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Climate change and rural livelihoods: The potential of extension programs for sustainable development

Author

Listed:
  • Ayat Ullah
  • Miroslava Bavorova
  • Ashfaq Ahmad Shah
  • Giri Prasad Kandel

Abstract

Agricultural extension programs promote regenerative land management practices by increasing farmers' awareness of land use, climate risks, and adoption of adaptation practices for sustainable livelihoods. This study focuses on the perceptions of communities that participate in extension programs and those that do not, regarding climate change risks and livelihood sustainability in Pakistan's Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. The findings indicate that communities participating in extension programs reported poor community land use practices as a cause of negative climate impacts. Farmers identified livestock deaths due to drought and frequent flooding as the main climate risks in their communities. Our study emphasizes the crucial role of extension programs in mitigating and adapting to environmental risks by increasing awareness, promoting a comprehensive understanding of climate risks and adaptation, and planning for land use management. Additionally, our findings underscore the significance of extension initiatives in enhancing livelihoods, such as agriculture, livestock, and forest‐based livelihoods, in the face of climate change challenges. We recommend increasing access to extension programs, strengthening the role of extension initiatives in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and promoting community participation in decision‐making to support sustainable livelihoods.

Suggested Citation

  • Ayat Ullah & Miroslava Bavorova & Ashfaq Ahmad Shah & Giri Prasad Kandel, 2024. "Climate change and rural livelihoods: The potential of extension programs for sustainable development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(5), pages 4992-5004, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:32:y:2024:i:5:p:4992-5004
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.2951
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Solomon O. Okunade & Joe E. Assoua & Samuel O. Binuomote & Evans Osabuohien & Bomdzele Eric & Sarah Enwa & Olanrewaju Omosehin, 2025. "Climate Change, Land Degradation and Sustainable Development in Africa? Evidence for AfCFTA Implementation," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(4), pages 5251-5268, August.
    4. Bernard Kwamena Cobbina Essel & Ebenezer Donkor & Ayat Ullah & Faizal Adams & Miroslava Bavorova, 2026. "Youth Entrepreneurship, Credit Access and Post‐Disaster Business Recovery: Evidence From Informal Food Enterprises in Ghana," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 38(3), pages 488-504, April.
    5. Nihal Genc & H. Ebru Colak & Volkan Baser, 2025. "Towards Sustainable Futures: An Interdisciplinary Bridge—A Bibliometric Review on Climate Change, Agriculture, Land Management, and GIS," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(4), pages 5848-5873, August.
    6. Chittaranjan Kole & Saumyesh Acharya & Abhishek Ghosh & Shraddha Bhattacharjee & Souvik Ghosh & S. Antony Ceasar, 2025. "Farmers’ Academy: A Novel Farmers-Driven Strategy for Agricultural Education, Research and Extension," Journal of Agricultural Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 17(7), pages 1-1, June.

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