A PERCEPTION STUDY: CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTH ASIA Regional Meeting Climate Change and Food Security in South Asia 27 June, 2011, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Content  Objectives  Methodology  Farmers’ & Stakeholders’ Perception  Impact on Agriculture & Livelihoods  Findings from Other Stakeholders’ Survey  Way Forward

South Asia Extremely Vulnerable to Climate Change  Geographical Diversity  Dense Population  High Incidence of Poverty

Climate Change Vulnerability Index 2011

Objectives  Understand farmers’ experience on climate change and agricultural yield and real causes of climate change  Ascertain measures to ensure sustainable livelihoods  Assess perception of grassroots’ NGOs, sociologists, and agronomists  Assess stakeholders’ perceptions on regional food bank  Identify areas for further research

Methodology  CUTS (Consumer Unity & Trust Society, International) undertook this study with support from Oxfam Novib  Four countries involved: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan  Partners  Afghan Development Association (ADA)  Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)  Practical Action Bangladesh  Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society (India)

Continued…  A total of 1200 small and marginal farmers  Geographically representative All agro-climatic zones Drawn from 3 districts and 10 villages Official country level data  Household Characteristics Nuclear and Joint BPL and APL Literate and Illiterate

Agro-Climatic Zones

Farmers’ Awareness & Perception on Climate Change Graph Climate Change Impact Awareness AfghanistanBangladeshIndiaPakistan Number NoYes

Continued… Graph Perception about Climate Change Occurrences AfghanistanBangladeshIndiaPakistan Number 0-10 years11-20 years21-30 yearsMore than 30 years

Change in Cropping Seasons Graph Fluctuation in Length of Seasons in Afghanistan WinterAutumnSummerSpring Months Average Length at PresentAverage Length in the Past

Continued… Graph Fluctuation in Length of Seasons in Bangladesh AutumnLate Autumn WinterSummerRainySpring Months Average Length presently Avg. Length in the past

Intensity of Natural Calamities

On Food Unavailability

On Migration Graph Trend in Migration AfghanistanBangladeshIndiaPakistan Percent (%) Graph Type of Migration AfghanistanBangladeshIndiaPakistan Percent (%) SeasonalStressPermanent Graph Reason for Migration AfghanistanBangladeshIndiaPakistan Percent (%) Opportunity (job search) Need for more income Social pressure

Major Challenges  Declined livestock, manure and increased reliance on fertilizers  Declined pasture land and increased reliance on market for animal feed  Declined production and productivity, leading small farmers to further poverty

Major Adaptation Practices  Migration to nearby cities  Increased dependence on subsidized fertilizers  Crop Insurance  Use of improved variety of seeds  Loan dependence

Findings from Other Stakeholders’ Survey  Perception about occurrence of climate change A key phenomenon observed over the past several decades Intensity of climate change Occurrences of Natural Hazards

Continued…  Perception of climate change impact  Changes in duration of seasons  Increase in average atmospheric temperature  Increase in frequency of natural calamities

Perception on Adaptive Steps taken by Farmers  Switching to climate resilient agriculture oFinger millet, Pearl millet etc. less sensitive to ambient temperature and CO2 content  But following mitigating strategies not adopted: o Reducing methane emissions from rice fields o Practicing better livestock management

Perception on What Farmers need to do  Replace water intensive crops  Increase adoption of water and soil conservation measures  Cultivate crops less sensitive to temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations  Diversify crops and use insurance as coping strategies

Way Forward  Focus on pro-poor policies  Bridge the gap of SAARC initiatives  Create a corpus fund - to raise resources that address adaptation strategies suitable to the country  Boost intraregional trade  Facilitate trans-boundary learning to quickly disseminate techniques

Thank You!