Understanding Farmers’ Perception and Adaptation Strategies on Climate Change in India: A Review

Abstract

The global phenomenon of climate change is characterized by changes in the planet's normal climate (temperature, precipitation, and wind) that are primarily caused by human activities. Not only significant environmental issue on a Worldwide scale, but it is also a pressing one for developing nation like India. Forty-eight relevant articles were randomly selected from Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to examine farmers' perspectives and approaches to climate change adaptation in diverse geographical regions in India to study the Indian farmers' perception on climate change and their adaptation strategies. It explores factors shaping their perceptions, adaptation strategies adopted, and challenges faced by the farmers in India. Farmers increasingly recognize climate change's impacts, with many implementing adaptation measures like shifting planting dates and changing crop varieties. However, socio-economic constraints and limited resources hinder effective adaptation by the farmers. The review recommends that strengthening agricultural extension services, promoting climate-smart technologies, expanding access to financial resources, improving infrastructure, enhancing policy support, encouraging community-based adaptation and strengthening climate change education and there is a need to increase public awareness of the possible impacts of climate change and to create coping strategies for the detrimental consequences it might have on agriculture and associated sectors. By focusing on these areas, Indian farmers can be better equipped to tackle climate change challenges, ensure food security, and foster sustainable agricultural practices.