MadrasAgric.J.,2024; https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.500022

111|7-9|

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Received: 16 Aug 2024

Revised: 27 Aug 2024

Accepted: 06 Sep 2024

*Corresponding author's e-mail: ashwinidangore1995@gmail.com

Climate Smart Agriculture Awareness among Farm Women in

Ratnagiri District

Ashwini P. Dangore¹, Parvathy Sasidharan²and Sanjay B. Agale³

1Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Nandurbar (MS) India.

2Department of Extension Education, Dr. BSKKV, Dapoli (MS) India.

3Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Nandurbar (MS)

ABSTRACT

It is crucial to empower farm women to respond to climate change

challenges. Recognising and promoting awareness about the gender

dimensions of climate change all contribute to effective climate change

adaptation. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is one interdisciplinary strategy

for addressing the interconnected challenges of food security and climate

change, with the clear goal of increasing food security, productivity and income,

adaptability to climate change, and agricultural system efficiency. The study

intended to assess the awareness level of farm women on climate-smart

agriculture, taking indicators on climate change, causes of climate change,

and climate variables influencing the production as major dimensions. The

sample comprised 30 farm women chosen at random from two villages in

the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. The majority of the respondents, viz

90.00 percent, 73.33 percent, and 70.00 percent, had a medium level of

awareness of indicators on climate change, causes of climate change, and

climate variables influencing production, respectively. More than half of

the respondents fell into the middle category in terms of age, education,

family size, and annual income. 66.67 percent of respondents had nuclear

families, and the remaining possessed joint families. 56.67 percent of farm

women were members of a single organization, while 43.33 percent were

members of multiple organizations.

Keywords: Climate change, Awareness. Farm workers, Productivity , Adaptability

INTRODUCTION

“Climate change” is a change that is recognized

directly or indirectly by human activity that alters the

composition of the global atmosphere (UNFCCC).

Agriculture is essentially sensitive to climatic changes

and is one of the most vulnerable sectors. Climate

change directly affects agriculture production and

production efficiency. It affects agriculture in terms

of productivity, agricultural practices, environmental

effects, rural space, and adaptation. Climate change

is visibly occurring across the globe, impacting

the conditions, experiences, and livelihoods of

populations in multiple ways. Unfavourable weather

conditions such as delayed monsoon, intermitted dry

spells, erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts etc., are

the major concern to the farmers. Climate change is

today’s most debated environmental issue. It is an

important issue because it can affect all aspects of

the society and the livelihood of people especially the

rural farmers. Climate change is the biggest threat

to agriculture in India, but farmers are still not fully

aware of climate change and its indicators, causes,

and impacts. Although women are important food

producers and providers, they have limited access to

and control of resources. On the other hand, because

of their central role in agriculture, women are great

agents of social change. Climate-smart agriculture

(CSA) is an approach to ensure food security, increase

productivity and incomes, build resilience to climate

MadrasAgric.J.,2024; https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.500022

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change, and reduce emissions from agricultural

systems.

Objective

To study the climate smart agriculture awareness

among farm women in Ratnagiri district

Methodology

Ratnagiri district was selected for the present

study. The survey was carried out to determine farm

women’s awareness of climate-smart agriculture.

An ex-post facto research design was used in this

study. The random sample approach was used to

pick 30 respondents. The information was gathered

through first hand interviews with farm women. In the

current study, statistical methods such as frequency,

percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation

were used for interpretation and making conclusions.

RESULTS

The data in table 1 showed that the majority

(76.67 percent) of the respondents had medium level

of education (middle and high school, 5-10^th and 11-

12^th std), followed by 23.33 percent with high level

of education (above 12th std, graduation), and none

of them with low level of education. The majority

(66.67 percent) of respondents belonged to families

with medium size (3-5 members), followed by 20.00

percent with large family size (above 5 members), and

13.33 percent with small family size (upto 2 members).

