Understanding Farmers Perception and Response to Climate Change

Abstract

The study looked at farmers’ perception of changes in average annual temperature as a proxy indicator for climate change, and adaptive management strategies used by men, women, and youth. The study was conducted in three villages in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate in Egypt. All respondents noted increase in temperature and ensuing changes in - planting and harvesting times, crop choices, levels of salinity, incidence of plant-based diseases and pests, and lower productivity. Respondents adaptation strategies varied across sex and age, with young men and women having less access and capability (financial and technical) to deal with increased cost of production including higher demand for insecticides, soil amendments (longer fallow periods, laser leveling, etc.), improved seed varieties (salt and heat tolerant varieties), limited crop choices, etc. The study looked at farmers’ perception of changes in average annual temperature as a proxy indicator for climate change, and adaptive management strategies used by men, women, and youth. The study was conducted in three villages in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate. All respondents noted increase in temperature and ensuing changes in - planting and harvesting times, crop choices, levels of salinity, incidence of plant-based diseases and pests, and lower productivity. Respondents adaptation strategies varied across sex and age, with young men and women having less access and capability (financial and technical) to deal with increased cost of production including higher demand for insecticides, soil amendments (longer fallow periods, laser leveling, etc.), improved seed varieties (salt and heat tolerant varieties), limited crop choices, etc.