CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND SMALLHOLDER FARMING SYSTEMS: A STUDY OF AGRICULTURAL ADAPTATION IN AHMEDABAD DISTRICT, GUJARAT

Increasing variability in rainfall and temperature has become a major challenge for agricultural communities, particularly in regions where farming depends heavily on monsoon rainfall. In India, smallholder farmers constitute a major share of the agrarian economy, and their dependence on monsoon-based cultivation exposes them significantly to climate stress. This study examines the effects of climate variability on agricultural productivity, income stability, and livelihood security among smallholder farmers residing near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The research adopts a mixed-method case study approach combining quantitative and qualitative data. Primary data were collected from 120 farmers across four agro-climatic talukas—Sanand, Bavla, Viramgam, and Dholka—using structured questionnaires and interviews. Secondary climate data on rainfall, temperature, and extreme weather events from 2014 to June 2025 were analyzed. The results show intensifying climate fluctuations characterized by delayed monsoon onset, concentrated rainfall events, extended dry spells, and increasing heatwave frequency. These climatic disruptions reduced yields of cotton, cumin, bajra, castor, and wheat while increasing input costs, pest infestation, and dependence on irrigation. Consequently, household income declined, outstanding debt rose, and nearly half of the farming households reported supplemental migration. Adaptation strategies included crop diversification, drought-resistant seeds, micro-irrigation, crop insurance, and non-farm work; however, the coping mechanisms remain insufficient for long-term resilience. The study concludes that climate variability exacerbates agricultural vulnerability, emphasizing the need for climate-smart practices, localized institutional support, reliable crop insurance, and accessible weather advisory services to safeguard the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.