Impacts of Climate Change on Farmers and their Adaptive Strategies along the Essequibo Coast, Guyana
Climate change is impacting people and their environment at an ever-growing rate. Underdeveloped countries like Guyana, which are heavily dependent on agriculture for sustenance are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change compared to developed countries. Globally, climate change negatively impacts agriculture with serious implications for livelihoods. For this study, 114 semistructured interviews were conducted in 18 villages on the Essequibo Coast, Guyana, where agriculture is the major economic activity. Climate data (temperature and rainfall) were obtained for the past three decades from the Hydrometerological Office, Guyana. We found that temperature has been increasing over the last three decades. Rainfall patterns were observed to be fluctuating with a general increase over time. A majority of the farmers experienced the effects of climate change but they were also unaware as to why these were occurring. Most farmers were affected by floods, which is becoming much more prevalent as a result of climate change. This resulted in major crop losses and had high financial impacts on farmers. Farmers have been using various methods to adapt to the changes. In the past, farmers used leaves and bushes to get rid of pests and diseases. Presently, farmers were using more chemicals and fertilizers. It is recommended that emphasis be placed on awareness to better equip farmers to cope with climate change challenges. This study complemented similar studies from different regions of Guyana and globally to offer resources to farmers and policy-makers on strategies for climate change impact and mitigation in farming.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Texto biblioteca |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications
2020
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| Subjects: | CLIMATE CHANGE, CAMBIO CLIMATICO, IMPACTS, FARMERS, ADAPTATION, |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.10.02.2020.p9861 |
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| Summary: | Climate change is impacting people and their environment at an ever-growing rate. Underdeveloped countries like Guyana, which are heavily dependent on agriculture for sustenance are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change compared to developed countries. Globally, climate change negatively impacts agriculture with serious implications for livelihoods. For this study, 114 semistructured interviews were conducted in 18 villages on the Essequibo Coast, Guyana, where agriculture is the major economic activity.
Climate data (temperature and rainfall) were obtained for the past three decades from the Hydrometerological Office, Guyana. We found that temperature has been increasing over the last three decades. Rainfall patterns were observed to be fluctuating with a general increase over time. A majority of the farmers experienced the effects of climate change but they were also unaware as to why these were occurring. Most farmers were affected by floods, which is becoming much more prevalent as a result of climate change. This resulted in major crop losses and had high financial impacts on farmers. Farmers have been using various methods to adapt to the changes. In the past, farmers used leaves and bushes to get rid of pests and diseases. Presently, farmers were using more chemicals and fertilizers.
It is recommended that emphasis be placed on awareness to better equip farmers to cope with climate change challenges. This study complemented similar studies from different regions of Guyana and globally to offer resources to farmers and policy-makers on strategies for climate change impact and mitigation in farming. |
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