Background The arid and semi-arid lands experience inherently unpredictable rainfall and frequent droughts, which are exacerbated by climate change. This consequently leads to deterioration of land resources, and eventually forage and water shortages that negatively impact livestock productivity. In Kenya, development and government agencies have been supporting on-farm adaptation strategies such as water harvesting conservation structures to cope with climate hazards that affect agricultural production and food security in agro-pastoral and pastoral systems. The various water harvesting structures that have been promoted include Zai pits for growing crops and trees, water pans and shallow wells for livestock and domestic use, as well as for irrigation. However, the impact of such interventions with regard to improvement of range productivity and therefore welfare of agro-pastoral and pastoral communities has not been felt owing to low adoption rate by households. Results This study determined social, economic and institutional factors influencing the adoption of water harvesting technologies by households in pastoral areas of Tana river County of Kenya. The data was collected through household survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The results show that access to extension services and training, level of monthly income, main source of livelihood, land tenure, membership in social groups and availability of active farm labor significantly influenced the adoption of water harvesting structures. Conclusion Pastoralists therefore need to be mobilized and trained on how to construct and use water harvesting structures and sensitized on the potential socioeconomic benefits of adopting them.

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The objective of this paper has been to review the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of marginal (those cultivating less than one-hectare land) and small farmers (cultivating between 1 and 2 hectares land) and their coping and adaptation strategies enhancing their resilience to climate change. This paper reviewed literature including peer-reviewed papers, reports, and books related to climate change impacts on agriculture and livelihoods of marginal and small farmers in developing countries. The findings reveal that marginal and small farmers are vulnerable to climate change and variability, on account of their marginalized status, direct reliance on agriculture for their livelihoods, and inadequate resources and capacity to deal with adversities. The review found that climate change is negatively impacting livelihoods of marginal and small farmers by reducing crop and animal yields, crop failures, crop and animal diseases outbreak, livestock mortality, shortage of pasture and water for livestock all of which eventuates in reduced farm income, food insecurity and a downward spiral in social and economic indicators like health, education, and wellbeing. Although marginal and small farmers are using diverse coping and adaptation strategies some of which are climate-smart as well, they are constrained by several social, economic, and institutional factors which reveal the need for planned or policy-driven adaptation practices. The literature suggests mainstreaming adaptation into development planning and programs as the best option to help farmers in their adaptation practices and also to avoid working at cross-purposes but more judiciously use of resources.

The paper intends to explore the perceptions of the youth regarding the economic recovery of Jammu and Kashmir in India after the abrogation of Article 370, and to draw the policy implications for the speedier economic recovery of conflict-ridden regions. The study has been confined to the Jammu region and focused on four selected districts of the Jammu region viz Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch. A cluster sampling technique has been used to select respondents from the selected districts. The study has been restricted to the educated youth of selected districts as they represent the hope for the future and they can better interpret economic recovery. The primary data has been collected through a questionnaire survey of the youth of selected districts. A total of 120 educated youth (graduates, postgraduates, research degree holders belonging to different religious groups viz. Hindus and Muslims: 40 each, and Christians and Sikhs: 20 each) have been selected based on their approximate proportional representation in the total population. Data has been analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The paper reveals that economic recovery requires significant development of businesses and local economies. Young population is the heartbeat and energetic force for economic development. Therefore, their participation in economic recovery is vital to give right direction to the economy specifically since the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The developmental aspirations of the youth focused on agriculture reforms, investment in manufacturing, transportation, health, education, infrastructure, banking, and transparency in all development planning and implementation. Youth education and training and self-employment including the development of tourism, horticulture and handicrafts sectors were prioritized for economic recovery post-abrogation of Article 370. Addressing persistently high unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir has been ranked as one of the top priority areas for economic recovery. There is a need to rejuvenate the sick industrial units for creating sustained employment opportunities for youth. Tourism, handicrafts and horticulture sectors should be developed to reduce poverty, promote exports and generate employment for the youth through substantial funding from the Central government and private sector.

