Impact of Climate Change on the Agricultural Productivity: A Case Study in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Introduction: Agricultural systems worldwide are facing increasing challenges from climate change along with localized effects from changes in temperature, rainfall patterns and increases in extreme weather affecting crop productivity and livelihoods of farmers.

Objectives: The study has tried to explore the adverse impact of climate change on agricultural production in the Cooch Behar region of West Bengal and the response of local farmers to recent challenges.

Research Methodology: The study has tried to show how climate change affects agricultural output in Cooch Behar district, West Bengal through quantitative and qualitative data acquisition methods based on a micro-level case study approach. The study’s area of interest includes in the Terai and the Eastern Himalaya agro-climatic region of Cooch Behar of West Bengal. Due to its high dependence upon agriculture, with many farmers being small and marginal producers using rain-fed agriculture practices, Cooch Behar is particularly vulnerable to variations in rainfall quantity and quality; flooding; and temperature extremes.

Results and Discussion: Adverse impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity and its mitigation especially in Cooch Behar district are sought.

Suggestions: Use & expand agricultural techniques that are climate resilient, water resource management improvement, supporting climate-smart agriculture, i.e., crop diversification and resilient varieties are suggested.

Conclusion: In West Bengal, Cooch Behar's agriculture is facing challenges from climate change; these include altered rainfall patterns, increased variation in temperatures, extreme weather events, and unstable yield. The area's farmers have identified increasing temperatures and changing rainfall as ongoing problems with regards to how they plant, grow, and harvest their crops, impacting food security and their livelihoods