Assessing the Impacts of Climate and Economic Changes on Indian Agriculture A Case Study of Groundnut Farmers in Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh
Background
Double Exposure in Anantapur Trade liberalisation of oilseeds and edible oils in Drought since
Vulnerability to Globalisation ANANTAPUR
Vulnerability to Climate Change ANANTAPUR
Map of India Delhi Hyderabad Anantapur Bangalore
Map of Anantapur district Ipperu village Kadiri
Research Strategy
Asian Social Forum, Hyderabad Key informant interviews in Hyderabad and Anantapur Collected statistics from government offices Group interviews with farmers, 2 villages Kadiri Household interviews in Ipperu village, outside Anantapur Research Strategy
Asian Social Forum
Farmer Suicides
Agriculture in Anantapur Groundnut is the major crop Rainfed agriculture Small and medium farmers; landless labourers
Agriculture in Anantapur 1970s: shift from subsistence crops to groundnut 1980s: Operation yellow – drive for self sufficiency in edible oil 1994: Trade liberalization of oilseeds/edible oils
Pre- 1970s: Subsistence Farming Diversity of crops (bajra, jowar, ragi, etc) Grain stocks Livestock Common lands Family Labour
Irrigated Jowar and Groundnut
Changing Conditions from 1970s Investments in infrastructure Demand for oilseeds from new local oilmills Subsidised food through PDS Reduced family labour supply Shift to lucrative monocrop groundnut
Effects Expanding area under groundnut Deterioration and privatization of common lands Less fodder Fewer livestock Pest problems
Vulnerability To climate variability To trade liberalization