The main objectives of the study have been to analyze the situation of youth unemployment and employment in South Asia, challenges of skills gaps and job opportunities for youth in the context of technological changes, and draw policy implications to address youth employment challenges by reorienting the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to leverage youth employment potential in changing demographic-economic-technological dynamics of South Asia. The study has drawn the secondary data from the two major databases of the International Labour Organization and the World Bank. Data triangulation method has been used to the relevant data and the short-listed data has been analyzed through simple descriptive statistics and deductive content analysis to evaluate the data more comprehensively and scientifically. Theoretical triangulation method has been used to support the conclusions drawn from the findings and to lower the threat of wrong interpretation of research outcomes by a deeper and broader analysis. In the South Asian region, youth unemployment rate (YUR) has been estimated at 18.8% in 2020, which is projected to increase to 18.9% in 2021. High youth unemployment levels in South Asia have been due to a lack of appropriate skills through the TVET than the lack of jobs. In South Asian countries, skills for work have been largely provided at secondary and tertiary levels through TVET programs besides non-formal training programs in public and private institutions, including employers, but still, the skills mismatches are huge in the context of new technological changes and innovations. Therefore, robust policy actions are needed to address the skills gaps and meet the youth employment challenges by reorienting TVET programs to ensure that the skills taught in TVET are demanded and valued in the labor market.

The paper intends to analyze the implications of the Indo-Pacific (IP) and the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) from the perspectives of major world powers and India's relevance in the Indo-Pacific region (IPR) vis-à-vis India's Look East Policy (LEP) to Act East Policy (AEP) along with India's approach to the IP, exploring the challenges and opportunities for India in the larger geopolitical context of the IP and reaction of the Indian government to advances in the region. For India, the multi-dimensional regional cooperation in the IP would promote economic relations and improve regional capacity to tackle the complex regional challenges. Therefore, robust maritime connectivity is essential for a more common and mutually-reinforcing market-driven economic structure in the IP. Robust maritime services can reduce transportation costs and boost cross-border trade and infrastructure investment in the countries of the region. In this context, India's Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) could be a robust step to strengthen maritime connectivity. There is a need to address the multifaceted maritime-security risks and disputes for shared prosperity in the countries of the IPR using collective approaches to focus on technical cooperation, capacity building, and sharing of knowledge and expertise. Regional economic and trade integration can facilitate global trade and build necessary infrastructure, for which role in the bigger IP economies is essential. Therefore, the economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region would be a major driving force for speeding up cooperation within the IP.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has significant implications on the future of work and skills required in the gig economy. In the recent past, a large supply of young workers had led to rapid economic transformation in many Asian countries through well-suited education systems to create skills needed for employment. However, the old model of education and production will no longer sustain rapid growth in the decades ahead due to the rapidly changing demand for skills. Against the above backdrop, the paper has analyzed Asian experiences in technological transition, skills mismatches and labour market outcomes in the context of existing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems. What are the challenges and opportunities of the 4IR for skill development through TVET in Asia? The paper has suggested a model for 4IR compatible skill development for the future of the work and draws the implications for the future. 4IR induced massive job losses calls for adequate skills development or retraining of displaced workforce and new entrants in foundational skills to enable them to tap the opportunities of new technologies. This requires robust TVET systems to equip workers with new skills for emerging jobs, which can be possible by increasing the quality of program structure to meet the needs of labour market. The technical training should be integrated into with the secondary education through education reforms to impart skills to thrive in the knowledge economy. The system of quality apprenticeships should be evolved with the active collaboration of potential employers in the curriculum development of TVET programs.

This paper has identified the impacts of climate change on fuel wood energy use in Drass, District Kargil, Ladakh in the Himalayan region and drawn the policy implication to improve the livelihoods of the people in the context of climate change using a case study approach. The study reveals that the major source of energy used and consumed in Drass is fuel wood. Almost all energy requirements for cooking and heating are met by burning fuel wood which produces smoke, cause air pollution, emits carbon dioxide and thereby contributes to climate change. Less than half of the farmers grow fuel wood in gardens or homesteads. Most farmers purchased fuel wood from the market. Awareness of environmental effects of using fuel wood is significant. Despite this, the exposure of women to indoor air pollution from biomass fuel combustion was significantly high. The use of cleaner energy was significantly low due to economic reasons as well as inadequate accessibility and availability. Forest resources are meager in Drass. Therefore, efforts should be made to increase forest cover with the stronger participation of local communities. The government sponsored schemes targeting efficient energy usage and energy insecurity should be implemented in letter and spirit through greater people's participation.