For last seven years, my work has been focused on assessing vulnerability of community to climate change and enhancing their adaptive capacity through community based adaptation and policy efforts in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. It includes assessment of vulnerability of food system and improving policy responses for enhancing adaptive capacity of food system of Indogangetic plain with the support of Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research-Japan (APN), Nepal Water Conservation Foundation, Nepal (NWCF) and Global Environmental Change and Food System-UK (GECAFS). This project was implemented in five sites of four South Asian Countries.
In India, Ludhiana and Bihar were research sites. I have written several reports and papers and out of these, one is lying on the GECAFS’s website. The below given facts are based on research carried out in Vaishali district (Site - 4) of North Bihar (data collected uptill 2008).
During the characterization of food system and assessing its vulnerability to climate change induced water stresses, it was found that water stresses (mainly food and drought) have been playing major role in determining the adaptive capacity of food system. In last 33 years, the trend of rainfall and air temperature has changed. In result, the natural disasters (flood and drought) have become uncertain and devastating. This has made the farmers uncertain and unable to adapt with changing climate. The geographical situation and topography are additional determining factors unfavouring food system. The increasing period of waterlogging is disrupting agriculture and livestock rearing and reducing agricultural land by converting it into wasteland. The cycle of these disasters and resulted poverty, hunger and poor adaptive capacity (infrastructure, government support etc) have made the socio-economic status of community very pathetic. In turn, high migration rate exists as key coping mechanism; however, its major part is utilized in settling the loan taken by the family in the absence of migrants. Per capita income, in comparison of state and national average, is very poor. Thus, poor situation is prevailing in Bihar.
The nutritional security, key determinant of food security outcomes, is highly dependent on regular adequate intake of diversified foods throughout the year. There are many factors; those determine the availability of diversified food. These factors are quantity of food production, control over food production, purchasing power, hike in market food price, land area, agricultural investment and others. In the research area, due to water stresses, both Kharif and Rabi crops are adversely affected almost every year. The loss of major crops ranges from 40-65 percentages. In flood year 2008, percentage of crop loss is very much increased. In the area, because of low agricultural investment due to apprehension of risk of loss of water stresses and low investment capacity, there is low crop diversification. Small land holding prohibits crops diversification, likes, green vegetables, pulses etc. The animals’ by-products, likes, milk is sold for income purposes. Due to lack of adequate control over crop production because of many factors, the major part of produced food is sold to meet the household demands. In turn, the community is compelled to consume inadequate and less diversified food round the year. The intake of food is comparatively better during initial two-three months after crop harvesting. The social security programmes could not play their expected role due to well-known reasons. Conclusively, the large population is involved round the year in the food management for their survival. However, during rainy season, community of lowest income consumes flora and fauna, which are sources of protein.
Their food is unsafe because of use of ground water contaminated from arsenic and fluorides- in cooking food. Also, during the flood situation, because of poor storage system, their food is contaminated from flood water. In severe flood situation, due to lack of edible food, they are compelled to consume water-affected food. In area, 80 percentage of the population is malnourished and is victim of nutritional insecurity. They suffer from water born diseases.
I have also analyzed the policy aspects of climate change adaptation in Bihar. I am continuously working on this direction and looking for support to use research findings to influence policy-making process. I am of opinion that improvement of food security is dependent on community, regional, national and international level initiatives. At, initial three levels, development of all sectors is very important. In this context, Bihar has taken good initiatives. It is first Indian states, which has roadmaps for developing its major sectors including governance system. The appropriate and prompt implementation of these roadmaps and other supportive programmes, likes, NREGA, ICDS, Disaster Management etc can certainly improve food security of the Bihar. The increase of agricultural growth and reduce of migration are good examples.
In the community, sustainable agriculture with integrated approach, organic low input farming practices, agro-based income generation activities, promotion of improved livestock breed and water management practices can improve food security. It is not possible without proper investment, infrastructure & market development, ease and soft loan, innovate techniques, compilation and promotion of traditional teachings and system and R&D etc. The capacity building of community on climate change and adaptation issues is an essential aspect should be an ongoing process.
The engagement of citizen and local governance system in climate change adaptation policy process will play critical role. It should be integral part of all policy processes. Bihar has also started this process. For example, in Nov, 2009 on Draft State Water Policy, current Bihar government had involved farmers, NGOs, media, activists etc and obtained valuable feedbacks. It is now going to incorporate these inputs into its polices (latest news).
Gyaneshwar Singh
Senior Researcher
(Agency For Multidimensional Research, Implementation, Training & Advocacy)
Note: It was published on Solution Exchange,run by UNDP, New Delhi, India
(ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/food/cr/cr-se-food-clmt-13011001-public.pdf)
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