Impact of Climate Change on Farmer’s Vulnerability in Different Altitude Regions of Anantnag District of Kashmir, Indian Himalayas

Ifrah Hameed

Division of Agricultural Economics & Statistics, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, 192301, J&K, India.

Sajad A. Saraf *

Division of Agricultural Economics & Statistics, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, 192301, J&K, India.

Tariq A. Raja

Division of Agricultural Economics & Statistics, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, 192301, J&K, India.

Fehim J. Wani

Division of Agricultural Economics & Statistics, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, 192301, J&K, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Agriculture is vital to India's economy. Climate hazards and amplifying factors make farmers vulnerable. Climatic volatility threatens agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. Climate instability and climate change disrupt food supply, accessibility, and quality. This research assessed the farmers’ vulnerability in Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir, using a multi-stage sampling technique with 120 farmers across three altitudinal strata. The socio-economic analysis indicated that majority of the respondents in the study area belonged to middle age group, 94 per cent of them received some education, majority (48.4%) were having annual income of rupees (0.8-2.1 lakh), and majority (64.7%) had marginal land ownership of less than (0.29 ha). The evaluation uses 11, 14, and 6 indicators to measure exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Pahalgam and Larnoo, which are in higher altitudinal zones, had higher vulnerability, while Vessu and Anantnag, in lower altitudinal zones, had lower vulnerability. The Climate Vulnerability Index ranged from 0.86 in high-altitude areas to 0.29 in low-altitude areas. Exposure (0.72) plays an important role in ranking high altitude regions at the first position, followed by sensitivity (0.47) and adaptive capacity (0.33). The findings highlighted the need for government strategies to lessen farmers' climate change vulnerability. Policies and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable farming and climate-smart practices can enhance farmers' climate change awareness and boost agricultural growth.

Keywords: Climate change, exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity, vulnerability index (VI)


How to Cite

Hameed , Ifrah, Sajad A. Saraf, Tariq A. Raja, and Fehim J. Wani. 2023. “Impact of Climate Change on Farmer’s Vulnerability in Different Altitude Regions of Anantnag District of Kashmir, Indian Himalayas”. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 13 (12):1260-73. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i123791.