Adapting mountain-farming systems to climate change by reducing food-nutrition-health vulnerability

Thusitha Bandara, Buddhi Marambe (), Gamini Pushpakumara, Pradeepa Silva, Ranjith Punyawardena, Lasantha Manawadu, Sarath Premalal, Giashuddin Miah and Khem Raj Dahal
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Thusitha Bandara: University of Peradeniya
Buddhi Marambe: University of Peradeniya
Gamini Pushpakumara: University of Peradeniya
Pradeepa Silva: University of Peradeniya
Ranjith Punyawardena: Natural Resources Management Centre, Department of Agriculture
Lasantha Manawadu: University of Colombo
Sarath Premalal: Department of Meteorology
Giashuddin Miah: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University
Khem Raj Dahal: Tribhuvan University

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 2024, vol. 29, issue 8, No 12, 28 pages

Abstract: Abstract The study attempted to use an indicator approach to identify food, nutrition and health vulnerability in existing agriculture systems in the hilly areas in south Asia and to identify the best adaptation strategies to ensure food security. The farming system units (FSUs) were selected randomly from sites at elevation ≥ 300 m amsl, slope ≥ 30%, and representing ≥ 30% of the agrarian population. A questionnaire survey helped recognize different farming systems and their components. Adaptation strategies to reduce food-nutrition-health vulnerability (FNHV) of 424 FSUs in Sri Lanka (Hatton and Welimada), Bangladesh (Chittagong), and Nepal (Jhikhu Khola) were assessed by the FNHV index (FNHVi) calculated using 18 climate-sensitive parameters. The spatial distribution of FNHVi (0 = least to 1 = very-highly vulnerable) was mapped for each site, and a composite index compared FNHVs among sites. The FNHVi ranged from 0.13 to 0.68 and was not dependent on the altitude of FSUs. Chittagong was the most vulnerable, with a composite FNHV of 0.51, followed by Welimada (0.42), Hatton (0.39), and Jhikhu Khola (0.35). The contribution of the selected parameters to FNHV varied among different sites and households within a location. Good adaptation strategies such as crop diversification, mixed cropping, incorporation of organic fertilizers with mineral fertilizers, integrated crop and animal husbandry, and production of food for own consumption coupled with land ownership, diversified income sources, availability of storage facilities, and adoption of proper sanitary conditions have helped build climate-resilience in the mountain ecosystems of south Asia.

Keywords: Farming system units; Mountain ecosystems; Climate resilience; Indicator approach (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s11027-024-10181-x

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