Evaluation of Farmers Knowledge, Vulnerability and Adapting Capacity to Climate Change: A Scenario in Bundelkhand Region

Abstract

Agriculture production in the Bundelkhand region is highly vulnerable to the climate change. To examine the perception, awareness, extent of knowledge on climate change and its impact on agriculture production with coping strategies, a research study was conducted with randomly selected, 70 sample farmers household from two villages of Datia district.  More than 80 per cent farmer feels that climate change is serious issue, and it affects water availability and crop production. 77 percent respondents from watershed area expressed their view, that climate change reduced crop yield followed by the reduction in milk yield, disease and pest incidence, rainfall reduction and environment effect.  Results shows that respondents of Jigna village (under watershed area) are reported to be more aware about impact of climate change (temp., rainfall, wind velocity) as compared to Dalipura village.  Farmers from both villages were reported deforestation, intensified industrialize and air pollution as reason for consequence of climate change. Intensify research efforts and Enlightenment campaign as efforts to overcome climate change are reported by majority of respondents. Changes in existing cropping pattern and soil-water conservation measures suggested as coping-strategies for climate change.