Title: PERCEPTION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES OF COTTON GROWERS TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY

Authors: Padmaja Borra, P. R. Deshmukh and, P. S. Kapse

Publisher: The President, Society of Extension Education Gujarat

Keywords: perception, adaptability, cotton growers, climate variability

Volume: 40

Issue: 2

Year: December 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56572/gjoee.2025.40.2.0007

Abstract: The study entitled "Perception and Adaptability of Cotton Growers towards Climate Variability" was conducted in Beed district of Maharashtra, a region highly prone to climatic risks, during 2022-23. A sample of 100 cotton farmers from ten villages was selected through purposive-cum-random sampling, and an ex-post facto design was employed. Standardized scales were used to assess farmers' perception and adaptability levels towards climate variability. Findings revealed that farmers were highly perceptive of major climatic indicators, particularly uneven distribution of rainfall (90%), prolonged dry spells (88%), decreasing rainfall (85%), and rising temperatures (80%). Overall, 55% of farmers exhibited a medium level of perception, followed by 35% with high perception and 10% with low perception. Regarding adaptability, 52% of respondents fell into the medium category, 30% into low, and only 18% into high adaptability. Adaptation measures partially adopted included drought-resistant varieties, intercropping, altered planting dates, and use of pest-tolerant crops, while practices such as rainwater harvesting structures, contour sowing, and crop insurance services were less widely adopted. The study highlights that although farmers are aware of climatic risks, their adaptive responses remain limited to low-cost, less resource-intensive practices. Socio-economic factors such as education, farm income, and extension contact significantly influenced both perception and adaptability levels. The findings emphasize the need for strengthening climate-focused extension services, promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, and providing policy support tailored to the local context. Enhancing farmer-to-farmer learning, capacity building, and access to institutional resources will bridge the gap between awareness and action, thereby improving the resilience of cotton growers to climate variability and ensuring sustainable cotton production in the Marathwada region.