Climate Change Adaptation in Chandrapur District of Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra, India: An Investigation into Individual and Collective Agricultural Actions

Abstract

Climate change impacts are global, countries like India are particularly vulnerable due to their large populations and heavy reliance on agriculture. Climate change has substantial economic effects on agriculture, including shifts in productivity, crop patterns, profitability, prices, supply, and trade. Adaptation involves measures to adjust to present or anticipated future conditions, differing from mitigation, which focuses on risk reduction. This study focused on adoption rates and influencing factors for climate change adaptation measures in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region. Data from 120 farmers in Chandrapur district showed that over 50% implemented strategies like crop diversification, land fallowing, well installation, integrated fertilization, and agroforestry. These choices were influenced by local conditions and socioeconomic factors, with a positive connection to climate awareness, land size, weather information access, cropping practices, institutional support, and assets. Notably, awareness, land size, cropping patterns, and institutional support significantly affected farmers' adaptation levels.