24. Adaptability of Farmers in Assam Towards Extreme Climate Effects: An Empirical Investigation

This chapter tries to examine the adaptability of farmers with changing climatic and role of various factors in adaptation and crop diversificaty in Assam. Diversity of crops here is measured by Herfindahl Index (HI) at the farm as well as village level. Also the adaptation index (AI) is constructed using formula AI = (∑P _i  * X _i )/n, where P _i is the weight of ith adaptation; X _i . P _i is computed as the proportion of ith strategy in the gross number of adaptations followed by all the farmers in the area. Effects of different factors on the level of diversification of crops by the individual farmers and on the adaptability with the changing agro-climatic conditions are examined by the multiple regression of the type Y = βX + D + U _i . Here, Y represents either farm level Herfindahl Index (Diversity Index) or Adaptation Index. The results reveal that respondent farmers’ education, their farm size, area of possessions and contribution of agriculture in family income have positive impacts on a diversity of crops as well as adaptation by moderating the adverse climate impact or avoid climate related disaster. Education is highly dominant for obtaining better knowledge and expediting technology adoption capacity of farmers in a better way to the changing climate.