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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 12, No. 4

Publication Date: August 25, 2024

DOI:10.14738/aivp.124.17185

Hasani, M., & Shrestha, R. P. (2024). Assessing Farmers' Perception on Climate Change and its Consequences: A Case Study in

the Baba Mountain Valleys of Bamyan, Afghanistan. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(4). 503-521.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Assessing Farmers' Perception on Climate Change and its

Consequences: A Case Study in the Baba Mountain Valleys of

Bamyan, Afghanistan

Mustafa Hasani

Natural Resources Management Department,

Environment Faculty, Kabul University, 1006, Kabul, Afghanistan

Rajendra P. Shrestha

ORCID: 0000-0002-1010-1994

Department of Development and Sustainability,

School of Environment, Resources and Development,

Asian Institute of Technology, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand

ABSTRACT

Climate change poses significant challenges in the vulnerable regions like

Afghanistan, where agriculture is main source of peoples’ livelihoods. This study

examines the farmers’ perspectives and their experiential insights into changing

climate indicators and its impacts on agriculture. Through a combination of

quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, including household surveys,

focus group discussions, historical timeline calendars, crop calendars, and key

informant interviews, the study identifies changes in climate indicators as

perceived by farmers. The study’s findings highlight a range of changes in climate

indicators. The farmers have experienced decreasing snowfall in winter and

annual rainfall in spring and summer, consequently the intense frequent drought

and water shortages for agriculture and rangelands in the upper and lower part of

the valleys. The temperatures in winter and summer have increased and led to

earlier snow melting, earlier blooming, flowering, and greening of the plants. Both

positive and negative impacts, brought by the shift in climate indicators, have

presented new cultivation opportunities but also led to droughts, water shortages

and reduced productivity. These findings can be valuable inputs for effective

ecosystem and community-based adaptation strategies at local level, guiding for a

resilient planning and policies for addressing current and future climate impacts

on agriculture.

Keywords: climate change, perception, impacts, temperature, precipitation, agricultural

community, Bamyan, Afghanistan.

INTRODUCTION

Climate change adversely affects coupled ecosystems and human systems including water

security, food security, infrastructure, health, and well-being. In the near term (2021-2040),

1.5°C global warming increases climate hazards, posing risks. In the mid to long-term (2041-

2100), risks intensify, surpassing current observations for numerous identified key risks

(IPCC, 2022). Climate change vulnerability varies across regions and Asia will face adverse

impacts to agricultural and food security in many parts. The potential of total fisheries