Farmer perception of climate change and adaptation strategies in Bamyan province, Afghanistan

Abstract Agriculture is the most important economic sector in Afghanistan. Most people rely on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods. This study aimed to investigate perception of climate change, its impacts and adaptation measures taken by households in their farming activities. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 194 farmers in four districts of Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, during the years 2016–2017. The province is located in the central highland of Afghanistan where farmers practice a traditional agriculture adapted to a climate with cold winters and dry summers. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess correlations between socio-demographic factors (age, education, family size, land size and income) and farmer decisions to adapt farming practices. Findings revealed that over 70% of households perceived an increase in air temperature and a decrease in precipitation, subsequently leading to drought and reduced crop yield. Further, the survey showed that farmers utilised several adaptation strategies to minimise the negative impacts of climate change on their farming. Still, adverse climatic conditions forced some families to sell their livestock and take loans. The analysis showed that family size was the most influential factor significantly and favourably influencing farmers’ decision to implement adaptation strategies, including planting early maturing crops, new varieties, water conservation, irrigation canal improvement and selling livestock. Education level, land size and income were factors affecting the farmers’ decision to advance the sowing date, whereas family size, land size and income all affected the introduction of water conservation measures. On the other hand, poverty and lack of official guidance and support were key constraints limiting the ability to implement coping strategies. Therefore, it is key that the government addresses these challenges in agriculture and help farmers increase their resilience toward climate change.