FAO Report on Climate Impact
The FAO report highlights that poor households lose an average of 5% of their total income due to heat stress and 4.4% from floods.
The report focuses on the negative impacts of climate change on rural populations, particularly in India.
Poor households face significant income reduction compared to better-off families when exposed to climate stressors
Structural inequalities contribute to the vulnerability of these households.
Impact on Indian Farmers
Indian farmers in poor households struggle more during climate stress events, dedicating extra time and resources to agriculture.
Off-farm employment opportunities decrease, leading to increased reliance on farming for sustenance.
The overall income of affected families drops compared to those not facing climate stress.
Way Forward
The report suggests expanding the social security net to support vulnerable households.
It recommends scaling up anticipatory social protection programs to prepare for extreme weather events.
Providing livelihood support before disasters can reduce poverty and reliance on harmful coping strategies.
There’s a call to improve workforce diversification and create more off-farm employment opportunities.
Policymakers should address gender barriers in accessing non-farm employment.
NITI Aayog notes India's proactive measures, such as the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) and a contingency plan for agriculture.
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