Relationship between Socio Economic Profile and Adaptation Strategies of Maize Farmers to Climate Change in Maharashtra, India

Maize, the third most important cereal crop in the world following wheat and rice, is particularly affected by climate change. Maize is particularly sensitive to heat stress during the anthesis (flowering) and grain filling phase, which may result in decreased yields. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes the critical importance of adaptation in agriculture to climate change. The present study investigated the socio-economic profile of maize growers and examined its correlation with the adaptation strategies followed by them to mitigate the impact of climate change. This study was conducted in three tehsils namely Niphad, Nandgaon and Yeola of Nashik district in Maharashtra, involving a sample of 120 respondents from 12 villages. The study findings indicated that most maize growers were in the middle age group, had education up to secondary school level, belonged to medium family size, possessed medium farming experience, small landholding and medium annual income. Additionally, it was found that the majority of farmers had medium level of social participation, extension participation, mass media exposure and medium level of scientific orientation. As regards to relationship between socio-economic profile of maize growers and adaptation strategies followed, the study depicted that, independent variables such as education, farming experience, land holding, annual income, area under maize, social participation, extension contact, mass media exposure and scientific orientation demonstrated significant positive correlation with the adaptation strategies followed. Whereas, age is positively and non-significantly associated with the adaptation strategies followed and size of the family is negatively correlated with adaptation strategies followed. As extension and social participation are positively related to adaptation strategies followed, we can infer that creating awareness on climate change adaptation strategies by organizing more extension campaigns, training programs and providing subsidies or incentives for farmers will be motivate them to better adapt to climate change.