MITIGATING ROLE OF EXTENSION AGENCIES IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT

Agriculture is one of the sectors that directly depends on climate conditions like rainfall and temperature, and thus adversely affected by climate change. The impacts of climate change are global, but countries like India are more vulnerable due to high population depending on agriculture. The role of extension agencies in mitigating the impact of climate change is significant. This study focused on the prevention activities, preparedness activities, response activities and recovery activities taken by the various extension agencies in mitigating the impact of the climate change. The data were collected from the farmers and the extension agencies. The result of the study revealed that the extension agencies involved in creating awareness on plant pests and diseases (1.600) followed by crop insurance (1.533) as prevention activities of climate change. Under preparedness activity, the extension agencies involved review and update of precautionary measures (1.733) and especially ascertain that adequate stock of seeds and other agro inputs are available in areas prone to natural calamities. During the disaster time the extension agencies actively involved in rapid assessment of the extent of damage (1.900) and report the assessment results for ensuring early supply of seeds and other agro inputs (1.900). Supply of agro inputs (2.000) to the affected area was the foremost activity taken by extension functionaries at the time of recovery phase.