Vulnerability of Farming Communities Practicing Livestock Monocultures or Crop-Livestock Integrated Systems to Climate Change: A Case Study in Ampara District
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Date
2020
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Livestock either as monocultures or as crop-livestock integrated systems is an integral
part of the socio-economic fabric and physical landscape of Ampara District, where the
population remains largely rural. This study used Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI)
and Intergovernmental Penal on Climate Change Vulnerability Index (VI–IPCC) to assess
and compare the vulnerability of two types of livestock farming systems. A household
survey among 200 farm families practicing livestock alone and as a component of croplivestock integrated systems was carried out in four divisional secretariats (Nintavur,
Sammanthura, Irakamam, and Ampara) in Ampara District. Eight major components were
considered under LVI assessment: Socio-Demographics, Livelihood Strategies, Social
Network, Health, Food, Water, Natural Disasters, and Climate Variability. Each major
component made up of several sub-component variables that were averaged to calculate
the weighted value of major components for each division. Assessment based on the
IPCC framework considered exposure, adaptive capacity, and sensitivity. Goat farmers
showed a higher vulnerability score for livelihood strategies (0.620) major component.
Poultry farmers reported a higher vulnerability score for water (0.083) major component.
Buffalo farmers gave a higher vulnerability score for social networks (0.576). Integrated
farmers recorded a higher vulnerability score for socio-demographics (0.255), health
(0.418), food (0.451) and natural disasters (0.559) major components. For the VI–IPCC,
Goat farmers reported a higher adaptive capacity score (0.597). Integrated farmers have a
higher exposure score (0.460) and a sensitivity score (0.291). Irakamam division and
Poultry farmers were identified as the most vulnerable, while Ampara division and goat
farmers were the least vulnerable. Compared to crop-livestock integrated systems,
livestock alone systems are concluded to be more vulnerable to climate change.
Keywords: Climate change, Livestock farming systems, Vulnerability, Vulnerability
index
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Keywords
Agriculture, Agriculture Economic, Water Management System