Two third (66.67 per cent) of respondents belonged

to ‘nuclear’ families and one third (33.33 per cent) of

them belonged to ‘joint’ families.

1 Annual Income:

•

Low (< 50,000): 12 individuals (40.00%)

•

Medium (50,001 to 1,00,000): 14 individuals

(46.67%)

•

High (> 1,00,001): 4 individuals (13.33%)

Explanation: The distribution of annual income shows

that a slightly higher percentage of individuals fall into

the medium-income category (46.67%), with 40.00%

falling into the low-income category.

2. Social Participation:

•

Member of one organization: 17 individuals

(56.67%)

•

Member of more than one organization: 13

individuals (43.33%)

Explanation: A majority of the participants (56.67%)

are members of at least one organization, suggesting

a significant level of social engagement within the

surveyed population.

The data in Table 2 awareness of farm women

regarding the level of awareness on indicators on

Table 1 Distribution according to Personal and socio-economic profile of farm women

Sl. No

Component

Categories

Frequency

Percentage

Age

Young (upto 35 years)

Middle (36-55 years)

Old (above 55 years)

06.67

66.67

26.66

Education

Low (primary school, 1-4^th std)

Medium (middle and high school,

5-10^th and 11-12^th std)

High (above 12^th std, graduation)

00.00

76.67

23.33

Family size

Small (upto 2 members)

Medium (3-5 member)

Large (above 5 members)

13.33

66.67

20.00

Family type

Nuclear

Joint

66.67

33.33

Annual income

Low (< 50,000)

Medium (50,001 to 1,00,000)

High (> 1,00,001)

40.00

46.67

13.33

Social participation

Member of one organization

Member of more than one

organization

56.67

43.33

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Table 2 Distribution of respondents according to the level of awareness of indicators on climate

change

Sl.

No.

Indicators /Phenomenon

Level of awareness in Percentage (%)

Fully aware

Somewhat

Not aware

Increase in melting of the glacier

16 (53.33)

10 (33.33)

04 (13.34)

Increase in temperature

24 (80.00)

02 (06.66)

04 (13.34)

Changes in water

18 (60.00)

09 (30.00)

03 (10.00)

Irregular and erratic rainfall

24 (80.00)

03 (10.00)

Change in length of season (Short winter,

Long summer)

24 (80.00)

04 (13.34)

02 (06.66)

Change in intensity and frequency of storm

20 (66.66)

05 (16.77)

Decline of soil productivity

24 (80.00)

03 (10.00)

Occurrence of extreme event (Cold wave,

Heatwave, Heavy fog)

17 (56.67)

11 (36.77)

02 (06.66)

Frequent flood

26(86.77)

04 (13.33)

00 (00.00)

climate change revealed that the great majority of

the farm women, 86.77 per cent, were fully aware of

the frequent flood, followed by 36.77 per cent were

somewhat aware of the occurrence of extreme event

(Cold wave, Heatwave, Heavy fog) and 16.77 per cent

were not aware of change in intensity and frequency

of storm.

The fig.1 shows that the majority (90.00 percent)

of respondents had a medium level of awareness

of indicators of climate change, followed by 06.66

per cent and 03.33 per cent had low and high

levels of awareness of indicators of climate change,

respectively.

Fig. 1 Distribution of respondents according to the level of awareness on indicators of climate

change

Madras Agric.J.,2024; https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.500022

wave, Heatwave, Heavy fog) and 16.77 per cent were not aware of change in intensity and frequency of

storm.

Fig. 1 Distribution of respondents according to the level of awareness on indicators of climate change

The fig.1 shows that the majority (90.00 percent) of respondents had a medium level of

awareness of indicators of climate change followed by 06 66 per cent and 03 33 per cent had low and

The data in table 3 awareness of farm women

regarding causes of climate change observed that,

great majority of the farm women 96.77 per cent were

fully aware of natural disaster, followed by 33.33 per

cent were somewhat aware of overpopulation and

23.33 per cent were not aware of use of electrical

appliances.

