Abstract
The increasing frequency of climatic risks, such as flood, drought, heat and cold waves, is causing significant loss of farm productivity and income in agriculturally dependent communities. Timely availability of reliable information on weather conditions, agro-advisories, and market information can help to minimize losses in agriculture. This paper presents a scientific and integrated approach to identify areas of high agriculture vulnerability to climate change and availability of ICT services for dissemination of CSA information in the vulnerable areas. This study was illustrated for India where the majority of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods, and this sector is highly vulnerable to climate change. The study presents four regions: i) high agriculture vulnerability and low ICT services, ii) high agriculture vulnerability and high ICT services, iii) low agriculture vulnerability and low ICT services, and iv) low agriculture vulnerability and high ICT services. This methodology, which is simple, uses available data, and is easy to apply, can be useful to prioritize locations for climate-smart interventions, mode of CSA information dissemination using ICT services, and increase coverage of agro-ICT services through development of ICT services in the locations where climate change impact is high and ICT services are very low. This study also showed that there is a need to improve the quality of existing climate information and agro-advisory services in the climate risk-prone areas.
Highlights
Agricultural production is often volatile due to external factors, such as weather, insect/pests, diseases, and input/output prices
climate-smart agricultural (CSA) focuses on developing resilient food production systems that lead to food and income security under progressive climate change and variability (Vermeulen et al 2012, Lipper et al 2014)
Many climate change adaptation and mitigation related policies and programs focus on implementation of climate-smart practices, technologies, and services to cover large agricultural areas and populations
Summary
Agricultural production is often volatile due to external factors, such as weather, insect/pests, diseases, and input/output prices. Depending upon food production systems and locations, there is a large array of adaptation and mitigation options to address climate change and variability in agriculture. Adaptation options that sustainably increase productivity, enhance resilience to climatic stresses, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions are known as climate-smart agricultural (CSA) technologies, practices, and services (FAO 2010). Change in crop and livestock management practices, use of new farm technologies, and change in land use patterns help to adapt climatic risks in agriculture. These practices include use of improved climate resilient seeds, crop nutrients and water management practices, changes in tillage practices (such as conventional to minimum tillage), change in sowing time based on climate information, etc. Availability of timely information on weather forecasts, value-added agricultural advisories, such as climate information-based input use and crop management practices and market information, empowers farming communities in tackling climate and market risks in agriculture (Magawata 2014; Shaik et al 2011; Singh and Meena 2012)
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