A systematic review of farmers perception and adaptation in Aravalli hill zone of Rajasthan

The farmer’s adaptation decision to cope with climate change has drawn considerable attention and recognition of the local and global scale’s human-environmental approach. In this review paper, we tried to understand the human dimension of perception and adaptation decision of farmers in Aravalli hill zone of Rajasthan. For the study purpose 240 farmers was interviewed from IV A zone of Rajasthan. Results show that majority of the farmers have perceived a rise in temperature, decreased rainfall and changing humidity pattern, which is consistent with the meteorological data. The farmers seem to have adopted a wide range of adaptation measures that are increased use of soil and water conservation (terracing, water harvesting and area closure) technologies and Adoption of drought tolerant and early maturing crop varieties. Reforestation (planting trees on communal and farm land), Expansion of agro-forestry (mango, avocado, apple) development and Reducing expansion of agricultural land through agricultural intensification (conservation agriculture, compost usage,) are also increasingly found to be adopted by farmers. However, the literature does not substantially confirm that farmers’ adaptation measures result from their perception of climate change. Lack of access to sufficient information and adequate credit at the right time, household income, farm size, gender, and resource endowment, among others, frequently influences the adoption of adaptation measures. The study suggests a need of large-scale investments in the Indian farming sector in general and building farmers’ capacity in particular farming activities. Adopting of an integrated approach for assessing farmers’ perception of adaptation to changing climatic conditions and their outcomes is essential for effective policy making towards achieving food security and farmers’ wellbeing.