Rainfall Variation, Adaptaion, and Mitigation Strategies: Farmers' Perceptions in Solapur District

Abstract Rainfall variability, a key manifestation of climate change, poses significant challenges to rain-fed agriculture, impacting crop productivity, soil quality, and farmers’ livelihoods. This study investigates farmers’ perceptions of rainfall variability and their adaptation and mitigation strategies across 11 tahsils in a drought-prone region. Based on a survey of 550 households, the findings reveal that 88.91% of farmers perceive changes in rainfall patterns over the past decade, with droughts (70.73%) being the dominant form of variability. Adaptation strategies include irrigation (68.36%), crop diversification (44.73%), and rainwater harvesting (61.82%), while mitigation efforts involve soil conservation (58.18%) and crop insurance (86.91%). However, limited government support (rated "poor" or "very poor" by 60.72%) and low interaction with agricultural extension services (48.91% never interacted) highlight gaps in institutional support. This paper underscores the need for integrated, context-specific strategies to enhance farmers’ resilience to climate change. Additional barriers include financial constraints, lack of technical knowledge, and unpredictable weather events that hinder timely responses. This research is based on an extensive analysis of historical rainfall data, agricultural practices, and mitigation strategies employed in the region. The findings will contribute to policy recommendations and practical solutions for managing rainfall variability and mitigating its adverse effects in Solapur district.