Enhancement of Sugarcane Production by Counteracting the Adverse Effects
of Climate Change in Sindh Province, Pakistan
Abstract
In Pakistan sugarcane is an important cash crop, a source of income and
employment for the farming community. The environmental degradation
results in the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather
events has significant consequences for sugarcane production in the
world, especially in the developing countries like Pakistan, because of
relatively low adaptive capacity, high vulnerability to natural hazards,
and weak forecasting systems and mitigating strategies. This paper is an
attempt to analyze the impact of environmental change on sugarcane
production in Sindh province of Pakistan. Qualitative and quantitative
data approach were adopted for the analysis and the data is collected
through exploratory design, case study, and survey design. The sample
consists of sugarcane growers, i.e., landowner farmers, ex-farmers, and
employed farmers. The results based on multiple regression model
indicated that only three factors (rainfall, soil conditions, and
irrigation) have significant effect on the production of sugarcane. Some
suggestions and implications are mentioned based on empirical findings.