Factors Affecting the Awareness of Farmers Regarding Climate Change in Saurashtra Region of Gujarat, India

The present study was undertaken in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat with objectives to assess farmers’ awareness of climate change and to identify the key factors influencing it. A multistage sampling procedure was followed, wherein four districts—Amreli, Jamnagar, Gir Somnath, and Porbandar—were purposively selected, and a total of 240 respondents were randomly chosen across blocks and villages. Findings of the study revealed that the overall awareness level among farmers was 73.55%, with a majority (65.84%) falling in the medium awareness category. The correlation analysis indicated that factors like as education, information seeking behaviour, access to weather forecast, innovativeness, scientific orientation, preparedness for adaptation, perception regarding climate change and cropping pattern showed higher significance than other variables. Farming experience, extension participation, mass media exposure and risk orientation showed positive and moderately significant correlation with the awareness regarding the climate change. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that out of 14 independent variables, eight variables viz. education, farming experience, information seeking behaviour, scientific orientation, preparedness for adaptation, perception regarding climate change and cropping pattern showed a significant functional relationship with the awareness regarding climate change as their p value is less than 0.05. Path analysis further delineated the direct and indirect effects of these variables. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at strengthening knowledge systems and adaptive capacities among farming communities to address the impacts of climate change more effectively. The major limitation of the study was that it was restricted to Saurashtra region only and therefore future studies can be replicated in other regions of the state as well.