Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Impact of climate change on farmers in a semi arid rural area of Dindigul district

Auteur : Walter Kennedy, B

Université de soutenance : Gandhigram Rural Institute

Grade : Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2015

Résumé partiel
Climate change – A Global concern
Climate change’ refers to the observed increase in the average temperature of the air near earth’s surface and oceans in recent decades. Its effect, particularly on developing countries, is adverse as their capacity and resources to deal with the challenge are limited. While all people are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, those living in low-lying coasts, deltas and resource fragile areas such as arid and semi-arid regions (dry lands) in India are particularly vulnerable. This is because, the bulk of people living in these areas draw their sustenance and livelihood from land, water and biotic resources which would be the first to be impacted by climate-induced changes. While rising seas will inundate and submerge these low-lying areas, atmospheric dynamics will subject dry lands to even more variable and scantier rainfall regimes.

Significance of the study
Vedasandur block has been selected for the present study to assess the impact of climate change on the farming community. It is a drought prone zone with very unreliable rainfall which varies from 600 to 800 mm annually and an average annual rainfall of 791.97 mm. Even this little quantity is not properly collected, conserved and utilized and hence Vedasandur has become water starved area which mainly depends on rainfall for crop production. Soil erosion is one of the major problems in the study area that leads to low organic matter content with reduced water holding capacity. Lack of irrigation facilities and support services in water management make farming operation in many parts of the block an exercise in futility. This study presents the overall problems caused due to climate change among farming communities in Vedasandur and suggested adaptation measures for the farmers to cope up with the climate change.

Présentation et version intégrale (Shodhganga)