Perceived Climate Change Risks and Constraints Faced by Dairy Farmers in Odisha

The study examines the key risks perceived by dairy farmers in Odisha and the challenges encountered when implementing climate adaptation strategies such as changing the micro-climate of the cattle shed. About 68% of dairy farmers were aware of climate-related risks in 2022 and struggled to adapt due to economic limitations and lack of access to resources and information. The binary logistic regression analysis indicates that perceived risks, such as animal infertility and disease incidence, significantly affect farmers’ decisions to alter their cattle management practices. Conversely, factors like family size hinder their ability to make these changes. Additionally, the extent of adoption is limited by market dynamics, including milk prices and information asymmetry, as prioritized using Garrett’s ranking. These barriers impede effective adaptation and emphasize the necessity for comprehensive support systems, including fair pricing for farmers, climate education, enhanced access to information, and awareness campaigns focused on climate change, especially concerning dairy animals.