Climate Change and Agriculture: A Geographical Analysis of Women Farmer’s Perception in Mithila (North Bihar), India

Abstract

The study analyses the perception of women farmers towards changes in farming practices, and women’s involvement in agriculture in changing climate context. Data were solicited from randomly selected 100 women farmers from Madhubani district of Mithila region, India. Survey was undertaken using a basic set of mixed methods; combine a semi-structured schedule based survey with qualitative interviews and in-depth case studies. Study reveals that one-fourth of respondents (25%) involved as an owner cultivator followed by agricultural labor and share cropper & owner cultivator. respondents (91%) perceived that total number of crops grown in last 10 years back had been reduced or stopped while other crops were also introduced as per suitability of crops in the area. Most respondents (96%) changed the agricultural crops with some alternate crops. Fertilizer use in agriculture also changed (86%). Majority of them (80%) reported that seed rate of crops also altered. Change in labor use and machines in agriculture were also perceived. The Study also documents some general & policy specific and technology-led actions for empowerment of women farmers in the region.

Keywords: Climate change, Agriculture, Perception, Policy, Mithila