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Understanding the Local Perception, Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience Planning Among the Farmers of Semi-Arid Tracks of South India

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Abstract

People all around the world have come into a consensus on climate change that is a fact with an increasing number of unusual climate-related events and extremities. The present study is an attempt to explore the views of local farmers on climate change and uncertainty and evaluating their prevalent coping strategies in the Chengalpet district of Tamil Nadu, a semi-arid expanse of South India. In order to achieve this objective, Rapid Rural Appraisals (RRAs), Focal Group Discussions (FGDs) and In-Depth Surveys (IDS) were conducted. Through RRA, this research identifies farmers’ perceptions of climate change and its impacts and highlights how farmers respond to it through adaptations and brings to light the adaptation needs and obstacles faced by the vulnerable coastal agro ecosystems of the state. The study indicated that majority of the farmers have observed climatic variability and change through rises in temperature, extended dry spells, rise in heat stress on crops, etc. The study explored that the farmers are practicing autonomous adaptation strategies like varying planting dates, adoption of heat resistant crops and varieties, switch from conventional paddy cultivation to other cash crops, agroforestry, etc. Farmers are cultivating tree species such as eucalyptus, teak wood, Casuarinafor multipurpose use planted along with various annual crops like cereals, banana, jasmine, cluster beans, maize, etc. This supports them to abate short term risks, sustain their livelihood and works as a long-term investment. The farmers are facing various social hurdles to adaptation options like lack of timely information regarding effective adaptation options from extension officers, lack of crop-weather insurances and micro-financing facilities, etc., apart from climate change risks. With regards to the sources of information regarding adaptation options, there is a strong need to enhance agriculture extension services in the remote areas. SWOT analysis revealed dwindling crop area for cultivation/natural resources, poor dissemination of weather/climate forecasts, reluctance of the young generation to take up farming as their living, etc., as some of the major threats. In order to prioritize the best and viable adaptation that suits, the research zone pairwise ranking method was used. This study recommends modification of farming practices, switching over to different crops and efficient water management as site-specific adaptation interventions as per pair-wise ranking of adaptations. These site specific strategies have to be implemented in the region to meet the challenges that lie ahead due to future climatic change and livelihood insecurity.

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Source: Census of Tamil Nadu-2011)

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Acknowledgements

We express our sincere gratitude to the District Forest Department, Kancheepuram District, state government of Tamil Nadu, for arranging the venue for Focal Group Discussion and in-depth face to face interviews. Anna University has awarded Anna Centenary Research Fellowship under the Department of Civil Engineering for doing this Ph.D research work. We are obliged to all the farmers of Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur District who have participated in the survey.

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  1. Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600025, India

    P. Dhanya, A. Ramachandran & K. Palanivelu

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Dhanya, P., Ramachandran, A. & Palanivelu, K. Understanding the Local Perception, Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience Planning Among the Farmers of Semi-Arid Tracks of South India. Agric Res 11, 291–308 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-021-00560-0

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