Climate Change and Agricultural Households: What Determines Their Awareness in Dang District, Nepal?

Climate change has impacted Nepal’s agricultural sector more than other economic sectors. Fluctuating rainfall pattern, rising temperatures, and occurrence of climatic extremes are substantially affecting agricultural productivity and food security. Agricultural households' considerations for reasons behind climate change are divergent from its occurrence. This study aims to analyze the trends in climatic parameters and identify the factors that determine the awareness of households to climate change using data from climate change impact survey of Nepal. The study is focused in Dang district with a sample size of 320. The univariate probit model was used to examine determinants of agricultural household’s awareness to climate change. The study showed about 52% of respondent households are aware of climate change. Mass communication/media such as television and radio are primary sources to sensitize households on climate change. Trend of climatic parameters showed an increasing trend in temperatures for all seasons and decreasing trend for rainfall during autumn and winter seasons. Gender of respondent, household members involved in community-based organizations, experiencing droughts in last 25 years, education of household head, and non-agricultural income sources were positive and significant variables while distance to motorable roads was negative and significant variable determining awareness households. Results imply a need to strengthen and promote community-based organizations for information and knowledge sharing, and increase the on-farm post-production activities, and non-farm opportunities to household members. In addition, considerations should be given to trend in climatic parameters while promoting any adaptation practices to climate change.