Measuring the Climate Resilience of Smallholder Farmers in Lori Province

Abstract

Armenia’s main risks from climate change are increasing temperatures and variability in precipitation. The agricultural sector will be heavily impacted by these climate risks. Climate projections estimate the agricultural sector will experience changes in the growing season, exacerbated soil degradation and erosion due to extreme and unpredictable weather, unfavorable growing conditions, increased water demand, and reduction in yields. Rural farmers, women in particular, lack access to technology, training, and financial opportunities, making them the most vulnerable demographic to the climate crisis and the least prepared to adapt. This research study aimed to 1) develop a tool by which climate resilience of smallholder Armenian farmers in Lori Province can be measured, 2) use the tool to measure climate resilience of smallholder farmers throughout Lori, and 3) use the findings to provide farmers with climate-smart recommendations to increase climate resilience via increased soil health, food security, financial stability, and livelihoods. Recent research reveals that smallholder farmers in Armenia’s Lori Province are largely unprepared to cope with the escalating impacts of the climate crisis. Despite their vulnerability, rural women farmers demonstrate a relatively higher level of climate resilience and show greater openness to adopting innovative and adaptive agricultural practices. The study determined the easiest, most cost-effective solutions to increase climate resilience among smallholder farmers were through the following: encouraging reduced tillage practices, introducing cover crops, access to training and knowledge particularly around soil health, access to financial opportunities, higher quality seeds, implementation of water management practices, and increased access to markets.