Inherent vulnerability profiles of agriculture sector in temperate Himalayan Region: A preliminary assessment

The economy of J&K is reliant on agriculture, and most of the farmers are smallholders who are highly exposed to the negative impacts of climate change. This study employed nine indicators for measuring the dimensions of vulnerability, i.e., sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Weights were assigned to each indicator according to their importance in determining the vulnerability of the agricultural system. The vulnerability index is highest for Budgam (0.58) and Bandipura (0.57), followed by Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Kupwara, Anantnag, Pulwama, and Srinagar. Shopian is the least vulnerable district, with an index of 0.36. The results indicate that the majority of smallholder farmers were highly vulnerable, while four districts were moderately vulnerable in the valley. Several drivers of agricultural vulnerability were also identified.