Analyzing farmers’ vulnerability and adaptation strategy to climate change in arid ecosystem of India

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess vulnerability level of farmers toward climate change in arid ecosystems of India. A sample of hundred farmers from Jodhpur and Jaisalmer representing arid ecosystem were selected. Total twenty-nine socio-economic and psychological variables were studied and data were collected through personal interview and focused group discussion. The statistical techniques like principal component analysis and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed a high level of vulnerability as thirtyone per cent respondents belonged to highly vulnerable group. The findings of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that socio-economic variables like land holding, education, income, awareness level, communication pattern and psychological variables like achievement motivation, adaptive behavior, stress and pessimism were important predictors of vulnerability.