Climate-Led-Vulnerability of Farmers in Datia District of Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Climate change is a major concern for agricultural sustainability in the Bundelkhand agro-climatic zone, where farming livelihoods are strongly dependent on climate-sensitive agriculture. This study assessed the climate-led vulnerability of 119 farmers in Datia district, Madhya Pradesh, through the three dimensions of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. A structured vulnerability scale based on these dimensions was used, and indicator scores were normalised before calculating a composite climate vulnerability index. The findings showed that 33.61% of respondents were in the very high exposure category, indicating substantial exposure to climatic variability. Sensitivity was also pronounced, with 45.38% of farmers classified in the very high sensitivity category. Reported adaptive capacity varied across categories, indicating differences in the extent to which farmers had adopted coping and adaptation measures. Overall climate-led vulnerability was most frequently moderate, with 36.13% of farmers in this category. The results indicate that farmers’ vulnerability reflects the combined influence of climatic exposure, sensitivity of agricultural livelihoods, and the capacity to adopt coping and adaptation measures. Strengthening water conservation, irrigation access, climate-resilient agricultural practices, natural resource management, climate information, and institutional support may help improve resilience. Integrated interventions addressing exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity together are therefore important for supporting sustainable agricultural livelihoods in Datia district.