Drought and farmers’ coping strategies in poverty-afflicted rural China
2004
S. Ding | S. Pandey | C. Chen | H. Bhandari
This paper explores the nature of drought risks in southern China through estimating the cost of drought and gaining some insight into farmers’ coping strategies. It also suggests alternative options for policy interventions.Some key findings from this study include:although drought can occur at different seasons, rice farmers have suffered heavily by the summer and autumn drought (between July and September)the effect of drought at household level is widespread and can be substantial as illustrated through production losses in rice yield, wheat, cotton, maize and beans.rice farmers cope with drought using a range of strategies that include:spatial diversificationincome diversificationcultivation flexibilitiesadjusting agricultural output by reducing chemical useadjusting consumption patterns within the householdthe local community may have their own mechanisms, which include land allocation and reallocation within the village, managing local water bodies to better cope with drought, and providing forecasting of timing of rice pests and fertilizing through local radio, television, and newspaper, which helps farmers to cope with adverse events, such as drought.[adapted from author]
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