Vulnerability Status of Gujarat Agriculture to Climate Change and Variability: A District Level Assessment

This paper has measured the vulnerability status of Gujarat by conducting district level assessment at five points of time, viz. 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011. Index based approach has been followed to construct composite vulnerability from five sub-sources, viz. demographic, climatic, agricultural, geographical and occupational. The study has revealed Kachchh, Surendranagar and Amreli as the most vulnerable districts of the state. The variables related to agriculture has been found to be the major source of vulnerability, followed by occupational and climatic variables. To combat the challenges of climate change and variability, the study has recommended promotion of strategies related to climate smart agriculture and increasing of awareness among the farmers and extension agencies regarding adaptation methods to manage the extremities of climate change. Also, dependency on agriculture for livelihood security may be reduced and new employment avenues should be created.