculture extension services could not deliver optimally to protect the agriculture output from climate vulnerability. The results show that farmers are not satisfied with the performance of climate-resilient and research institutions. It is recommended that the government, research institutions, and climate-resilient institutions design new sowing and harvesting patterns, new seed varieties, new climatic zones, and alternative crop switching. The whole paradigm of extension services needs to be modernized and mechanized with the wider application of ICTs. The extension department should timely disseminate the climate information and educate the farmers on climate resilience and adaptation.