Impact of Climate Change on Banana Based Cropping Pattern in District Thatta, Sindh Province of Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world due to changing climatic conditions. While a head facing the risk of food and nutrition insecurity. It is a land of variety both in terms of resources and people. The study focused on the district Thatta and its coastal district of Sindh province, to determine the complex problem-related climate change and effects; the district has received due to various climatic factors. Banana is known to be the most important fruit crop of Pakistan. It is cultivated over 34,800 hectares with the production of 154,800 tons. It is primarily grown in Sindh province because the soil and climatic conditions favour cultivating fruits and vegetables, further, this province shares 87 percent in the cultivation of the banana crop. The study aims to carry out the impact of climate change effect on banana cropping patterns. The present study aimed to observe the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, review the present status of banana production in Sindh province, explore the status of cropping pattern in the study area, and examine climate change effect on banana cropping pattern, by using primary as well as secondary data. In Sindh province, Banana is cultivated in three main districts among them, Thatta shares 17.6 percent in the area and 17.1 percent production in the overall province. Furthermore, farmer’s perception regarding climate change, the majority proportion of farmers agreed temperature has raised and cropping pattern practices also effected and changed, while water-related issues are rising day by day in the study area.