Assessing the Impacts of Climate and Economic Changes on Indian Agriculture A Case Study of Groundnut Farmers in Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh

Background

Double Exposure in Anantapur Trade liberalisation of oilseeds and edible oils in

1994-95

Drought since 1999-2000

Vulnerability to Globalisation

ANANTAPUR

Vulnerability to Climate Change

ANANTAPUR

Map of India

Delhi

Hyderabad

Anantapur

Bangalore

Map of Anantapur district

Ipperu village

Kadiri

Research Strategy

Asian Social Forum, Hyderabad Key informant interviews in Hyderabad

and Anantapur Collected statistics from government

offices Group interviews with farmers, 2

villages Kadiri Household interviews in Ipperu village,

outside Anantapur

Research Strategy

Asian Social Forum

Farmer Suicides

Agriculture in Anantapur

Groundnut is the major crop Rainfed agriculture Small and medium farmers;

landless labourers

Agriculture in Anantapur

1970s: shift from subsistence crops to groundnut

1980s: Operation yellow – drive for self sufficiency in edible oil

1994: Trade liberalization of oilseeds/edible oils

Pre- 1970s: Subsistence Farming

Diversity of crops (bajra, jowar, ragi, etc)

Grain stocks Livestock Common lands Family Labour

Irrigated Jowar and Groundnut

Changing Conditions from 1970s

Investments in infrastructure Demand for oilseeds from new local

oilmills Subsidised food through PDS Reduced family labour supply

Shift to lucrative monocrop groundnut

Effects

Expanding area under groundnutDeterioration and privatization of

common landsLess fodderFewer livestock

Pest problems

Vulnerability

To climate variability

To trade liberalization