Systematic review of climate-induced temperature rise impacts on agricultural households

Abstract Climate change is causing temperatures to rise and is affecting the underdeveloped and developing nations, especially marginalised communities more severely than others. Due to constant heat exposure, farmers remain the most severely affected by the rise in temperature. However, there remains a dearth of studies reviewing the impact of rising temperatures on agricultural households through primary studies. This study attempts to comprehensively review the existing literature and understand the channels of this effect through the lens of health, working efficiency, gender and the adaptation measures employed by the farmers. This study conducts a systematic literature review by using the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Through examining a total of 4151 records, the review found 25 studies that laid focus on the impact through household level data. The review found a sharp increase in these studies in recent years. Farmers are often exposed to extreme heat and face serious health risks, including heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. It reduces physical ability, lowering productivity by 2–4% for every 1 °C rise above 25 °C. Women are found to sweat less, have higher body temperatures and have clothing that makes them more prone to dehydration and heat-related illness. Farmers are adapting through taking frequent baths, drinking a lot of water and using fans. They use crop diversification and heat-tolerant plant types and effective irrigational techniques like drip irrigation. Apart from behavioural adjustments, all other adaptation methods remain less pronounced and require policy inititatives and funding.