Perception of Tasar Silkworm Rearers about the Climate Change Impact on the Tasar Silk Production of Maharashtra

Abstract

Tasar sericulture is one of the allied sectors of agriculture which is a climate sensitive sector. Understanding farmer’s perception about the climate change impact on the rearing performance tasar silkworm is a key to the development of new climate tolerant technologies so as to encourage the other farmers for adopting sericulture eventually to boost the production of the tasar silk production in the state. Thus, the study was designed to establish farmer’s perception on climate change and its impacts on tasar silkworm rearing performance. The study was conducted in all four tasar silkworm rearing districts of Maharashtra namely Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur. A total 160 tasar silkworm rearers were selected randomly from all the four districts. Information was collected from each tasar silkworm rearers through Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and focus group discussions (FGD). Climate Change Perception Index (CCPI) and Climate Change Impact Perception Index (CCIPI) were used to assess the perception about the impact of climate change on tasar silk production.  Weighted Average Index (WAI) was used to analysis the impact. Results showed that majority of the respondents perceived that the yield and production of tasar cocoons production has reduced compared to last ten years. Moreover, frequent loss of the crop is noticed due to sudden change in the climatic conditions during the rearing of silkworm. Similarly, the high incidence of diseases and pest is also noticed thereby affecting the income generation of the tribal tasar farmers of the state. The results of the study will be useful for formulating appropriate policy against the ill-effects of the climate change. The results will also give impetus to the researcher to develop the thermo tolerant and climate change tolerant or resistant varieties or races of tasar silkworm so as to boost the tasar silk production of the state.