2015, Issue 3, Volume 7

AWARENESS OF FARMERS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE IN PLAIN ZONE OF CHHATTISGARH

O.P. Parganiha*, M.L. Sharma and H.K. Patra

Department of Agriculture Extension IGKV, Raipur (C.G.)

Received-13.01.2015, Revised-25.01.2015

Abstract : In order to combat from adverse effect of climate change and any coping or adaptation strategies, first of all the communities facing climate change should perceive that the changes are indeed taking place. In other words we can say that awareness of farmers regarding changes or variability in climatic conditionis important to know its impact on agriculture. To know the level of awareness of farmers regarding climate change, present study was conducted with 240 selected farmers of Plain Zone of Chhattisgarh during the year 2013-14. Most of the farming communities cannot classify the term climate change but are well capable of describing changes in weather. It can be observe from Table 1 that majority of the farmers (70.00%) were fully aware about rise in the risk of crop failure due to climate change has increased, whereas, 65, 54.58 and 52.50 per cent of the farmers were fully aware about pollution is increasing in the atmosphere, climate is getting warmer and weather has become unpredictable, respectively. With regards to overall awareness of about phenomena due to climate change, about 55 per cent of the farmers were moderately aware, whereas, 32.08 and 9.58 per cent farmers belonged to highly aware and somewhat awareness category. Awareness and understanding of farmers on climate change is pre requisite to take appropriate initiatives to combat climate change. The only solution for these huge populations seems to be adequate and relevant adaptation strategies. It has been reported that there is a large deficit of information and knowledge in this vulnerable region which impedes decision making and assessment of climate related risks, and adaptation.

Keywords : Farmers, Climate, Crop

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