IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY IN LOW HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2019-11
Authors
RANI, SHILPA
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present study entitled “Impact Assessment of Climate Change on Agricultural Economy in Low Hills of Himachal
Pradesh” was carried out in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh.A sample of 120 respondents was selected using multistage random
sampling. The farmers were selected from Bamson, Nadaun and Bijhari blocks through proportional allocation method. The results of the
study revealed that overall average size of family in selected blocks was around 5 persons, out of which 50.43 per cent were males and rest
were females in sample households. The overall literacy rate in selected blocks was 81.41 per cent, while it was 82.32 per cent in Bamson,
81.94 per cent in Nadaun and 80.00 per cent in Bijhari. Agriculture was the main occupation as 63.19 per cent of family members were
involved in agricultural practices. This proves the fact that majority of households were agriculturists and agriculture was the main source of
their livelihood. The average size of the land holding per household was 1.46 ha which included cultivated area (Cereals, vegetables, pulses,
oilseeds and spices) (40.39%), orchard land (9.97%), forest land (17.64%), current fallow land (9.51%), grassland (6.68%), barren and
uncultivable land (6.97%), cultivable waste land (4.28%) and other fallow land (2.55%). The cropping intensity was found highest under
Bijhari block (184.58%) followed by Nadaun (178.99%) and Bamson (173.96%). Wheat in Rabi season and Maize in Kharif season were
the predominant cereal crops grown by the farmers. On an average, the productivity of Maize was found 22.83 q/ha and of Wheat 11.75 q/ha
which was much lower than the state average productivity. The share of on-farm income (69.89%) was found highest in the total household
income.Analysis of trends and pattern in rainfall and temperature at district level showed a significant warming trend of 0.0930C/year
anddecreasing trend of 0.0990C/year during the period 1987-2017. By analyzing various induced extreme events and seasonal changes over
the last 30 years, it was revealed that among the seasons, the farmers opined that summer season had become longer (75.00%) and winter
season had reduced (70.00%) than the previous years. Analysis of vulnerability index revealed that Hamirpur district was the most
vulnerable and Lahaul-Spiti was the least vulnerable district during 2007. The exposure component played a significant role in ranking
Hamirpur district at the first position by contributing to 55.30 per cent, followed by sensitivity (35.69%) and adaptive capacity (9.01%).
However, Una district was found most vulnerable district to climate change during 2017. The sensitivity and exposure indicators were found
to be the highest contributors towards vulnerability, which accounted for 28.59 per cent and 59.58 per cent. Amongst the blocks, Hamirpur
block was found to be the most vulnerable block and Nadaun was the least vulnerable block during 2007.Thesensitivity played an important
in ranking Hamirpur block at the first position by contributing to the tune of 43.30 per cent followed by exposure (27.26%) and adaptive
capacity (29.44%). However, Bijhari was found to be the most vulnerable block and Bamson was the least vulnerable block during 2017.
Study of farmers’ perceptions towards adaptation strategies revealed that majority of farmers were using HYV seeds which were suitable for
local climate (93.33%) and strategies like use of improved crop varieties (54.17%) and crop diversification (45.00%) etc. were also adopted
by farmers. High cost of adoption, lack of credit facilities, lack of labour, inadequate supply of irrigation water, and lack of knowledge about
need based improved agriculture technologies etc. were the major problems in adopting various strategies to cope up with climate change.
Majority of experts showed positive response towards various changes and adaptive measures to deal with climate change. They also
perceived that agricultural sector was sensitive towards climate change and in case of adaptive strategies; adaptation towards lesser use of
chemicals was reported by majority of experts (75.00%). According to experts, awareness towards climate change should be created through
extension workers, training programmes/camps related to agriculture at village level.
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