Exploring smallholder farmers’ climate change adaptation intentions in Tiruchirappalli District, South India

Hermine Mitter (), Kathrin Obermeier and Erwin Schmid
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Hermine Mitter: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Kathrin Obermeier: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Erwin Schmid: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences

Agriculture and Human Values, 2024, vol. 41, issue 3, No 8, 1019-1035

Abstract: Abstract Smallholder farmers are disproportionally vulnerable to climate change, and knowledge on cognitive factors and processes is required to successfully support their adaptation to climate change. Hence, we apply a qualitative interview approach to investigate smallholder farmers’ adaptation intentions and behavior. The theoretical Model of Private Proactive Adaptation to Climate Change has guided data collection and analysis. We conducted twenty semi-structured interviews with smallholder farmers living and working in Tiruchirappalli District in South India. We applied a qualitative content analysis by combining a content-structuring with a type-building approach. The systematic analysis resulted in four types of smallholder farmers that differ in the formation of adaptation intentions. Three of these types intend to adapt and follow different adaptation plans: (i) innovative measures that are new to the farm or region and are considered effective to overcome the detriments experienced from past efforts, (ii) contractive measures such as selling land or livestock, and (iii) retaining past measures they consider effective while relying on their access to resources. Only one type does not intend to adapt, emphasizing that rain is absolutely necessary to continue farming. We conclude that public efforts could focus on education and training programs adjusted to the farmers’ needs, measures to maintain or increase the fertility of land and farmers’ livelihood, flexible water conservation technologies and regular checking of dams, fostering combined adaptation and mitigation measures, providing access to loans up to debt cancellation, and offering physical and mental health programs.

Keywords: Agricultural adaptation behavior; Climate change perception; Qualitative analysis; Farmer types; Drought; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10460-023-10528-1

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