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PERCEPTION OF FARMERS ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN CHEVELLA BLOCK, RANGAREDDY DISTRICT, TELANGANA

Climate change is the burning issue of the world. Agriculture is most vulnerable to climate change. Perception of farmers is opinion of the farmers how they understand and interpret climate change. Though the Farmers’ were aware about climate change, their perception totally varies from others. And farmers play major role in agriculture and it is necessary to know their perceptions. Hence, the present study was conducted in 20192020 to find out the perception of farmers on climate change in Chevella block of Rangareddy district, Telangana. Total 120 respondents from 6 villages were selected randomly. The perception results revealed that farmers’ had medium level of perception and majority of farmers perceived climate change as the result of disobedience to God among all the other factors. KeywordsClimate change, Perception of farmers, Disobedience to God


INTRODUCTION
Climate change is perhaps one of the most serious environmental issues that today's world population facing, though the issue is not new. Ever since the issue has emerged in the early nineteenth century, upto late twentieth century the issue was a topic discussed exclusively within the scientific society. Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperature, precipitation, wind patterns and other measures of climate that occur over several decades or longer [1] . Climate change is a reality, and it has already started assuming an ugly look which warrants immediate attention by the rank and file of the country [2] . The seas are rising, the foods we eat and take for granted are threatened. Ocean acidification is increasing. Ecosystems are changing and for some, that could spell the end of certain regions the way we have known them. And while some are adapting, for others, it's not that easy. Scientists have warned that India is one of the more vulnerable and risk prone nations in the world, not immune to the impact of climate change [3] .
Climate change and agriculture are interrelated process.Among various factors that are being affected by climate change, agriculture is the prominent one. Globally, climate change is the most serious environmental threat that adversely affects agricultural productivity. There are many developing nations where agriculture is the main occupation for most of the population. The IPCC third assessment report 2001 concluded that, the poorest countries would be hardest hit with reductions in crop yields in most tropical and sub-tropical regions due to decreased water availability and new or changed insect pest incidence. When agriculture is being affected due to climate change, Farmers' are obviously affected as they depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Climate change is destroying the lives of the farmers so it is necessary for them to have complete knowledge about it.
Perception is the way in which something is regarded, understood or interpreted. Perception of humans varies from person to person. Not all interpret the same way. Perception refers to the opinion of farmers. Farmers' perception about climate change, therefore, strongly effects how they deal with climate induced risks and uncertainties and undertake specific measures by coping strategies to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change on agriculture [4] .Though farmers' are observing and perceiving the changes in the climate they particularly have no idea about what is it that is leading to climate change or why is the climate being deteriorating or why is it affecting everything that exists on the earth. And the perception of the farmers is very different from the current scenario of the climate change.

METHODOLOGY
The present study was conducted in Chevella block of Rangareddy District of Telangana and has been purposively selected in 2019-20. As it is closely located to the urban areas. Six villages namely chevella, palgutta, Rammanaguda, Kesaram, Damaragidha, Aloor were randomly selected. A well-structured interview schedule with relevant questions was prepared and pretested for the study. The sample population of 120 respondents was selected through random sampling method from the 6 villages. Relevant questions about climate change were asked through personal interview method and the responses were recorded.
Statistical method is the scientific method of judging collective natural or social phenomena from the results obtained by the analysis of enumerated or collected estimates. Responses were recorded on 5-point continuum scale viz. strongly agree, agree, undecided, disagree, strongly disagree by assigning scores 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1, respectively. Further the overall perception of farmers on climate change was determined and the respondents were categorized as low (21-29score), medium (29-36score), and high (37-41 score).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Perception of farmers' on climate change.

CONCLUSION
Findings of present study revealed that farmers' perception level on climate change is medium level and their perception on cause or reason of what is it that's causing climate change, majority of them responded that their disobedience to God was the main reason. That their God was punishing them for their sins. The study highlighted that, though farmers' were noticing the changes in their surroundings about climate change, they had their own beliefs and perceived in their own convenient way.