Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies in the Gir Kesar …
381
discussion on the climatic changes observed in the region, the possible adaptation
strategies and the current practices that are in vogue.
This paper is organised into six sections. In the second section following this
introduction, we provide a highlight of the literature concerning climate change and
in the context of climate change issues with reference to mango cultivation. The
third section gives an idea about the status of India’s mango production in the world,
position in exports, and mango production in the state of Gujarat. Section 4 and
the sub sections there in provide the impact of climate change in the case of kesar
mango cultivation, awareness among farmers about such impacts and adaptation
strategies. This section also discusses the adaptation level among the farmers, need
for technological inputs and the crop insurance. Section 5 discusses the need for
extension services and the last section provides the conclusions.
1.1 Data and Methodology
The paper uses both primary and secondary data. The primary data used in the paper
consists of results from a larger survey on Geographical Indications concerning
agricultural products supported by the Indian Council of Social Science Research,
New Delhi.
2 It also draws from the interviews conducted with the officials of the
horticulture department of Government of Gujarat (HDGOG) and scientists with the
horticulture department of Junagadh Agricultural University (HDJAU). The paper
uses simple descriptive statistics to support the arguments raised in different sections.
2 Climate Change Impact
A few of the climate change impacts observed in different parts of India are: (1)
increase in the drought-affected areas and a decrease in precipitation particularly
over water stressed dry regions; (2) fewer rainy days with higher intensity of rainfall,
leading to flooding, river run off and heavy soil erosion; (3) rising sea levels and
coastal erosions with possibility of more areas getting flooded every year, leading
to loss of lives, property and agricultural land and other livelihood; (4) increase in
the severity of heat waves; (5) emergence of newer pests and diseases than before;
(6) fluctuations in the day and night temperature and (7) increase in the salinity
ingress particularly in drought affected areas and coastal areas. Salinity reduces
agricultural productivity and changes the cropping pattern and salinity also impacts
the availability of sweet water for agriculture and drinking purposes. Thus, the direct
impact of these would be on the ecosystems, water availability, biodiversity, changing
cropping pattern thus affecting the livelihoods and food security. It is cited in Singh
2 Done collaboratively by Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad and Council for
Social Development, Hyderabad.
381
discussion on the climatic changes observed in the region, the possible adaptation
strategies and the current practices that are in vogue.
This paper is organised into six sections. In the second section following this
introduction, we provide a highlight of the literature concerning climate change and
in the context of climate change issues with reference to mango cultivation. The
third section gives an idea about the status of India’s mango production in the world,
position in exports, and mango production in the state of Gujarat. Section 4 and
the sub sections there in provide the impact of climate change in the case of kesar
mango cultivation, awareness among farmers about such impacts and adaptation
strategies. This section also discusses the adaptation level among the farmers, need
for technological inputs and the crop insurance. Section 5 discusses the need for
extension services and the last section provides the conclusions.
1.1 Data and Methodology
The paper uses both primary and secondary data. The primary data used in the paper
consists of results from a larger survey on Geographical Indications concerning
agricultural products supported by the Indian Council of Social Science Research,
New Delhi.
2 It also draws from the interviews conducted with the officials of the
horticulture department of Government of Gujarat (HDGOG) and scientists with the
horticulture department of Junagadh Agricultural University (HDJAU). The paper
uses simple descriptive statistics to support the arguments raised in different sections.
2 Climate Change Impact
A few of the climate change impacts observed in different parts of India are: (1)
increase in the drought-affected areas and a decrease in precipitation particularly
over water stressed dry regions; (2) fewer rainy days with higher intensity of rainfall,
leading to flooding, river run off and heavy soil erosion; (3) rising sea levels and
coastal erosions with possibility of more areas getting flooded every year, leading
to loss of lives, property and agricultural land and other livelihood; (4) increase in
the severity of heat waves; (5) emergence of newer pests and diseases than before;
(6) fluctuations in the day and night temperature and (7) increase in the salinity
ingress particularly in drought affected areas and coastal areas. Salinity reduces
agricultural productivity and changes the cropping pattern and salinity also impacts
the availability of sweet water for agriculture and drinking purposes. Thus, the direct
impact of these would be on the ecosystems, water availability, biodiversity, changing
cropping pattern thus affecting the livelihoods and food security. It is cited in Singh
2 Done collaboratively by Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad and Council for
Social Development, Hyderabad.