Vulnerability of agricultural households to climate change in hill state of north Western Himalaya

Abstract

In the present study, vulnerability level of individual farming households to climate change is examined in Himachal Pradesh, North-western state of India. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to develop vulnerability index for individual household. Mean household vulnerability index in the study area was 0.27. The farming households from Kullu district were the most vulnerable (5.94) while those from Hamirpur district were least vulnerable (-3.37). The study successfully identified the regional sources of vulnerability and prioritises the districts for adaptation planning. Implication of the study results lays with the policy makers in formulating region specific and targeted climate adaptation policies that foster asset building so as to reduce vulnerability and build long-term resilience to climate change.