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Economic Cost of Drought and Farmers’ Coping Mechanisms : A Study of Rainfed Rice Systems in Eastern India

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Publication date
14/06/2007
Number of Pages
7
Language:
English
Type of Publication:
Working Papers & Briefs
Focus Region:
Asia and the Pacific
Focus Topic:
Climate / Weather / Environment
Market / Trade
Type of Risk:
Market-related
Weather & Climate related
Type of Risk Managment Option:
Risk coping
Risk assessment
Commodity:
Crops
Author
Sushil Pandey
Organization
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

The main objective of this paper is to document and assess risk- coping mechanisms of farmers in drought-prone areas of Asia. Farmers have, over time, developed a range of strategies to deal with a production shortfall and its impact on welfare. The visible symptoms of drought such as widespread hunger, destitution, and death surface when such strategies are inadequate to deal with the magnitude of the problem. It is essential to develop an in-depth understanding of farmers’ coping strategies so that technological and institutional interventions that complement such strategies can be developed.

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