Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food Security Among the Juang Tribe in Kendujhar District, Odisha

Abstract: This study inspects the impact of climate change on agriculture and food security among the Juang tribe in Kendujhar district of Odisha. The Juang Tribe is recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and habitually depends on agriculture, forest resources, and cyclical labour for its livelihood. However, in recent years, climate change has meaningfully impacted their agricultural practices, crop productivity, and overall livelihood safety. Irregular rainfall patterns, increasing temperatures, and recurrent droughts have created serious challenges for traditional agriculture systems in the region. The main aims of this study are to understand the tribal community in the Panasanasa village, which is occupied by the Juang tribe, and to study their socio-economic and agricultural conditions in the context of changing climatic situations. The study also aims to find the various types of agriculture practised by the Juang people, including maintenance farming, shifting farming, and small-scale crop production. Another important objective is to analyse the economic disorder of tribal households and to recognize how climate change has influenced their income sources, agricultural productivity, and livelihood constancy. Furthermore, the study seeks to assess the level of food security among the Juang community and to explore how environmental changes affect their access to appropriate and nutritious food. This study is descriptive and systematically based on the examination of research questions. The study depends on field-based observations, interviews, and the collection of primary data from Panasanasa Juang villages in Kendujhar district. The results are expected to provide insights into the relationships among climate change, agriculture, and food security among tribal communities, and to highlight the necessity for sustainable agricultural practices, climate variation strategies, and helpful government policies.