Climate Change and the Future of Himalayan Farming

Edited by Tor H. Aase

Explores the challenges faced by the Himalayan Farmers in rapidly changing weather conditions
Relates contemporary farming practices with projected future changes
Uses the lens of flexibility to discuss farming practices that are easily adaptable to an uncertain future

Climate Change and the Future of Himalayan Farming

Edited by Tor H. Aase

Description

Over the past three decades, climate change and other uncertainties have wreaked havoc on diverse livelihoods in the Himalayas. Farming communities cope with these changes based on their perceptions of changing climatic patterns. This volume seeks to understand the challenges faced by the Himalayan farmers and their agricultural institutions in constantly changing external production conditions. Given that agriculture is most sensitive to climate change, the aim of this volume is to relate contemporary farming practices with projected future changes. Climate change, the contributors to the volume argue, is not the sole factor that impacts agricultural practices. Climate is only one aspect of a wide array of factors that lead to multiple kinds of uncertainties among the farming communities. The authors of the volume use the lens of flexibility to debate and discuss farmers and farming systems that are most suited to adapt to a future burdened with uncertainty. This volume takes a long view of the year 2100 and projects a course of action that best prepares farmers and farming communities to future climate changes and generalized uncertainties.

Climate Change and the Future of Himalayan Farming

Edited by Tor H. Aase

List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface
Acknowledgment
Introduction: Adapting to Uncertainty - Tor H Aase, Nand Kishor Agrawal, and Sarah Nischalke
1. Two Kinds of Flexibility - Tor H Aase
2. Future Climate and Potential Impacts at the Study Sites - Bob van Oort
3. Compromised Potentials: Emerging Challenges for the Farmers of Salla, India - Suman Bisht and Nand Kishor Agrawal
4. Combining Land and Water in Upper Indus, Sai Valley, Gilgit, Pakistan - Sher Ahmed and Tor H Aase
5. Minor Crops and Major Opportunities in Dolakha, Nepal - Nina B Holmelin
6. From Grain to Grape: Bamei village in Yunnan, China - Wenling Wang
7. Organic Farmers on the Ridge: The Hyolmo of Sermathang, Nepal - Tor H Aase and Prem S Chapagain
8. Stranded between 'Good Floods' and 'Bad Floods': Lawpani Village, Assam, India - Sarah Nischalke and Suman Bisht
9. Current Adaptations and Future Prospects of Himalayan Farming - Tor H Aase, Nina B Holmelin, Bob van Oort, Nand Kishor Agrawal, Sarah Nischalke, Wenling Wang, Sher Ahmed, Prem Sagar Chapagain, and Suman Bisht
Notes on Editors and Contributors
Index

Climate Change and the Future of Himalayan Farming

Edited by Tor H. Aase

Author Information

Tor H Aase is Professor in Geography, University of Bergen, Norway. He is also affiliated senior researcher at Centre International for Climate and Environmental Research Oslo (CICERO).