Title: PERCEPTION LEVEL OF DAIRY FARMERS TOWARD CLIMATE VARIABILITY

Authors: Sarjeet Yadav, Sonam Agrawal and Chandrika Sharma

Publisher: The President, Society of Extension Education Gujarat

Keywords: adaptive strategies, climate-variability, climate-resilient, dairy farmers, mitigate, perception

Volume: 39

Issue: 2

Year: June 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56572/gjoee.2025.39.2.0028

Abstract: Climate variability is an increasing concern that poses a threat to dairy farmers globally. Climate change primarily affects the production and consumption systems, our livelihood and the systems related to water and land use, including reduced milk production. Rural communities may not fully understand the reasons behind climate changes, but they can accurately sense and analyze its effects. Dairy production is now increasingly vulnerable due to climate variability. This study examines the perceptions of dairy farmers in the dry region of Rajasthan regarding climate variability and its impact on their livelihoods. Using an ex-post facto research design, data were collected from 100 farmers, including 50 beneficiaries of climate adaptation initiatives and 50 non-beneficiaries. The findings reveal that a majority of both groups have a high perception of climate variability, with key concerns including increased droughts, changes in precipitation timing, and groundwater depletion. Beneficiaries demonstrated greater awareness and adoption of climate-resilient technologies compared to non-beneficiaries. Significant difference in perception level of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries under different criteria of evaluating perception has been seen. The study underscores the urgent need for policies that integrate farmers' perceptions and adaptive strategies to mitigate climate variability's adverse effects on dairy farming.