IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v31y2023i5p3796-3810.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Building resilience to climate change: Examining the impact of agro‐ecological zones and social groups on sustainable development

Author

Listed:
  • Giri Prasad Kandel
  • Miroslava Bavorova
  • Ayat Ullah
  • Harald Kaechele
  • Prajal Pradhan

Abstract

Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, which is negatively affecting agricultural production and food security. However, the role of agro‐ecological zones and social groups in climate change adaptation (CCA) and its impact on smallholder farmers in Nepal remains unexplored. To fill this gap, this study aimed to identify the effect of agro‐ecological zones and social groups on smallholder farmers' adaptation to climate change using the multivariate probit model. Multistage sampling was used to collect data from 400 households in three agro‐ecological zones of Nepal. These zones were highland (mountainous region), midland (hilly region) and lowland (terai/plain region). The results of our study showed that farmers in the Mountain region are more likely to adopt off‐farm activities and temporary migration as a CCA strategy than those in the Terai/plain agro‐ecological zone. In the Terai/Plain, farmers mainly adopt small‐scale irrigation and agroforestry. In terms of social groups, the Brahmin group was more likely to adopt new crop varieties and small‐scale irrigation than the Sudra group. The Sudra farmers preferred temporary migration and off‐farm activities more than the Brahmins. Our study shows that policies to promote the adoption of CCA strategies need to take into account location and social group differences in order to improve the adaptive capacity of the most vulnerable farmers. Mountain and Sudra farmers need support to adapt to climate change and sustain agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Giri Prasad Kandel & Miroslava Bavorova & Ayat Ullah & Harald Kaechele & Prajal Pradhan, 2023. "Building resilience to climate change: Examining the impact of agro‐ecological zones and social groups on sustainable development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(5), pages 3796-3810, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:31:y:2023:i:5:p:3796-3810
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.2626
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2626
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.2626?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hari Bapuji & Snehanjali Chrispal, 2020. "Understanding Economic Inequality Through the Lens of Caste," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 162(3), pages 533-551, March.
    2. Srimayi Tenali & Phil McManus, 2022. "Climate change acknowledgment to promote sustainable development: A critical discourse analysis of local action plans in coastal Florida," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(5), pages 1072-1085, October.
    3. Catherine Vaughan & James Hansen & Philippe Roudier & Paul Watkiss & Edward Carr, 2019. "Evaluating agricultural weather and climate services in Africa: Evidence, methods, and a learning agenda," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(4), July.
    4. Maryam Aslany & Shannon Brincat, 2021. "Class and climate‐change adaptation in rural India: Beyond community‐based adaptation models," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(3), pages 571-582, May.
    5. Lorenzo Cappellari & Stephen P. Jenkins, 2003. "Multivariate probit regression using simulated maximum likelihood," Stata Journal, StataCorp LLC, vol. 3(3), pages 278-294, September.
    6. Jeetendra Prakash Aryal & Tek B. Sapkota & Ritika Khurana & Arun Khatri-Chhetri & Dil Bahadur Rahut & M. L. Jat, 2020. "Climate change and agriculture in South Asia: adaptation options in smallholder production systems," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 5045-5075, August.
    7. Patricia K. Mogomotsi & Amogelang Sekelemani & Goemeone E. J. Mogomotsi, 2020. "Climate change adaptation strategies of small-scale farmers in Ngamiland East, Botswana," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 159(3), pages 441-460, April.
    8. Nasir Mahmood & Muhammad Arshad & Harald Kaechele & Muhammad Faisal Shahzad & Ayat Ullah & Klaus Mueller, 2020. "Fatalism, Climate Resiliency Training and Farmers’ Adaptation Responses: Implications for Sustainable Rainfed-Wheat Production in Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, February.
    9. Alam, GM Monirul & Alam, Khorshed & Mushtaq, Shahbaz, 2016. "Influence of institutional access and social capital on adaptation decision: Empirical evidence from hazard-prone rural households in Bangladesh," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 243-251.
