MAITI, SANJITYADAV, PREETI2023-10-182023-10-182020https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810199081Climate change is global phenomenon, but, its effect and impact are local as well as region specific. Seasonal variations in rainfall and temperature have influenced the agro-climatic conditions, growing seasons, planting and harvesting schedules as well as populations of pests, weeds, and diseases leading to crop failure and loss in livestock productivity. The present study on assessment of farmer-led adaptation strategies to climate change in eastern Uttar Pradesh was conducted in three districts viz., Azamgarh, Varanasi and Ghazipur. The study revealed that majority (81.67 %) of the farmers of the overall region perceived changing climatic scenario and its impact on crop-farming as well as livestock-rearing. The study also shows that all farmers witnessed extreme climatic events; hence, the locale of the study was climate-led disaster prone region. It was found out that 69.39 per cent of the farmers were having higher level of perception regarding the features of climate change, 42.86 per cent were having a higher level of perception regarding impact of climate change on crop-farming and 44.90 per cent were having higher level of perception of impact of climate change on livestock-rearing. To quantify the farmer-led adaptation strategies, ‘Climate Change Adaptation Index’ (CCAI) was developed. Total 9 and 15 farmers-led adaptation strategies were documented for crop-farming and livestock-rearing, respectively. In all three districts, ‘crop diversification’ and ‘use of shed for cattle and buffaloes’ were the most preferred adaptation strategies in crop-farming and livestock-rearing, respectively. It was found out that 35.66 per cent of the farmers were in higher level of adoption category of adaptation strategies related to crop-farming, whereas 41.26 per cent of the farmers were in medium level of adoption category of adaptation strategies related to livestock-rearing. The findings of the study exhibit an alarming difference between the perception with regard to impact climate change and adoption of adaptation strategies to cope up with the impact of climate change on crop-farming and livestock-rearing. Farmer-led adaptation strategies in crop-farming and livestock rearing were appraised in terms of their effectiveness to cope up with the changing climatic scenario. The study also revealed that some of the adaptation strategies vary from one district to another; hence the effectiveness of adaptation strategies was assessed separately for all three districts. In crop-farming, ‘search for alternate sources of income’ was chosen as most effective one in Azamgarh district. But, ‘preparation of bunds to control water flow’ was most effective in Varanasi and Ghazipur district. In livestock-rearing, the most effective adaptation strategies were ‘proper sanitation practices for animals’, ‘regular vaccination’ and ‘use of jute cloth to cover animals’ in Azamgarh, Varanasi and Ghazipur district respectively.EnglishThesis