Land Degradation and Climate Change: A Case Study of Agricultural Vulnerability and Adaptation in Patna District, Bihar, India

Land degradation and climate change are interlinked challenges threatening agricultural sustainability, especially in vulnerable regions like the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. This study presents a case analysis of Patna district in Bihar, where land degradation is increasingly manifesting through waterlogging, soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and changing climatic patterns. Based on a field survey of 45 farmers across six blocks, Fatuha, Bihita, Maner, Paliganj, Bakhtiyarpur, and Masaurhi, the study investigates the types of degradation experienced, farmers' perceptions of climate change, yield trends, adaptive measures, and institutional support. The findings reveal that 68% of farmers perceive declining rainfall, 74% report rising temperatures, and 87% have experienced declining yields. Adaptation strategies primarily involve low-cost, self-initiated practices such as crop diversification, organic amendments, and simple water management methods. However, access to formal institutional support remains limited for nearly half of the respondents. The study emphasizes the urgent need for integrated land management policies, targeted capacity building, and climate-resilient agricultural planning to safeguard livelihoods in the region.