Role of Multiple Stressors in Planned Adaptation to Climate Change in Semi-Arid Region in India

Abstract With increasing challenges related to climate change, farmers living in harsh climatic conditions are experiencing an adverse impact on their livelihoods. Farmers need to respond to climate change in a more planned than reactive way to reduce their vulnerability to future climate changes. However, farmers confront with a range of multiple stressors, including climatic and non-climatic. The current study examines the role of non-climatic stressors on farmers' typology of adaptation. The study is conducted in an agriculturally dominated semi-arid region in India. The study includes a primary survey that encompasses 665 farmers. To ensure representation from each block, a proportionate stratified random sampling technique was applied in the selection process. Employing a mixed method approach, which combines quantitative and qualitative tools, the study reveals that farmers generally perceive climate change and attempt to adjust or adapt to changes in environmental conditions in various ways. However, in Nuh, only a few farmers are adopting planned measures to deal with climate change. The adoption of planned strategies is facilitated by access to formal credit, and affiliation with local organizations, while it is hindered by the incidence of non-climatic stressors. The existing non-climatic stressors play a critical role in farmers' adaptability to climate risks, constraining how farmers respond to climate change. There is a need to account for both climatic and non-climatic factors while planning and designing appropriate adaptation strategies.