Vulnerability to Climate Change: A Comparative Study of Perceptions and Adaptive Capacities of Aurepalle and Shirapur Villages. Working Paper Series No. 43

Abstract

The threats related to climate change are apparent across the globe. This paper attempts to understand the perceptions of the farmers on climate change, the adaptation strategies and behavior that they are demonstrating based on their perceptions through a study done in the villages named Aurepalle and Shirapur, both of which belong to the semi-arid regions of India. The study shows that climate change/variability is becoming a major concern for the farming and non-farming community. As a result of their perceptions, they have been adapting and have developed coping strategies to shield themselves against climate uncertainties. Diversification into short duration crops and commercial crops along with experimenting with vegetable growing, local methods of soil conservation, the involvement of women in farm activities, and caste-based professions have emerged as effective strategies that have come to be accepted socially and culturally at the local level. At the institutional and the community levels, there are serious constraints towards adapting to what may be a more challenging future resulting from climate change; the lack of collective feeling and action, poor governance, financial inclusion and inadequate information access being the main concerns. The current study is an attempt to represent the understanding of the farming community to climate change and therefore the starting point for sensitising policy makers to work towards aiming to enhance capabilities on adaptation measures of farmers in the semi-arid regions of India and mainstreaming of successful adaptation strategies in the agricultural development agenda