The fig. 2 indicated that nearly three forth i.e.,

73.00 per cent of respondent had medium, 17.00

per cent had high and 10.00 per cent had low level of

awareness on causes of climate change.

The data in table 4 awareness of farm women

regarding climate variable influencing production

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Table.3 Distribution of respondents according to the level of Awareness on Causes of Climate

Change

Sl. No.

Statement

Level of awareness in Percentage (%)

Fully aware

Somewhat

Not aware

Increase in number of vehicles

26 (86.77)

03 (10.00)

01 (03.33)

Overpopulation

19 (63.44)

10 (33.33)

01 (03.33)

Use of Pesticides

26 (86.77)

02 (06.66)

Burning of fossils and farm waste

21 (70.00)

06 (20.00)

03 (10.00)

Industries and factories

22 (73.33)

05 (16.77)

03 (10.00)

Global Warming

27 (90.00)

00 (00.00)

03 (10.00)

Use of electrical appliances

14 (46.77)

09 (30.00)

07 (23.33)

Pollution

25 (83.33)

05 (16.77)

00 (00.00)

Rapid urbanization

23 (76.77)

06 (20.00)

01 (03.33)

10.

Natural Disaster

29 (96.77)

01 (03.33)

00 (00.00)

Fig. 2 Level of awareness on causes of climate change

Madras Agric.J.,2024; https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.500022

The fig. 2 indicated that nearly three forth i.e., 73.00 per cent of respondent had medium, 17.00

per cent had high and 10.00 per cent had low level of awareness on causes of climate change.

Table.4 Distribution of respondents according to the Level of Awareness on climate variable influencing

production

Sl. No.

Incidence

Degree of change in percentage (%)

Extreme

Moderate

Negligible

None

Increased temperature

24 (80.00)

05 (16.77)

01 (03.33)

00 (00.00)

Drought

11 (36.77)

17 (56.77)

01 (03.33)

Flood

24 (80.00)

05 (16.77)

01 (03.33)

00 (00.00)

Change in growing season

11 (36.77)

13 (43.33)

06 (20.00)

00 (00.00)

The data in table 4 awareness of farm women regarding climate variable influencing production

showed that the majority of the farm women, 80.00 percent were the extreme level of awareness of

increased temperature and flood, followed by 56.77 percent, were the moderate level of aware of drought,

and 20.22 percent were the negligible level of aware about change in the growing season.

Fig. 3 Level of awareness on climate variable influencing production

Table.4 Distribution of respondents according to the Level of Awareness on climate variable

influencing production

Sl. No.

Incidence

Degree of change in percentage (%)

Extreme

Moderate

Negligible

None

Increased temperature

24 (80.00)

05 (16.77)

01 (03.33)

00 (00.00)

Drought

11 (36.77)

17 (56.77)

01 (03.33)

Flood

24 (80.00)

05 (16.77)

01 (03.33)

00 (00.00)

Change in growing season

11 (36.77)

13 (43.33)

06 (20.00)

00 (00.00)

showed that the majority of the farm women, 80.00

percent were the extreme level of awareness of

increased temperature and flood, followed by 56.77

percent, were the moderate level of aware of drought,

and 20.22 percent were the negligible level of aware

about change in the growing season.

Fig. 3 showed that the majority, i.e., 70.00 percent

of the respondents, had medium level of awareness,

followed by 16.77 percent, and 13.33 percent with

high and low levels of awareness on climate variables

influencing production.

CONCLUSION

The study on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)

awareness among farm women in Ratnagiri district

MadrasAgric.J.,2024; https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.500022

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Fig. 3 Level of awareness on climate variable influencing production

Madras Agric.J.,2024; https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.500022

Vol 111| 7-9

Fig. 3 showed that the majority, i.e., 70.00 percent of the respondents, had medium level of

awareness, followed by 16.77 percent, and 13.33 percent with high and low levels of awareness on

climate variables influencing production.

