Identification of Key Adaptation Practices adopted by Wheat Growing Farmers of Punjab, Pakistan: A Qualitative Approach

Abstract

Climate change has now become a subject of concern for the whole world especially for developing countries. According to Global Climate Risk Index (GCRI) 2021, Pakistan lies at eight number amongst top ten countries of world which are facing severe impacts of climatic changes. Climate change has serious repercussions on the agriculture sector of Pakistan. Mitigation and Adaptation are considered to be options by climate change experts to counter negative impacts of climate change. By keeping above in view, the objective of this study was to identify adaptation practices adopted by farmers in Punjab, Pakistan. The Primary data was used and collected through qualitative data collection techniques i.e. In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Based on the research plan, five IDIs were conducted with experts related to agriculture sector and with farmers of study area. Further, five FGDs were conducted in five selected districts of the study area. Based upon discussions with experts and with local farmers, key adaptation practices adopted by majority of farmers were: Rice crop residues incorporation, Change in sowing time, sowing method for wheat crop (Broadcast, Ridge sowing), certified seed varieties of wheat, change of seed rate, deep ploughing using chisel plough, laser land levelling (LLL), application of potash, changing the number of irrigations, application of farm yard manure (FYM), drainage of water from field (pumps or other means) and use of weather forecasting. NVivo qualitative data analysis software was used to depict this qualitative discussion into two types of structures i.e., Word Tree and Word Cloud.