Sustainable Livelihoods and Adaptation to Climate Change

India has 25.7% of its rural population living in poverty and 64% of its rural population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. The socio-economic situation of marginalized groups (such as the poor, women, the landless), characterized by poor access to education, information, productive resources, financial services, human and social capital as well as fewer assets and high debt, greatly enhances the vulnerability of their livelihoods to climate related shocks and stresses. All this is adding up to the growing concern that climate change could slow the progress in poverty reduction. The percentage of population employed in agriculture production system in Bihar is estimated to be 81%, with 90% population living in rural areas, 42% of state population is below poverty line as against the national average of 26%. With 83% of landholding belonging to marginal farmers (0-1 ha), low output and high operating expense forms the backdrop of vulnerability of farmers in Bihar. In 2013, India Meteorological Department (IMD) published a comprehensive monograph on ‘State Level Climate Change Trends in India’ which is based on long term climatic data (1951-2010) collected from 280 stations for temperature and 1451 stations for rainfall across India. As per the monograph annual mean temperature in Bihar is showing a rise of 0.01-degree Celsius resulting in increase in pest attack, thunderstorm and lightning. The monthly variation in rainfall distribution, shown in the report, is set to have direct impact on crop sowing and harvesting activities.