Indigenous knowledge about climate change: Validating the perceptions of dryland farmers in Tamil Nadu

Climate change is expected to adversely affect agricultural production in India. This study was undertaken to understand the dryland farmers' perceptions about climate change, its impacts and indigenous adaptation measures they pursue. From the analysis of data collected from 200 dryland farmers of Villupuram and Virudhunagar districts in Tamil Nadu, it was found that 81 % of farmers experienced climate change in terms of decreasing and unpredictable rainfall, increasing temperature and delayed onset of monsoon. Analysis of climate trend validated their perceptions. Farmers are convinced that climate change has affected their farming through frequent crop failures, declining crop and livestock yield, reduced water level in tanks and wells and new pest and diseases. Amidst various constraints, farmers strive to adapt to climate change by manipulating sowing date, reducing fertilizer application, selecting alternate crops and drought tolerant varieties, etc. Elderly farmers adapt more to climate change while access to irrigation gives leverage to try alternate farming practices.