Assessing Awareness of Climate Resilient Agricultural Technologies among Small and Marginal Farmers in India

Climate resilience in agriculture is essential for sustaining the livelihoods of farmers, especially small and marginal landholders who often lack resources and comprise the majority of the population in climate-vulnerable regions. The objective of the present study was to assess the awareness of climate-resilient agricultural technologies among small and marginal farmers cultivating soybean-based cropping systems. The study is conducted in the drought-prone Marathwada region of Maharashtra state (India). This study focuses on the critical intersection of farmers' knowledge and climate adaptation. A multistage random sampling method was employed to select 120 respondents from Parbhani and Hingoli districts, two of the districts identified as highly vulnerable based on previous studies (Adhav et. al.). The data was collected using a structured, pre-tested interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that a majority (68.33%) of farmers had a medium level of awareness of climate-resilient technologies, followed by 20.00 per cent with high awareness and 11.67 per cent with low awareness. The data further indicated that water and soil management practices recorded the highest awareness (89.79%), with a complete awareness regarding farm ponds, micro-irrigation, organic matter addition, and protective irrigation. Agronomic practices followed (83.02%), with high awareness of intercropping, agroforestry, altered sowing dates, and crop rotation, though comparatively lower awareness was observed for drought-tolerant varieties and community nurseries. Awareness of allied enterprises (77.78%) was high for local livestock breeds and fodder enrichment, but not aware of azolla cultivation. Institutional interventions (85.28%) reflected a comprehensive awareness of custom hiring centres, seed and fodder banks, and insurance schemes, although awareness of cold storage and market-based supply management was comparatively lower. Results indicate that farmers possess a moderate level of overall awareness regarding climate-resilient agricultural technologies. While awareness is high for visible and traditional practices, a significant knowledge gap exists concerning technical and scientific innovations. To bridge this gap, policymakers and extension agents must enhance extension services through targeted training, field demonstrations, and capacity-building programs tailored to the specific needs of local farmers. Strengthening these outreach mechanisms is crucial for enhancing technology accessibility, as increased awareness is the primary step toward the long-term adoption of climate-resilient strategies.