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A PERCEPTION STUDY: CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTH ASIA Regional Meeting Climate Change and Food Security in South Asia 27 June, 2011, Dhaka, Bangladesh
A PERCEPTION STUDY: CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTH ASIA
Regional Meeting
Climate Change and Food Security in South Asia
27 June, 2011, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Content
Objectives
Methodology
Farmers’ & Stakeholders’ Perception
Impact on Agriculture & Livelihoods
Findings from Other Stakeholders’ Survey
Way Forward
South Asia Extremely Vulnerable to Climate Change
Geographical Diversity
Dense Population
High Incidence of Poverty
Climate Change Vulnerability Index 2011
Objectives
Understand farmers’ experience on climate change and agricultural yield and real causes of climate change
Ascertain measures to ensure sustainable livelihoods
Assess perception of grassroots’ NGOs, sociologists, and agronomists
Assess stakeholders’ perceptions on regional food bank
Identify areas for further research
Methodology
CUTS (Consumer Unity & Trust Society, International) undertook this study with support from Oxfam Novib
Four countries involved: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan
Partners Afghan Development Association (ADA)
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
Practical Action Bangladesh
Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society (India)
Continued…
A total of 1200 small and marginal farmers
Geographically representative
• All agro-climatic zones• Drawn from 3 districts and 10 villages • Official country level data
Household Characteristics
• Nuclear and Joint• BPL and APL• Literate and Illiterate
Agro-Climatic Zones
Farmers’ Awareness & Perception on Climate Change
Graph 3.5.1
Climate Change Impact Awareness
0
50
100
150
200
250
Afghanistan Bangladesh India Pakistan
Num
ber
No Yes
Continued…Graph 3.5.2
Perception about Climate Change Occurrences
0
50
100
150
200
Afghanistan Bangladesh India Pakistan
Num
ber
0-10 years 11-20 years 21-30 years More than 30 years
Change in Cropping SeasonsGraph 3.5.3
Fluctuation in Length of Seasons in Afghanistan
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Winter Autumn Summer Spring
Mon
ths
Average Length at Present Average Length in the Past
Continued…
Graph 3.5.4
Fluctuation in Length of Seasons in Bangladesh
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Autumn Late
Autumn
Winter Summer Rainy Spring
Mo
nth
s
Average Length presently Avg. Length in the past
Intensity of Natural Calamities
Graph 3.5.6
Intensity of Natural Hazards in South Asia
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Afghanistan Bangladesh India Pakistan
Per
cent
(%
)
Drought Flood Cyclone Dust Storm
Storm Surge High Intensity Rainfall Frost Earthquake
Hail Storm Landslide Fire
On Food UnavailabilityGraph 3.5.10
Households' Perception on Food Unavailability
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Nev
er
Rar
ely
Som
etim
es
Oft
en
Nev
er
Rar
ely
Som
etim
es
Oft
en
Nev
er
Rar
ely
Som
etim
es
Oft
en Nev
er
Rar
ely Som
etim
es
Oft
en
Afghanistan Bangladesh India Pakistan
Res
pons
es
Households' Perception about Unavailability of Food Current
Households' Perception about Unavailability of Food Reference year
On MigrationGraph 3.5.22
Trend in Migration
0
10
20
30
40
50
Afghanistan Bangladesh India Pakistan
Per
cen
t (%
) Graph 3.5.24
Type of Migration
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Afghanistan Bangladesh India Pakistan
Per
cen
t (%
)
Seasonal Stress Permanent
Graph 3.5.25
Reason for Migration
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Afghanistan Bangladesh India Pakistan
Per
cen
t (%
)
Opportunity
(job search)
Need for more
income
Social pressure
Major Challenges Declined livestock, manure and
increased reliance on fertilizers
Declined pasture land and increased reliance on market for animal feed
Declined production and productivity, leading small farmers to further poverty
Major Adaptation Practices
Migration to nearby cities
Increased dependence on subsidized fertilizers
Crop Insurance
Use of improved variety of seeds
Loan dependence
Findings from Other Stakeholders’ Survey
Perception about occurrence of climate change
A key phenomenon observed over the past several decades
Intensity of climate change
Occurrences of Natural Hazards
Continued… Perception of climate change impact
Changes in duration of seasons
Increase in average atmospheric temperature
Increase in frequency of natural calamities
Perception on Adaptive Steps taken by Farmers
Switching to climate resilient agriculture
o Finger millet, Pearl millet etc. less sensitive to ambient temperature and CO2 content
But following mitigating strategies not adopted:
o Reducing methane emissions from rice fields
o Practicing better livestock management
Perception on What Farmers need to do
Replace water intensive crops
Increase adoption of water and soil conservation measures
Cultivate crops less sensitive to temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations
Diversify crops and use insurance as coping strategies
Way Forward
Focus on pro-poor policies
Bridge the gap of SAARC initiatives
Create a corpus fund - to raise resources that address adaptation strategies suitable to the country
Boost intraregional trade
Facilitate trans-boundary learning to quickly disseminate techniques
Thank You!