Conclusion

The study on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) awareness among farm women in Ratnagiri district

highlights the critical role of women in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Findings reveal a

varying degree of awareness among the respondents regarding CSA practices, with some familiarity with

basic concepts but significant gaps in advanced knowledge and implementation. This underscores the

need for targeted interventions, such as capacity-building programs and outreach efforts, to enhance their

understanding and application of CSA practices. Empowering farm women with relevant skills and

knowledge is pivotal for the successful adoption of CSA, particularly in a region like Ratnagiri, where

agriculture is heavily influenced by climatic conditions. Collaborative efforts involving governmental bodies,

non-governmental organizations, and local communities can facilitate this process by providing accessible

training, resources, and support systems. Ultimately, strengthening the CSA awareness of farm women can

lead to more resilient agricultural systems, improved livelihoods, and a sustainable future for the farming

communities in the district. This study serves as a foundational step for developing focused strategies to

bridge the awareness and implementation gaps, contributing to the broader goals of climate resilience and

agricultural sustainability.

References

Neela Rani and Uma Jyothi. 2020. Climate smart agriculture- Awareness of farm women. International

Journal of Current

Microbiology and Applied Sciences.

9(9):

3509-3516.

doi:

https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.909.435

Rupan Raghuvanshi, Ansari, M, A. and Amardeep. 2017. A study of farmers’ awareness about climate

change and adaptation practices in India. International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences.

3(6): 154-160. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaas.20170306.13

Stamm, K., Clark, F. and Eblacas, P. 2000. Mass communication and public understanding of

environmental problems: the case of global warming. Public Understanding of Science. 9(3): 219-

237. doi: 10.1088/0963-6625/9/3/302

Sujit, S. and Pandaria, R. N. 2010. Farmer‘s Awareness and Risk perception about climate change in

coastal ecosystem of West Bengal. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education. 10 (2).

Corpus ID: 131278026

highlights the critical role of women in promoting

sustainable agricultural practices. Findings reveal a

varying degree of awareness among the respondents

regarding CSA practices, with some familiarity with

basic concepts but significant gaps in advanced

knowledge and implementation. This underscores

the need for targeted interventions, such as capacity-

building programs and outreach efforts, to enhance

their understanding and application of CSA practices.

Empowering farm women with relevant skills and

knowledge is pivotal for the successful adoption

of CSA, particularly in a region like Ratnagiri, where

agriculture is heavily influenced by climatic conditions.

Collaborative

efforts

involving

governmental

bodies, non-governmental organizations, and local

communities can facilitate this process by providing

accessible training, resources, and support systems.

Ultimately, strengthening the CSA awareness of farm

women can lead to more resilient agricultural systems,

improved livelihoods, and a sustainable future for the

farming communities in the district. This study serves

as a foundational step for developing focused strategies

to bridge the awareness and implementation gaps,

contributing to the broader goals of climate resilience

and agricultural sustainability.

REFERENCES

Neela

Rani

and

Uma

Jyothi.

2020.

Climate

smart

agriculture-

Awareness

farm

women.

International

Journal

Current

Microbiology and Applied Sciences. 9(9):

3509-3516.

doi:

https://doi.org/10.20546/

ijcmas.2020.909.435

Rupan Raghuvanshi, Ansari, M, A. and Amardeep. 2017.

A study of farmers’ awareness about climate

change and adaptation practices in India.

International Journal of Applied Agricultural

Sciences.

3(6):

154-160.

doi:

10.11648/j.

ijaas.20170306.13

Stamm, K., Clark, F. and Eblacas, P. 2000. Mass

communication and public understanding of

environmental problems: the case of global

warming. Public Understanding of Science. 9(3):

219-237. doi: 10.1088/0963-6625/9/3/302

Sujit, S. and Pandaria, R. N. 2010. Farmer‘s Awareness

and Risk perception about climate change

in coastal ecosystem of West Bengal. Indian

Research Journal of Extension Education. 10

(2). Corpus ID: 131278026