Understanding Climate Change Perspectives and Adaptive Measures among Farmers in Koppala District of Karnataka

The present investigation to know farmer’s perception on changing climate effect on
agriculture and livestock, adaptions measures adopted by farmers to climate change in Koppala
district of Karnataka state. The study examines the socio-demographic characteristics, farmers'
perceptions, and climate change adaptation strategies in Koppala district, Karnataka, India. The
district spans 5570 sq. km, with 594 inhabited villages and a population of 13,89,920 as per the
2011 census. The of respondents were male (98.51%), with most falling in the various age
brackets of 35-54 years (50.37%) and above 54 years (41.48%). Illiteracy was prevalent, with
54.28% having no formal education. Farmers reported a decline in rainfall (90.37%) and
increased temperatures (93.33%), leading to drought conditions every 3-4 years. The study
highlights farmers' awareness of climate change (95.55%) and its impacts on agriculture,
including water scarcity (81.48%), Decreased crop yields as a result of pest and disease
infestations (87.40%), and changes in planting seasons. Factors influencing adaptation include
lack of knowledge (77.77%), credit accessibility (81.48%), and water scarcity (77.77%). Most
farmers employ crop rotation (87.40%) and improved seeds (77.77%) as adaptation strategies,
while only 17.03 percent utilize farm ponds for irrigation. Kriging analysis indicated that
exponential models were suitable and most effective in forecasting climate events including air
temperature, as well as maximum and minimum temperatures, along with relative humidity. The
findings underscore the need for tailored climate change adaptation policies, focusing on
education, access to credit, and sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate the consequences of
changing climate on livelihoods in Koppala district. Additionally, the study emphasizes the
significance of continuous monitoring and predictive modeling to inform effective decision-
making and resource allocation for climate resilience in agrarian communities.