A new report reveals that over half of the cotton farmers surveyed in Gujarat and Maharashtra have experienced significant or total crop loss due to floods and droughts in the last 5 years. The study, conducted by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) in collaboration with the All-India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI), underscores the severe impact of climate change on India's small-scale cotton farmers.
The survey covered 360 farmers from these two major cotton-producing states. About two-thirds of the respondents reported experiencing prolonged dry spells, rising average temperatures, and more days of extreme heat. These findings highlight the growing challenges posed by climate change to the agricultural sector, particularly cotton farming, in India, the world's second-largest cotton producer after China.
Laura Kelly, Director of IIED’s Shaping Sustainable Markets team, highlighted the detrimental effects of climate change on cotton farmers. She pointed out that while some government programs and insurance schemes exist to support farmers, they are either not well-known or inadequate. Kelly called for increased involvement from both government bodies and investors to provide better support.
Additionally, she urged large fashion companies, which rely on cotton from these small-scale farmers, to step up their efforts to assist their suppliers in coping with climate-related challenges. Strengthening support for farmers would not only protect their livelihoods but also enhance the resilience of global cotton supply chains.
Farmers are taking various measures to adapt to these climate shocks. Many are diversifying their crops, rotating them, or securing loans to invest in irrigation systems to mitigate future risks. Others have been forced to dip into savings, sell land or livestock, and even cut back on essential needs like food and healthcare.
Despite the availability of some government insurance schemes, the uptake remains uneven. About two-thirds of farmers reported having crop insurance, but only 8% had livestock insurance. One-third of respondents said they had no access to any government programs, which may be due to a lack of awareness.
The research, independently conducted by IIED and AIDMI, was funded by Primark, aiming to shed light on the challenges faced by cotton farmers and the urgent need for coordinated action to support them.
(Source: IIED)
