Impact of climate change and adaptation measures initiated by farmers

Abstract

This paper presents the results from a study conducted to examine adaptation measures initiated by farmers in response to variability and changes in climate and develop a model for climate change adaptation. Drop in rainy days and amount of rainfall concomitant with raise in daily temperature after the year 2000 has been acknowledged widely by farmers. This is corroborated by the actual rainfall and temperatures recorded in the local meteorological observatory. These factors exacerbated groundwater extraction for irrigation and domestic needs. In order to cope with the predicament, farmers shifted to late sowing varieties, dairying and adopted soil and water conservation measures such as farm ponds, ridges and dead-furrows and mulching. Those using conventional irrigation, shifted to drip irrigation, cultivating horticulture crops. Case study of a vulnerable woman farmers indicated that by participating in the groundwater market, the farmer purchased groundwater to cultivate vegetables and keeping three local cows which provided them with steady flow of income from milk. Thus, coping mechanisms were to sustain incomes and resilient due to climate change crisis. To create awareness and understanding of climate change and the challenges for social scientists an integrated model has been proposed by using synergies from program development, program delivery and program impact.