Perceived Impact of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies of Dairy Farmers in Drought-prone Districts of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as a global challenge for sustainable development since its effects provide significant threats to achieving economic, social, and environmental sustainability goals. This study underscores the multifaceted impacts of climate variability, particularly drought, on dairy farming across the selected vulnerable districts in Tamil Nadu. Periodic drought is a major challenge in drought-prone areas of India. A sample survey of farmers (n = 60) from a highly vulnerable district was conducted to study the farmers’ perception about climate change and to document the drought adaptation index. Drought Adaptation Index (DAI) was calculated. The escalating severity of drought in Tamil Nadu underscores the critical importance of documenting the perceived impact of farmers regarding climate variability on dairy production and documenting the farmers' led adaptation strategies. While existing research has examined drought measurement and impact assessment in agriculture, there remains a significant gap in empirical studies analysing farmers' adaptation practices and their policy implications pertaining to dairying. Hence, research indicates an urgent need for comprehensive initiatives to enhance dairy farmers' resilience. The absence of robust empirical evidence on drought adaptation practices poses a significant threat to dairy farming sustainability and food security. To address this challenge, research efforts must focus on identifying and evaluating effective adaptation policies that can sustain agricultural productivity through drought periods. The most significant adaptation strategies adopted by the farmers were Selection of appropriate fodder varieties for drought (0.95) and selection of recommended breeds (0.93), Feeding crop residues and tree leaves (0.67), Tethering the animals under trees (0.57) and Spreading coconut / palmyrah leaves on the roof top (0.55). Very low DAI scores were recorded for usage of wet sacks (0.07), growing trees around sheds (0.05), changing grazing times (0.05), and preference for tree fodder (0.03). These strategies, while potentially beneficial, lack perceived usefulness and self-efficacy among the surveyed respondents. The study highlights the economic strain caused by reduced milk yield, reduced forage availability and rising input costs, further exacerbating vulnerability in dairy systems.