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1 February 2016 Farmers' Perceptions of and Adaptations to Changing Climate in the Melamchi Valley of Nepal
Nani Maiya Sujakhu, Sailesh Ranjitkar, Rabin Raj Niraula, Bharat K. Pokharel, Dietrich Schmidt-Vogt, Jianchu Xu
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Knowledge of farmers’ perceptions of and adaptations to climate change is important to inform policies addressing the risk of climate change to farmers. This case study explored those issues in the Melamchi Valley of Nepal through a survey of 365 households and focus group discussions in 6 communities using a Community-Based Risk Screening Tool–Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL). Analysis of climate trends in the study area for 1979–2009 showed that mean annual temperatures rose by 1.02°C and the frequency of drought increased measurably after 2003. Farmers reported increases in crop pests, hailstorms, landslides, floods, thunderstorms, and erratic precipitation as climate-related hazards affecting agriculture. They responded in a variety of ways including changing farming practices, selling livestock, milk, and eggs, and engaging in daily wage labor and seasonal labor migration. With more efficient support and planning, some of these measures could be adjusted to better meet current and future risks from climate change.

International Mountain Society
Nani Maiya Sujakhu, Sailesh Ranjitkar, Rabin Raj Niraula, Bharat K. Pokharel, Dietrich Schmidt-Vogt, and Jianchu Xu "Farmers' Perceptions of and Adaptations to Changing Climate in the Melamchi Valley of Nepal," Mountain Research and Development 36(1), 15-30, (1 February 2016). https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-15-00032.1
Received: 1 September 2015; Accepted: 1 November 2015; Published: 1 February 2016
KEYWORDS
adaptation strategies
climate change
CRiSTAL
Melamchi Valley
Nepal
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