**4.3 Research and innovation**

Research and innovation can play a key role in promoting adaptation. Research and innovative techniques are already in place for agriculture adaptation in the province, where experiments have been conducted to find the best varieties of seed that can survive extreme weathers. The government is providing the best varieties of seeds which can survive in hot seasons and produce good results. For instance, the Punjab Seed Corporation is established to provide quality seeds to the farmers according to the conditions of climatic zones in various parts of the province. The subnational government is focusing on research and innovative strategies to address the impacts of climate change. At the institutional level, they are giving training to government officials so that they can comprehend the situation more amicably and address the situation scientifically.

#### **4.4 Institutional capacity and role of academics**

Institutional capacity is important for the implementation of any policy, programs or plans. They arrange proper training for the people working in the area of climate change in order to understand the actual scenario, especially the impact assessment of climate change on the agriculture sector in the province. For example, over 150 individuals working in relevant departments in the province are trained in national and international institutions. Many others are encouraged to go abroad and conduct research in area of climate and agriculture sector. It is very likely that well trained staff will play a key role in bringing positive results for effective handling of climate change. Engagement of other stakeholders, especially academics, is another core agenda of government.

Academics in the province are contributing to and conducting studies on climate change and agriculture sector. For example, Agriculture University of Faisalabad has published some work on climate change adaptation and highlighted the importance of adaptation in the province. The university has linkages with international institutions on climate change research. The linkages with international institutions provide opportunities for the professors and researchers at the university to learn innovative adaptation techniques from other parts of the world. They can put into practice in Pakistan the relevant activities they have learned for climate adaptation towards agriculture sector.

#### **4.5 Departmental coordination**

Coordination among relevant line departments is essentially important for the implementation of any policy. The subnational government of Punjab has established a link among the 26 agriculture institutes throughout the province in order to set up comprehension strategies for climate change and the agriculture sector. They regularly arrange meetings among these institutes to discuss the new challenges and the existing strategies to manage the negative impacts of climate change. For instance, the Ayub Research Centre (ARC), which manages climate change related activities, is well familiar with what is happening in the agriculture extension departments at various levels and vice versa. By being aware of the activities of agriculture extension departments and others, the ARC can disseminate the positive activities among other institutions and set new targets accordingly.

#### **4.6 Autonomous adaptation and transference of adaptation initiatives**

It is noted that the farmers in the province are adjusting to climate change. They are adjusting their agricultural activities with changing climate. In the recent year,

**77**

*Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in Agricultural Sector: The Case of Local Responses…*

adaptation strategies are being explored by the farmers in many ways. For instance, in Pakistan and Brazil farmers' community is adapting climate change variability by adjustment of planting time and optimization of plant populations [66]. These adjustments are very important adaptation strategies to get the maximum potential of the crops and secure expected productivity. Likewise, the improved and heat tolerant seeds are another important strategy which is being used in Punjab province by the farmers. The development of improved varieties such as early maturing, drought and heat tolerant are necessary to sustain the productivity under changing climate. It is very likely by incorporating such adaptation techniques, the production can increase under moisture stress and extreme temperatures [67]. The autonomous strategies are identified: changing seeds types, changing sowing dates, looking for new fertilizers and planning shade trees. It is the experience; enhance productivity, and knowledge sharing in the farmers' community which encourages

It is observed that the adaptation strategies are being transferred from one place to another place. They successful strategies are being shared among the farmers' community within the Punjab province and beyond. The successful strategies are applied by other farmers. For instance, a farmer's production was suffering due to rise in temperature. He brought the wheat seed from another place where the temperature was already high; probably these seeds are more heat tolerant. By applying this strategy his production was increased. He shared his practice with other farmers in the area so they also started the same practice and that was quite successful. These strategies are not only limited to the Punjab province but it is also reported that the successful adaptation initiatives either they are planned or autonomous are replicated in other province. For instance, the framers in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) with bordering area of Punjab province are learning the successful stories from Punjab farmers and replicated in their areas in the KPK. This is again shared and transferred within the farmers' community in the KPK. Therefore, it is concluded that the adaptation initiatives in Punjab province is not only limited and transferred within Punjab province but also transferred and implemented in other areas and provinces. Despite all these

Despite these promising initiatives the province and local farmers are facing some key challenges for the effective adaptation to climate change. The data indicates that the major hurdles are in the form of a lack of institutional and human capacity, scarcity of financial resources, a lack of technological advancement, lack of research and innovation, and a weak integration of adaptation policy with other related policies. On the other hand the local farmers face lack the awareness about climate change, weak capacity building, financial constraints, and technicality

Climate change adaptation in the agriculture sector is considered a striking strategy to manage the impacts of climate change. Theoretically, climate change adaptation is a new field and it creates a space for experimentation and new forms of governance. In recent years, subnational governments have shown that they have an effective role in dealing with climate change. The subnational government Punjab is firmly committed to addressing the challenge of climate change.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83553*

them to opt for these adaptation actions.

efforts, there are certain challenges as well.

issues to opt with adaptation measures.

**4.7 Key challenges**

**5. Conclusion**

#### *Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in Agricultural Sector: The Case of Local Responses… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83553*

adaptation strategies are being explored by the farmers in many ways. For instance, in Pakistan and Brazil farmers' community is adapting climate change variability by adjustment of planting time and optimization of plant populations [66]. These adjustments are very important adaptation strategies to get the maximum potential of the crops and secure expected productivity. Likewise, the improved and heat tolerant seeds are another important strategy which is being used in Punjab province by the farmers. The development of improved varieties such as early maturing, drought and heat tolerant are necessary to sustain the productivity under changing climate. It is very likely by incorporating such adaptation techniques, the production can increase under moisture stress and extreme temperatures [67]. The autonomous strategies are identified: changing seeds types, changing sowing dates, looking for new fertilizers and planning shade trees. It is the experience; enhance productivity, and knowledge sharing in the farmers' community which encourages them to opt for these adaptation actions.

It is observed that the adaptation strategies are being transferred from one place to another place. They successful strategies are being shared among the farmers' community within the Punjab province and beyond. The successful strategies are applied by other farmers. For instance, a farmer's production was suffering due to rise in temperature. He brought the wheat seed from another place where the temperature was already high; probably these seeds are more heat tolerant. By applying this strategy his production was increased. He shared his practice with other farmers in the area so they also started the same practice and that was quite successful. These strategies are not only limited to the Punjab province but it is also reported that the successful adaptation initiatives either they are planned or autonomous are replicated in other province. For instance, the framers in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) with bordering area of Punjab province are learning the successful stories from Punjab farmers and replicated in their areas in the KPK. This is again shared and transferred within the farmers' community in the KPK. Therefore, it is concluded that the adaptation initiatives in Punjab province is not only limited and transferred within Punjab province but also transferred and implemented in other areas and provinces. Despite all these efforts, there are certain challenges as well.
