Understanding farmers’ perception about climate change in Barpeta district of Assam, India

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in the undivided Barpeta district of Assam to study farmers’ perceptions regarding climate change. An ex post facto research design was adopted, and a total of 120 respondents were chosen through random sampling from four villages of Barpeta district, comprising 30 farmers from each village. Data were collected through a structured schedule covering changes in rainfall, temperature, flood and drought occurrence, and agricultural impacts. The results revealed that a large proportion of farmers perceived significant changes in climatic patterns over the past years, including reduced rainy days, erratic rainfall distribution, increased dry spells, and rising temperatures. Notably, all respondents reported experiencing more intense heat and scorching sunshine, while 98% also perceived change in the onset timings of rainfall. In terms of agricultural impacts, the majority of farmers observed increased costs of cultivation, reduced crop yields, and heightened incidence of weeds, pests, and diseases. All farmers agreed that climate change has led to a rise in the occurrence of extreme weather phenomena like floods and droughts. Correlation analysis indicated that farmers’ characteristics such as age (r = 0.318**), farming experience (r = 0.226*), and socio-political participation (r = 0.333**) had a positive and significant association with their perception of climate change. These findings suggest that awareness, experience, and active involvement in the community enhance farmers’ ability to recognize and respond to climate variability. The study underscores the need for timely dissemination of climate information, location-specific technological interventions, and integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific practices to strengthen farmers' resilience to climate challenges.