K.M. Dipti and Rekha Vyas
Abstract
Climate change poses significant challenges to farm women, affecting their livelihoods, agricultural activities, and overall well-being. The present study assessed the social network relations, livelihood strategies, and coping mechanisms adopted by farm women to address climate-related risks. A descriptive and exploratory research design was used in the Chittorgarh and Pratapgarh districts of Rajasthan, with a sample of 240 respondents selected from two agro-climatic zones. Data were collected using a pre-coded interview schedule. The study revealed that social support from friends, NGOs, and government agencies played an important role during extreme events. Around 30 per cent of respondents reported changes in livelihood strategies, including agricultural adjustments, migration, and employment diversification. Drought was identified as the major climatic factor influencing adaptation. Common coping strategies included changing crop varieties, using improved and hybrid seeds, crop rotation, intercropping, indigenous technical knowledge, pump irrigation, water management, crop insurance, and mechanized farming. The study revealed that farm women actively adopt a range of adaptation and coping strategies to reduce climate-related risks. Strengthening institutional support, climate-resilient agricultural practices, and livelihood diversification can further enhance their resilience and adaptive capacity. The chi-square test of independence was used to examine the association between demographic variables (including age and education) and adaptive capacity. The analysis stated a statistically non-significant association with age and adaptive capacity and a significant association between education and adaptive capacity.