RESUMEN
The adoption of scientific fish farming faces multiple constraints encompassing economic, infrastructural, technological, marketing, societal, and extension-related challenges. Economically, the substantial upfront investment required for infrastructure and operational costs deters potential fish farmers, especially small-scale operators. Inadequate access to financing further exacerbates this issue. Insufficient infrastructure, including poor transportation networks and processing facilities, hampers the efficient distribution and marketing of fish products. Limited access to scientific farming technology and disease management techniques hinders the adoption of advanced practices, while price fluctuations and a lack of organised markets pose marketing-related challenges. Cultural norms and societal dynamics can influence fish farming practices, sometimes hindering the adoption of sustainable farming. To overcome these constraints, collaborative efforts among the government departments, institutes, banks, NGOs etc. are essential. Strategies include providing financial support mechanisms, infrastructure development, dissemination of latest technical known how and training, establishing market chain, and respecting local social norms. Addressing these issues collectively could unlock the full potential of fish farming, promoting food security, livelihood enhancement and sustainable development.
RESUMEN
The phenomenon of climate change presents a substantial obstacle to the attainment of food self-sufficiency and the overall welfare of rural communities. Climate change has significantly impacted the agricultural sector in India, with the majority of the population being more susceptible due to their direct or indirect reliance on the sector. The process of adapting to climate change is multifaceted and involves various factors, including economic, cultural, institutional, and biophysical aspects. Long-term climate change could threaten marginalised groups' livelihoods, thus proactive planning is needed. Strategic research that raises awareness and encourages adaptation helps Indian agriculture withstand climatic variability and climate change. This study evaluates farmers' knowledge and willingness to adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices in farming activities. The investigation involved 120 farmers from Hisar and Fatehabad districts, randomly selected two villages from each district viz., Sharwa and Chirod, and Gorakhpur and Jandlikalan, to gather data. The study found that farmers have a high level of awareness about climate-resilient crop production practices, with high adoption rates for crop insurance, field sanitation, irrigation scheduling, and seed treatment. However, there are areas where awareness is lacking, such as post-harvest losses, natural resource conservation, cultivation methods, tolerant crop varieties, and credit facilities. To improve awareness, farmers need to promote and enhance less widely accepted practices, such as credit facilities, natural resource conservation schemes, and cultivation methods. The study thus highlights some challenges include lack of knowledge about climate change, labor scarcity, limited resources, inadequate training, and poor institutional financial support.