    10. Khanal, Uttam & Wilson, Clevo & Hoang, Viet-Ngu & Lee, Boon, 2018. "Farmers' Adaptation to Climate Change, Its Determinants and Impacts on Rice Yield in Nepal," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 139-147.
    11. Trinh, Thoai Quang & Rañola, Roberto F. & Camacho, Leni D. & Simelton, Elisabeth, 2018. "Determinants of farmers’ adaptation to climate change in agricultural production in the central region of Vietnam," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 224-231.
    12. Zinkernagel, Jana & Maestre-Valero, Jose. F. & Seresti, Sogol Y. & Intrigliolo, Diego S., 2020. "New technologies and practical approaches to improve irrigation management of open field vegetable crops," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    13. Ojo, T.O. & Baiyegunhi, L.J.S., 2020. "Determinants of climate change adaptation strategies and its impact on the net farm income of rice farmers in south-west Nigeria," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    14. Sushila Rijal & Popular Gentle & Uttam Khanal & Clevo Wilson & Bhagawat Rimal, 2022. "A systematic review of Nepalese farmers’ climate change adaptation strategies," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(1), pages 132-146, January.
    15. Marianne Ryghaug, 2011. "Obstacles to sustainable development: the destabilization of climate change knowledge," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 19(3), pages 157-166, May/June.
    16. Douglas James Merrey & Abid Hussain & Deepak Dorje Tamang & Bhuwan Thapa & Anjal Prakash, 2018. "Evolving high altitude livelihoods and climate change: a study from Rasuwa District, Nepal," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(4), pages 1055-1071, August.
    17. Santosh Poudel & Koji Kotani, 2013. "Climatic impacts on crop yield and its variability in Nepal: do they vary across seasons and altitudes?," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 116(2), pages 327-355, January.
    18. Nagoda, Sigrid & Nightingale, Andrea J., 2017. "Participation and Power in Climate Change Adaptation Policies: Vulnerability in Food Security Programs in Nepal," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 85-93.
    19. Alauddin, Mohammad & Sarker, Md Abdur Rashid, 2014. "Climate change and farm-level adaptation decisions and strategies in drought-prone and groundwater-depleted areas of Bangladesh: an empirical investigation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 204-213.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Md Sarwar Hossain & Sayantani M. Basak & Md Nurul Amin & Carl C. Anderson & Emilie Cremin & Fabrice G. Renaud, 2024. "Social‐ecological systems approach for adaptation to climate change," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 2766-2778, June.
    2. Mohammad Abul Kashem & Mohammad Mafizur Rahman & Rasheda Khanam, 2024. "Environmental consequence of Australian agricultural trade: An asymmetric analysis," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 2931-2943, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kuang, Foyuan & Jin, Jianjun & He, Rui & Wan, Xinyu & Ning, Jing, 2019. "Influence of livelihood capital on adaptation strategies: Evidence from rural households in Wushen Banner, China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    2. Le Phuong Nam & Nguyen Song & Antonio Jesus A. Quilloy & Roberto F. Rañola & Jose V. Camacho & Leni D. Camacho & Louie Marie T. Eluriagac, 2024. "Assessment of impacts of adaptation measures on rice farm economic performance in response to climate change: Case study in Vietnam," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(12), pages 32479-32507, December.
    3. Dang, Hoa Le & Pham, Thuyen Thi & Pham, Nhung Thi Hong & Nam, Pham Khanh, 2022. "Gender-Differentiated Determinants of Rice Farmers' Choice of Strategies to Adapt to Salinity Intrusion in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam," EfD Discussion Paper 22-9, Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg.
    4. Thu-Huong Nguyen & Oz Sahin & Michael Howes, 2021. "Climate Change Adaptation Influences and Barriers Impacting the Asian Agricultural Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-17, June.
