Farmers' perceived knowledge and practices on climate change adoptation: a study of panchkhal municipality -3 Kavrepalanchok, Nepal

Abstract

Climate change poses significant threats to Nepal‘s agricultural sector, particularly in vulnerable regions like Panchkhal Municipality. Despite minimal contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions, Nepal faces severe climate impacts, necessitating robust adaptation strategies. This study assesses farmers' knowledge, practices, and challenges in adapting to climate change in Panchkhal Municipality-3, Kavrepalanchok, focusing on their vulnerability and the effectiveness of adaptation. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining household surveys and semi-structured interviews with 108 farmers selected through stratified random sampling. Primary data was collected via structured questionnaires, while secondary data was sourced from government reports, academic journals, and climate policy documents. The study is grounded in Agriculture Transformation Theory, Integrated Farming Systems, and the Cultural Theory of Risk theories which collectively analyze technological, ecological, and socio-institutional dimensions of adaptation. Key findings reveal that farmers predominantly rely on digital platforms (42.6%) and traditional media (38%) for climate information. Major challenges include soil fertility loss (36.1%), erratic rainfall (21.3%), and high input costs (93.5%). While 75.9 percent of farmers reported experiencing extreme weather, adaptation practices remain limited, with only 29.6 percent adopting crop diversification and 21.3 percent dependent on chemical inputs. Institutional support is heavily state-centric, with 86.1 percent of farmers relying on govt. programs, yet coordination and resource allocation remain weak. The study concludes that despite awareness of climate risks, farmers' adaptive capacity is constrained by financial barriers, insufficient technical training, and fragmented governance. Recommendations include implementing climate-smart agriculture policies, enhancing localized weather forecasting, and strengthening public-private partnerships to promote resilient farming practices. Local governments should prioritize irrigation infrastructure and community-based adaptation committees, while I/NGOs and cooperatives can facilitate knowledge-sharing and gender-inclusive programs. These measures are critical to reducing vulnerability and ensuring sustainable agricultural livelihoods.