1. A PERCEPTION STUDY: CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTH ASIA Regional Meeting Climate Change and Food Security in South Asia 27 June, 2011, Dhaka, Bangladesh

2. Content  Objectives  Methodology  Farmers’ & Stakeholders’ Perception  Impact on Agriculture & Livelihoods  Findings from Other Stakeholders’ Survey  Way Forward

3. South Asia Extremely Vulnerable to Climate Change  Geographical Diversity  Dense Population  High Incidence of Poverty

4. Climate Change Vulnerability Index 2011

5. Objectives  Understand farmers’ experience on climate change and agricultural yield and real causes of climate change  Ascertain measures to ensure sustainable livelihoods  Assess perception of grassroots’ NGOs, sociologists, and agronomists  Assess stakeholders’ perceptions on regional food bank  Identify areas for further research

6. Methodology  CUTS (Consumer Unity & Trust Society, International) undertook this study with support from Oxfam Novib  Four countries involved: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan  Partners  Afghan Development Association (ADA)  Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)  Practical Action Bangladesh  Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society (India)

7. Continued…  A total of 1200 small and marginal farmers  Geographically representative All agro-climatic zones Drawn from 3 districts and 10 villages Official country level data  Household Characteristics Nuclear and Joint BPL and APL Literate and Illiterate

8. Agro-Climatic Zones

9. Farmers’ Awareness & Perception on Climate Change Graph 3.5.1 Climate Change Impact Awareness 0 50 100 150 200 250 AfghanistanBangladeshIndiaPakistan Number NoYes

10. Continued… Graph 3.5.2 Perception about Climate Change Occurrences 0 50 100 150 200 AfghanistanBangladeshIndiaPakistan Number 0-10 years11-20 years21-30 yearsMore than 30 years

11. Change in Cropping Seasons Graph 3.5.3 Fluctuation in Length of Seasons in Afghanistan 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 WinterAutumnSummerSpring Months Average Length at PresentAverage Length in the Past

12. Continued… Graph 3.5.4 Fluctuation in Length of Seasons in Bangladesh 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 AutumnLate Autumn WinterSummerRainySpring Months Average Length presently Avg. Length in the past

13. Intensity of Natural Calamities

14. On Food Unavailability

15. On Migration Graph 3.5.22 Trend in Migration 0 10 20 30 40 50 AfghanistanBangladeshIndiaPakistan Percent (%) Graph 3.5.24 Type of Migration 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 AfghanistanBangladeshIndiaPakistan Percent (%) SeasonalStressPermanent Graph 3.5.25 Reason for Migration 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 AfghanistanBangladeshIndiaPakistan Percent (%) Opportunity (job search) Need for more income Social pressure

16. Major Challenges  Declined livestock, manure and increased reliance on fertilizers  Declined pasture land and increased reliance on market for animal feed  Declined production and productivity, leading small farmers to further poverty

17. Major Adaptation Practices  Migration to nearby cities  Increased dependence on subsidized fertilizers  Crop Insurance  Use of improved variety of seeds  Loan dependence

18. Findings from Other Stakeholders’ Survey  Perception about occurrence of climate change A key phenomenon observed over the past several decades Intensity of climate change Occurrences of Natural Hazards

19. Continued…  Perception of climate change impact  Changes in duration of seasons  Increase in average atmospheric temperature  Increase in frequency of natural calamities

20. Perception on Adaptive Steps taken by Farmers  Switching to climate resilient agriculture oFinger millet, Pearl millet etc. less sensitive to ambient temperature and CO2 content  But following mitigating strategies not adopted: o Reducing methane emissions from rice fields o Practicing better livestock management

21. Perception on What Farmers need to do  Replace water intensive crops  Increase adoption of water and soil conservation measures  Cultivate crops less sensitive to temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations  Diversify crops and use insurance as coping strategies

22. Way Forward  Focus on pro-poor policies  Bridge the gap of SAARC initiatives  Create a corpus fund - to raise resources that address adaptation strategies suitable to the country  Boost intraregional trade  Facilitate trans-boundary learning to quickly disseminate techniques

23. Thank You!