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How do farmers cope with climate change? An analysis of alternative adaptation strategies in drought-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—Pakistan

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Abstract

In Asia and the Pacific, the agriculture sector is the most important, but it is also the most at risk from climate chnage. Droughts are one of the main sources of disaster risks that can change yield levels and cause sizeable productivity losses in agricultural products. In response, the farmers are taking a number of climate-related risk-reduction steps. As a result, this study has investigated farmers' preferences for climate change adaptation strategies as well as their socioeconomic determinants. A random sample of 200 farmers in Nowshehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were surveyed. A multivariate probit model was used in the study to determine the relationship between independent variables and farmers decisions to implement a specific adaptation strategy. According to the findings of the study, the most common methods of coping with drought were rainwater harvesting, soil conservation, changing crop planting dates, ponds, and terraces with spillways. Furthermore, the study highlighted the role of socio-economic determinants in the adoption of these adaptation strategies. In light of these findings, the government may choose to help these farmers by providing them with ponds and water storage facilities. It is critical to educate farmers about climate change so that they can develop strategies to mitigate its negative effects.

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Notes

  1. 1USD = 140.31PKR, Source: https://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/rates/m2m/M2M-History.asp.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

    Imtiaz Alam Khan, Muhammad Rafiq & Muhammad Atiq

  2. Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan

    Sanaullah Panezai

  3. Higher Education, Archives and Libraries Department, Directorate of Commerce Education and Management Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan

    Shahab E. Saqib

  4. Institute of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Raza Ullah

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  1. Imtiaz Alam Khan
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  2. Muhammad Rafiq
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  4. Shahab E. Saqib
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The study has been approved by the ethical research committee of Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar. Moreover, written consents were obtained from the study particpants for taking part in interviews.

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Khan, I.A., Rafiq, M., Panezai, S. et al. How do farmers cope with climate change? An analysis of alternative adaptation strategies in drought-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—Pakistan. Nat Hazards 112, 2259–2275 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-022-05264-4

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