Coping Strategies to Climate Change through Indigenous Technology Knowledge in Agriculture

Abstract

Climate change is accepted as the greatest environmental and social threats to human civilization at present. We primarily examined the role of Indigenous Technology Knowledge (ITK) in adapting to the impacts of climate change. To carry out this research at Sahartara VDC of Dolpa district, Nepal, we have used mixed research method (Survey and Ethnography). Mann Kendal Test verified that rainfall of the area had been decreased by 1.254 mm every year from 1984-2012 while minimum temperature is increasing and maximum Temperature is decreasing from 1991 to 2013, which is a sign of change in climate variability. Moreover, people have experienced the gradual rise in temperature for a decade and facing erratic and unprecedented rainfall over the same period. Their traditional methods of terrace farming, leaving crop residue and fallow land is aiding them to protect the land from erosion and landslide along with maintaining soil fertility. Practices such as managing crop timing, selection of the more resilient crops, crop rotation, and intercropping are helping them to fight against the food insecurity likely to be induced by climate change by ensuring at least yield of one crop, controlling pest and maintaining the production. People exchange the seeds within the community protecting the gene pool of the community. We believe their major strength is the use of the traditional variety of crops, which has already adapted to the nature. We deem that these efforts have helped people to adjust to the changing environment.