Impact of Climate Variability on Rice Production

Most of the farmers perceived the change in climate at present in terms of change in terms of change in rainfall pattern, duration, timing, intensity, onset of monsoon and change in summer and winter temperature in terms of hotness and coldness. There was significant change in farming system and usual farming practices. The sources of water sources were drying. The monsoon rain was decreasing and farm becomes drier year after year. Due to lack of timely rainfall and assured irrigation facilities, the productivity trend was declining at the rate of 0.027 tonha-1 in Dhading while in chitwan it was increasing at the rate of 0.039 tonha-1 and farmers get less benefit from farming activities. Trend analysis showed decreasing trend of maximum (-0.0490 CYear-1) and average temperature (-0.0230 CYear-1) with increasing minimum temperature (0.001oCYear-1) in Chitwan (Rampur) while in case of Dhading (Dhune Besi) the maximum temperature was increasing (0.0120 CYear-1) with decreasing average (-0.0120 CYear-1) and minimum temperature (-0.0360 CYear-1). Farmers were practicing different coping and adaptation strategies in their farm based upon their experience to tackle changing climate.