Factors Affecting the Awareness of Farmers Regarding Climate Change in Saurashtra Region of Gujarat, India

The present study was undertaken in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat with objectives to
assess farmers’ awareness of climate change and to identify the key factors influencing it. A
multistage sampling procedure was followed, wherein four districts—Amreli, Jamnagar, Gir
Somnath, and Porbandar—were purposively selected, and a total of 240 respondents were
randomly chosen across blocks and villages. Findings of the study revealed that the overall
awareness level among farmers was 73.55%, with a majority (65.84%) falling in the medium
awareness category. The correlation analysis indicated that factors like as education,
information seeking behaviour, access to weather forecast, innovativeness, scientific
orientation, preparedness for adaptation, perception regarding climate change and cropping
pattern showed higher significance than other variables. Farming experience, extension
participation, mass media exposure and risk orientation showed positive and moderately
significant correlation with the awareness regarding the climate change. Multiple linear
regression analysis revealed that out of 14 independent variables, eight variables viz.
education, farming experience, information seeking behaviour, scientific orientation,
preparedness for adaptation, perception regarding climate change and cropping pattern
showed a significant functional relationship with the awareness regarding climate change as
their p value is less than 0.05. Path analysis further delineated the direct and indirect effects
of these variables. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at
strengthening knowledge systems and adaptive capacities among farming communities to
address the impacts of climate change more effectively. The major limitation of the study was
that it was restricted to Saurashtra region only and therefore future studies can be replicated
in other regions of the state as well.