Contrasting resilience of agriculture to climate change in coastal and non coastal districts of Odisha

Abstract

The issue of climate change impact on agriculture and its mitigation through developing resiliency is of prime importance to enhance farmers' income and livelihood security. A study was conducted in Odisha to find out contrast in resilience of agriculture to climate change in coastal and non-coastal district. Agricultural scenario was studied through a composite agricultural scenario index (ASI) during 2001 to 2014.The coastal district Balasore showed a relatively better resilience in the years of climatic disasters maintaining the ASI value at a higher level as compared to non-coastal district Khurda due to better agricultural and irrigation water resources scenario in Balasore district. However, Balasore is more vulnerable than Khurda in all the seasons; vulnerability of Balasore and Khurda districts is found highest in monsoon and pre-monsoon period, respectively. About 90 percent of sampled farm households possess irrigated land in Balasore district and rainfed land in Khurda district. A remarkable dent in crop productivity is seen during calamity years, which are more severe in Khurda district during heat waves and cyclone than Balasore district, which faces a decline during cyclone and flood