Effects of climate change on dairy farming in mountain economy: Micro-level perspectives from the milk producers of Sikkim
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n11.011Keywords:
Mountain economies, landslides, dairy farming, climate change, natural phenomenaAbstract
India has a long history of dairy farming. Agriculture and animal husbandry are inextricably linked in India, where the majority of the population lives in rural areas. Animals rely on crops for food and shelter, while farmers benefit from livestock through manure, draught power, and milk. The production of milk has developed from a rural pastime into a modern industrial enterprise. The tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim is no exception. The majority of the population relies on dairy farming despite the difficult topography. It helps raise both food quality and income levels for families. The impacts of global warming on mountain dairy farms are the focus of this research. Random Sample method has been applied to collect 360 samples from selected villages in Sikkim, the findings have been evaluated with a 3-point scale method to list the major constraints/effects impacting the climate change in mountain region. The untimely rainfall and change in spring shed water flows was ranked as first among the various other factors. It is quite an evident impact which has been experienced lately by local farmers and public in general. However, cyclone was seen to have the least impact of climate change in dairy farming in mountain region, it was ranked last in the study. Numerous factors threaten the livelihood of mountain communities who rely on dairy production. To lessen these effects, dairy farms in the mountains will need to adopt new practices and greener methods. Primary data both qualitative and quantitative were utilized. The findings are presented with supporting tables and figures. A review of related articles was conducted to gain a deeper familiarity with the issue.
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