Dairy farmer’s perception towards climate variability in Bundelkhand region

Abstract

In 2023-24, a study was undertaken in the Bundelkhand region of India to investigate dairy farmers' perceptions of climate variability. The research employed an analytical and descriptive research design. Specifically, the study was conducted across two districts, namely Banda and Hamirpur, within the Bundelkhand region. Random selection was used to choose two blocks from each district, with a total of 120 respondents randomly selected for participation. The results revealed that large number of dairy farmers in the study area was of middle aged (36-50 years) belonged to medium sized family(5-8 persons) with annual income under medium category (1-3 lacs) and have low level of mass media exposure with marginal to small land holding. They also had less social participation and the experience in dairy was moderate (5-10 years). They perceived a delay in the rainfall due to climate variability and down level of ground water but an increase in the dry season, disease infection and pest infestation and the temperature. The change in feeding schedule for dairy animals and climate variability as an important environmental issue were other important issues. Factor analysis revealed five principal components influencing perception of dairy farmers. Reliability of the perception was 0.72. Correlation analysis indicate that independent variables mass media exposure, dairy experience, age, education, family size, annual income, land holding herd size and risk orientation was positively and significantly associated with climate variability perception.