Adaptation Strategies of Climate Change Effect and Factors Affecting the Adaptation Choices of Large Cardamom in Sikkim

Abstract

Adaptation to climate change has become a major concern to farmers as many researchers reported the contribution of climate change to the decline of large cardamom production. The paper aims to study the adaptation strategies of climate change and factors aff ecting the adaptation choices in large cardamom in East Sikkim district. Data for the study were collected from 114 farmers through personal interview, focus group discussions and participatory rural appraisal methods. Simple random sampling technique was used for selection of the households. The study identifi ed 10 adaptation strategies followed by the sample farmers (73.68%) to cope up the changing climate and its impacts. Among the identifi ed strategies, gap fi lling, change in cultivar and cultivate smaller area than usual were the major strategies adopted by the farmers. Binary logistic regression model reveals that four variables viz., age, annual income, infl uence and extension agent contact were positively infl uencing the adaptation decision. Therefore, the study suggests more farmers will take up adaptation strategies if information about the climate change and adaptation strategies are made available and the gap between the farmers and extension agent were reduced through better trainings and follow up programmes.