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Understanding Constraints and Enablers of Climate Risk Management Strategies: Evidence from Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Regional South India

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  • Anupama Shantharaju

    (Centre for Applied Climate Sciences, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia)

  • Md Aminul Islam

    (Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, Future Drought Fund (Research), Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    School of Environmental Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia)

  • Jarrod M. Kath

    (Centre for Applied Climate Sciences, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia)

  • Shahbaz Mushtaq

    (Centre for Applied Climate Sciences, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia)

  • Arun Muniyappa

    (College of Horticulture, UHS-Bagalkot, Bengaluru 560065, India)

  • Lila Singh-Peterson

    (Centre for Applied Climate Sciences, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    Centre for Heritage and Culture, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia)

Abstract

The adoption of effective coping strategies is crucial for successful adaptation to the impacts of climate change in the dairy sector. However, little attention has been paid to understanding the perceived constraints and motivations toward such strategies. A survey was conducted among 104 dairy farmers from three semi-arid regions of South India. The aim of the survey was to explore the dairy farmers’ perception of climate risk, how it impacts their dairy farming system, the coping strategies they employ, and the barriers they face when implementing these strategies. The survey also investigated the factors that facilitate the adoption of adaptation measures. The results indicate dairy farmers in the region perceive drought, pests and diseases, and high temperatures as the major risks associated with climate change, which has resulted in decreased dairy income, animal health problems, reduced fertility, and food intake problems for their cattle. In response to climate variability, dairy farmers have adopted various coping strategies. The most important strategies include buying livestock insurance, keeping low debt obligations, and growing drought-tolerant grass varieties. However, most farmers face significant constraints in adopting these and other strategies including a lack of climate forecast data, the high cost of adaptation activities, and weak institutional support. On the other hand, the key enabling factors that support the adoption of these strategies include milk production security, suitable feed growing conditions, and family interest. Most importantly, the study found that certain factors such as age, education, number of earning family members, annual milk production, monthly cattle expenses, and landholdings significantly influenced dairy farmers’ strategies for adapting to climate change. The study recommends that providing timely climate forecasts, implementing improved policies such as vaccination and cattle health services, and establishing strong institutional support systems can help dairy farmers become more resilient to climate change and protect their livelihoods.

Suggested Citation

  • Anupama Shantharaju & Md Aminul Islam & Jarrod M. Kath & Shahbaz Mushtaq & Arun Muniyappa & Lila Singh-Peterson, 2024. "Understanding Constraints and Enablers of Climate Risk Management Strategies: Evidence from Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Regional South India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:5:p:2018-:d:1348720
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    References listed on IDEAS

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