Background The arid and semi-arid lands experience inherently unpredictable rainfall and frequent droughts, which are exacerbated by climate change. This consequently leads to deterioration of land resources, and eventually forage and water shortages that negatively impact livestock productivity. In Kenya, development and government agencies have been supporting on-farm adaptation strategies such as water harvesting conservation structures to cope with climate hazards that affect agricultural production and food security in agro-pastoral and pastoral systems. The various water harvesting structures that have been promoted include Zai pits for growing crops and trees, water pans and shallow wells for livestock and domestic use, as well as for irrigation. However, the impact of such interventions with regard to improvement of range productivity and therefore welfare of agro-pastoral and pastoral communities has not been felt owing to low adoption rate by households. Results This study determined social, economic and institutional factors influencing the adoption of water harvesting technologies by households in pastoral areas of Tana river County of Kenya. The data was collected through household survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The results show that access to extension services and training, level of monthly income, main source of livelihood, land tenure, membership in social groups and availability of active farm labor significantly influenced the adoption of water harvesting structures. Conclusion Pastoralists therefore need to be mobilized and trained on how to construct and use water harvesting structures and sensitized on the potential socioeconomic benefits of adopting them.

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The objective of this paper has been to review the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of marginal (those cultivating less than one-hectare land) and small farmers (cultivating between 1 and 2 hectares land) and their coping and adaptation strategies enhancing their resilience to climate change. This paper reviewed literature including peer-reviewed papers, reports, and books related to climate change impacts on agriculture and livelihoods of marginal and small farmers in developing countries. The findings reveal that marginal and small farmers are vulnerable to climate change and variability, on account of their marginalized status, direct reliance on agriculture for their livelihoods, and inadequate resources and capacity to deal with adversities. The review found that climate change is negatively impacting livelihoods of marginal and small farmers by reducing crop and animal yields, crop failures, crop and animal diseases outbreak, livestock mortality, shortage of pasture and water for livestock all of which eventuates in reduced farm income, food insecurity and a downward spiral in social and economic indicators like health, education, and wellbeing. Although marginal and small farmers are using diverse coping and adaptation strategies some of which are climate-smart as well, they are constrained by several social, economic, and institutional factors which reveal the need for planned or policy-driven adaptation practices. The literature suggests mainstreaming adaptation into development planning and programs as the best option to help farmers in their adaptation practices and also to avoid working at cross-purposes but more judiciously use of resources.

The paper intends to explore the perceptions of the youth regarding the economic recovery of Jammu and Kashmir in India after the abrogation of Article 370, and to draw the policy implications for the speedier economic recovery of conflict-ridden regions. The study has been confined to the Jammu region and focused on four selected districts of the Jammu region viz Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch. A cluster sampling technique has been used to select respondents from the selected districts. The study has been restricted to the educated youth of selected districts as they represent the hope for the future and they can better interpret economic recovery. The primary data has been collected through a questionnaire survey of the youth of selected districts. A total of 120 educated youth (graduates, postgraduates, research degree holders belonging to different religious groups viz. Hindus and Muslims: 40 each, and Christians and Sikhs: 20 each) have been selected based on their approximate proportional representation in the total population. Data has been analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The paper reveals that economic recovery requires significant development of businesses and local economies. Young population is the heartbeat and energetic force for economic development. Therefore, their participation in economic recovery is vital to give right direction to the economy specifically since the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The developmental aspirations of the youth focused on agriculture reforms, investment in manufacturing, transportation, health, education, infrastructure, banking, and transparency in all development planning and implementation. Youth education and training and self-employment including the development of tourism, horticulture and handicrafts sectors were prioritized for economic recovery post-abrogation of Article 370. Addressing persistently high unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir has been ranked as one of the top priority areas for economic recovery. There is a need to rejuvenate the sick industrial units for creating sustained employment opportunities for youth. Tourism, handicrafts and horticulture sectors should be developed to reduce poverty, promote exports and generate employment for the youth through substantial funding from the Central government and private sector.