    5. Li Peng & Jing Tan & Wei Deng & Ying Liu, 2020. "Understanding the Resilience of Different Farming Strategies in Coping with Geo-Hazards: A Case Study in Chongqing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, February.
    6. Demarchi, Gabriela & Subervie, Julie & Leite, Fernando Palha & Laclau, Jean-Paul, 2021. "Farmers' preferences for water-saving strategies in Brazilian eucalypt plantations," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    7. Chepkoech, Winifred & Stöber, Silke & Kurgat, Barnabas K. & Bett, Hillary K. & Mungai, Nancy W. & Lotze-Campen, Hermann, 2023. "What drives diversity in climate change adaptation strategies for African indigenous vegetable production in Kenya?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 716-728.
    8. Tuan Nguyen‐Anh & Shawn Leu & Anh Nguyen‐Thi‐Phuong & Thanh Ngo‐Dang & Nguyen To‐The, 2023. "Adapting to the new normal: A sustainable livelihood framework for the informal sectors during COVID‐19," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(2), pages 1092-1112, May.
    9. Abebe, Fentahun & Zuo, Alec & Wheeler, Sarah Ann & Bjornlund, Henning & Chilundo, Mario & Kissoly, Luitfred & Dube, Thabani, 2022. "The influences on farmers' planned and actual farm adaptation decisions: Evidence from small-scale irrigation schemes in South-Eastern Africa," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    10. Nasir Abbas Khan & Uttam Khanal & Clevo Wilson & Ashfaq Ahmad Shah & Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman Tariq, 2022. "The Impact of Farmers’ Adaptation to Climate Change on Rice Yields: Implications for Sustainable Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, December.
    11. Oyinlola Rafiat Ogunpaimo & Zainab Oyetunde-Usman & Jolaosho Surajudeen, 2021. "Impact of Climate Change Adaptation on Household Food Security in Nigeria—A Difference-in-Difference Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, January.
    12. Ayat Ullah & Nasir Mahmood & Alam Zeb & Harald Kächele, 2020. "Factors Determining Farmers’ Access to and Sources of Credit: Evidence from the Rain-Fed Zone of Pakistan," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-13, November.
    13. Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo & Abiodun A. Ogundeji & Chijioke U. Emenike, 2022. "Does Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Improve Food Security? A Case of Rice Farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-16, October.
    14. Koirala, Pankaj & Kotani, Koji & Managi, Shunsuke, 2022. "How do farm size and perceptions matter for farmers’ adaptation responses to climate change in a developing country? Evidence from Nepal," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 188-204.
    15. Yong Liu & Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar & Junbiao Zhang, 2023. "Do soil nutrient management practices improve climate resilience? Empirical evidence from rice farmers in central China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(9), pages 10029-10054, September.
    16. Ojo, T.O. & Baiyegunhi, L.J.S., 2020. "Determinants of climate change adaptation strategies and its impact on the net farm income of rice farmers in south-west Nigeria," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    17. Xinjun He & Anyi Huang & Jianzhong Yan & Hong Zhou & Ya Wu & Liang Emlyn Yang & Basanta Paudel, 2023. "Smallholders’ climate change adaptation strategies on the eastern Tibetan Plateau," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 118(1), pages 641-667, August.
    18. Fissha Asmare & Jūratė Jaraitė & Andrius Kažukauskas, 2022. "Climate change adaptation and productive efficiency of subsistence farming: A bias‐corrected panel data stochastic frontier approach," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(3), pages 739-760, September.
    19. Gabriel Andy Szalkowski & Christian Johansen, 2024. "Defining and measuring the effects of digital technologies on social sustainability: A systematic literature review," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 1678-1699, June.
    20. Khan, Nasir Abbas & Qiao, Jiamei & Abid, Muhammad & Gao, Qijie, 2021. "Understanding farm-level cognition of and autonomous adaptation to climate variability and associated factors: Evidence from the rice-growing zone of Pakistan," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:31:y:2023:i:5:p:3796-3810. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.