also should make the farmers aware of climate change and its impacts. Further,
farmers also felt that extension officers themselves lacked the knowledge and that
they should be trained in soil testing, identifying appropriate pesticides and other
such necessary techniques.
During our survey, we have observed that weather-related disaster impacted
almost all the farmers (Fig. 1). Only 7 % of households reported that though they
faced adversities, their crops had not been destroyed substantially (see Fig. 1).
The average number of drought situation (which had severe impacts on crop)
faced in preceding 5 years by farmer households was about 2; thus, one can observe
that every alternate year one is faced with weather related adversities (Fig. 2).
These situations may further aggravate with climate change. Given the intensity
with which a farm household is subjected to whether related risk, it is essential to
address the issue effectively. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that lack of
irrigation facilities have severely affected farmers even in the parts of developed
districts like Mandya or Chamarajanagar.
In case of severe drought, the Government declares aid to the farmers in that
area. However, despite the noble intentions and efforts of the Government, such
help seldom reaches the needy. In our sample, though almost all farmers faced
weather related disasters, it is important to note that only a few (about 30 %)
received Government help (see Fig. 3) and such lacuna in the implementation
process needs to be seriously dealt with.
Faced Drought in last
five years, 93
Not Faced, 7
Fig. 1 Share of households
faced substantial damage of
crops due to drought or flood
at least once in the last
5 years. Source Primary
Survey
2.16
1.96
1.93
1.8
1.85
1.9
1.95
2
2.05
2.1
2.15
2.2
Mandya
Chamarajanagar
Haveri
Number of Drought
District
Fig. 2 Average number of
droughts faced in the last five
years. Source Field Survey
252
M. Rajeev et al.
farmers also felt that extension officers themselves lacked the knowledge and that
they should be trained in soil testing, identifying appropriate pesticides and other
such necessary techniques.
During our survey, we have observed that weather-related disaster impacted
almost all the farmers (Fig. 1). Only 7 % of households reported that though they
faced adversities, their crops had not been destroyed substantially (see Fig. 1).
The average number of drought situation (which had severe impacts on crop)
faced in preceding 5 years by farmer households was about 2; thus, one can observe
that every alternate year one is faced with weather related adversities (Fig. 2).
These situations may further aggravate with climate change. Given the intensity
with which a farm household is subjected to whether related risk, it is essential to
address the issue effectively. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that lack of
irrigation facilities have severely affected farmers even in the parts of developed
districts like Mandya or Chamarajanagar.
In case of severe drought, the Government declares aid to the farmers in that
area. However, despite the noble intentions and efforts of the Government, such
help seldom reaches the needy. In our sample, though almost all farmers faced
weather related disasters, it is important to note that only a few (about 30 %)
received Government help (see Fig. 3) and such lacuna in the implementation
process needs to be seriously dealt with.
Faced Drought in last
five years, 93
Not Faced, 7
Fig. 1 Share of households
faced substantial damage of
crops due to drought or flood
at least once in the last
5 years. Source Primary
Survey
2.16
1.96
1.93
1.8
1.85
1.9
1.95
2
2.05
2.1
2.15
2.2
Mandya
Chamarajanagar
Haveri
Number of Drought
District
Fig. 2 Average number of
droughts faced in the last five
years. Source Field Survey
252
M. Rajeev et al.