Role of Agricultural Diversification in Improving Resilience to Climate Change: An Empirical Analysis with Gaussian Paradigm

Abstract

Agricultural diversification efforts towards sustainable agriculture generates environmental and economic benefits. Climate change and agricultural production are characterized by a complex cause-effect relationship. In the present study, the primary dataset is collected through an interview-based survey from 410 farmers in 3 districts located in different agro-ecological zones of Punjab, Pakistan. Detailed analysis is conducted by employing the Gaussian treatment effects approach. Results of the study show that the farmers who adopted agricultural diversification to mitigate the impact of climate change were less and insignificantly benefited e.g., on an average of RS 95,260 (US $635) per annum whereas non-adopted farmers lost their farm income on an average of RS 115,750 (US $772) per annum if they had practiced the agricultural diversification. Moreover, determinants of agricultural diversification such as demographic and institutional indicators were significant and larger effects to adopt as compared to social indicators. This study suggests that policies should be designed in the regional context particularly related to the improvement in demographic characteristics and institutional factors such as providing subsidies, training, and awareness to the farmers, particularly to those who practice agricultural diversification. These measures will help to raise the farmers’ adaptive capacity for the adoption of agricultural diversification, and it will enable them to generate tangible benefits by increasing income through adopting sustainable agricultural livelihood.

Analysis of the Effect of Cooperatives on Increasing Farmers’ Income from the Perspective of Industry Prosperity Based on the PSM Empirical Study in Shennongjia Region

“…Rural areas are extensive and the population is large [1]. How to improve its ability to increase income, improve the diversification of sustainable livelihoods and realize the improvement of the sustainability of farmers' own development capacity is important for social stability and sustainable rural construction [2].…”

Achieving a Climate-Change Resilient Farming System through Push–Pull Technology: Evidence from Maize Farming Systems in Ethiopia

“…As such, agroforestry, fishing, and beekeeping were not common agricultural undertakings in the area. Studies, e.g., [33,43], have indicated that a more diverse farming system is more resilient against climate change and environmental shocks. Therefore, it is reasonable to argue that PPT farming systems enhance the climate resilience of smallholder farmers by enabling them to diversify their agricultural activities.…”

“…Studies that compared resilience across groups of participants such as farming systems, communities, and institutions often rely on a cross-sectional household survey e.g., [31,32]. Due to methodological uncertainties in measuring resilience, the survey should be complemented by participatory approaches such as focus group discussions, which help to capture qualitative insights [32][33][34]. On the other hand, studies that focused on analyzing changes in resilience over time have used panel data, e.g., [35,36].…”

Convergence of Environmental and Economic law in the Sphere of Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management in Ukraine

“…In this context, the transition to the production of environmentally friendly products is considered optimal. Research by Kiani et al (2021) in 3 areas located in different agri-environmental zones of Punjab (Pakistan) show that the losses of farmers who have adopted agricultural diversification to mitigate the effects of climate change have been lower. An average of $635 per year was lost by those who adopted diversification, while the farmers who did not adopt had lost their farm income by an average of $772 (Kiani et al, 2021).…”