Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies in the Gir Kesar …
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Scientists also said that as the climate change issue is going to remain with us,
new varieties of mango which are tolerant to climate change is required. Now in the
mango region of the state, scientists’ are actively promoting high density plantation
(HDP). HDP is a technology that has been learnt from Israeli scientists. HDP is a
method followed in orchards in Israel. Following this, the HDGOG has set up a
centre of excellence (CE) in Talala in Gir taluka, where the modern HDP is practiced
which is an ideal strategy to combat climate change. The HDGOG tries out new
techniques in its own farm in the CE and then trains the farmers. HDP is a technique,
which optimizes the area. Compared to the old method of plantation where distance
between two trees is more than 10 m, in the HDP the technique adopted is to grow 3
by 3 or 5 by 5 (distance in meter). Farmers will be able to cultivate more than 1000
trees in a hectare by following HDP of 3 by 3. According to the scientists of the
university, climate change damages could be arrested to a significant extent by HDP
as the plants are close to each other and hence the heat penetration would be less and
this is beneficial at the time of flowering and fruit setting. This helps in arresting the
fruit drop as well. In HDP canopy management is essential as it helps in better and
quality yield. The height of the tree is maintained at around 5 feet with pruning that
takes place after harvest every year. Since the tree is short, the fruits can be harvested
individually by hand as these are the proverbial ‘low lying fruits’ and the fruits are
of same grade as the bunches are maintained appropriately. Further the chances of
fruits getting damaged at the time of harvesting as well as harvesting the fruit which
is yet not ready along with the matured fruit is very less.
4.1 Awareness About Climate Change and Adaptation
Strategies by Farmers
In this section, we first discuss about the awareness among the farmers about the
changes in the climate and its impact as it is essential that the farmers observe the
changes that are occurring to their crop and yield.
A primary survey was carried out during May–June 2018 among 171 mango
farmers. These farmers were selected based on a list of farmers provided by the
HDGOG. Adopting probability proportionate sampling, in Gir Somnath 3 talukas
were selected from which 12 villages were identified. In Junagadh 2 talukas and 1
village in each were identified. The selection was based on the number of farmers
cultivating mango in each of the talukas and villages. Thus, in Gir Somnath, Talala
(9), Una (2) and Veraval (1) talukas and in Junagadh Vanthali (1) and Maliya (1)
talukas were selected, and 14 villages therein were selected. Around 12 farmers
were randomly selected from each of these villages.
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Scientists also said that as the climate change issue is going to remain with us,
new varieties of mango which are tolerant to climate change is required. Now in the
mango region of the state, scientists’ are actively promoting high density plantation
(HDP). HDP is a technology that has been learnt from Israeli scientists. HDP is a
method followed in orchards in Israel. Following this, the HDGOG has set up a
centre of excellence (CE) in Talala in Gir taluka, where the modern HDP is practiced
which is an ideal strategy to combat climate change. The HDGOG tries out new
techniques in its own farm in the CE and then trains the farmers. HDP is a technique,
which optimizes the area. Compared to the old method of plantation where distance
between two trees is more than 10 m, in the HDP the technique adopted is to grow 3
by 3 or 5 by 5 (distance in meter). Farmers will be able to cultivate more than 1000
trees in a hectare by following HDP of 3 by 3. According to the scientists of the
university, climate change damages could be arrested to a significant extent by HDP
as the plants are close to each other and hence the heat penetration would be less and
this is beneficial at the time of flowering and fruit setting. This helps in arresting the
fruit drop as well. In HDP canopy management is essential as it helps in better and
quality yield. The height of the tree is maintained at around 5 feet with pruning that
takes place after harvest every year. Since the tree is short, the fruits can be harvested
individually by hand as these are the proverbial ‘low lying fruits’ and the fruits are
of same grade as the bunches are maintained appropriately. Further the chances of
fruits getting damaged at the time of harvesting as well as harvesting the fruit which
is yet not ready along with the matured fruit is very less.
4.1 Awareness About Climate Change and Adaptation
Strategies by Farmers
In this section, we first discuss about the awareness among the farmers about the
changes in the climate and its impact as it is essential that the farmers observe the
changes that are occurring to their crop and yield.
A primary survey was carried out during May–June 2018 among 171 mango
farmers. These farmers were selected based on a list of farmers provided by the
HDGOG. Adopting probability proportionate sampling, in Gir Somnath 3 talukas
were selected from which 12 villages were identified. In Junagadh 2 talukas and 1
village in each were identified. The selection was based on the number of farmers
cultivating mango in each of the talukas and villages. Thus, in Gir Somnath, Talala
(9), Una (2) and Veraval (1) talukas and in Junagadh Vanthali (1) and Maliya (1)
talukas were selected, and 14 villages therein were selected. Around 12 farmers
were randomly selected from each of these villages.