Study of farmer’s perception on climate change: A case study of Raichur and Bidar districts of Karnataka

Abstract

This study was performed to examine the perception of farmers towards climate change. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select 120 respondents comprising equal number of respondents from Bidar and Raichur district. The primary data required for the study was obtained using structured interview schedule prepared for the purpose. The pooled data on over all perception of the farmers towards climate change revealed that 41.67 per cent of respondents in Bidar and Raichur district had high favourable perception towards climate change while 31.66 per cent of them had less favourable perception and remaining 26.66 per cent had medium favourable perception towards climate change. Statement wise farmers perception about climate change revealed that in Bidar district 100.00 per cent of the respondents disagreed that there was no change in rainfall pattern, 86.67 per cent respondents disagreed that number of rainy days were more in the recent years, while 100 per cent of them agreed that return to investment is uncertain in agriculture due to climate change, 78.33 per cent of the respondents agreed that there is increase in temperature over the years. Also 68.33 per cent experienced more erratic and extreme temperature during recent years. Regarding ground water, 80.00 per cent of them agreed that there is depletion which affects bore well irrigation. Similar results were found with Raichur district respondents.