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Adapting Harvests: A Comprehensive Study of Farmers’ Perceptions, Adaptation Strategies, and Climatic Trends in Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan

Author

Listed:
  • Syed Ali Asghar Shah

    (School of Economics and Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Muhammad Sajid Mehmood

    (College of Geography and Environmental Science, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
    Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
    INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ihsan Muhammad

    (Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Agro-Bioresources, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

  • Muhammad Irfan Ahamad

    (College of Geography and Environmental Science, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China)

  • Huixin Wu

    (School of Marxism Studies, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

Abstract

Understanding farmers’ perceptions, attitudes, and adaptation strategies toward climate change is important for developing effective policies that support agricultural development and food security in rural communities. This study aimed to understand climatic trends over the past two decades (2003–2022), farmers’ perceptions, and adaptation strategies regarding climate change in Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. The Mann–Kendall trend test identified a significant decrease in average minimum temperature (τ = −0.357, p < 0.05) and an increase in rainfall patterns (τ = 0.337, p < 0.05). A mixed-method approach is employed, utilizing a survey of 180 randomly selected farmers, focus group discussions, and climate data analysis. Ordinal and binary logistic regression models were used to analyze the influence of sociodemographic factors on farmers’ perceptions of climate change and their choice of adaptation strategies. The results indicate that farmers primarily rely on religious beliefs/prayers (65.6%) to cope with climate change, followed by seeking off-farm jobs (50%) and changing fertilizer use (42.2%). The result of the binary logistic regression indicates that among the different demographic characteristics, education, and land size significantly influence farmers’ decisions in taking adaptation measures against climate change. This study emphasizes the need for climate policies that integrate farmer knowledge with meteorological data and sociodemographic analysis to ensure a sustainable agricultural sector in Pakistan. Further research is necessary to explore more effective adaptation methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Syed Ali Asghar Shah & Muhammad Sajid Mehmood & Ihsan Muhammad & Muhammad Irfan Ahamad & Huixin Wu, 2024. "Adapting Harvests: A Comprehensive Study of Farmers’ Perceptions, Adaptation Strategies, and Climatic Trends in Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:16:p:7070-:d:1458484
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    References listed on IDEAS

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