Agricultural Policies and Perceptions to Climate Change: Insights from Western Himalayas, India

This dissertation explores the intersection of agricultural policy, community perception, and climate change adaptation in the Western Himalayas, India—an ecologically fragile yet critically important agrarian region. As climate change continues to pose severe threats to food security and rural livelihoods, especially in mountain systems, understanding the effectiveness of existing policy frameworks and their reception among local farming communities becomes essential. The research adopts a mixed-method, tripartite design rooted in the production of system, target, and transformative knowledge. Through qualitative content analysis of 31 national agricultural policy documents, focus group discussions conducted across three altitudinal zones of Himachal Pradesh, and a global systematic review of 121 peer-reviewed articles, the study investigates: (1) how agricultural policies address climate change and sustainability; (2) how farming communities perceive, experience, and respond to these policies; and (3) what behavioural, institutional, and governance factors influence the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Findings reveal a dominant emphasis on productivity and economic outcomes in most policy documents, with limited integration of climate change adaptation or sustainability principles—particularly in terms of social equity and ecological resilience. Smallholder and marginalized farmers, despite being highly vulnerable to climate impacts, are often inadequately represented or supported in policy narratives. Field data highlight a widespread gap between policy formulation and ground realities, with farmers experiencing challenges in accessing information, financial services, and institutional support. Perceptions of policy effectiveness vary, shaped by contextual factors such as altitude, farm size, education, and livelihood diversification. The study argues for a shift towards participatory, context-sensitive, and inclusive policy frameworks that recognize the agency of local communities and the complexities of mountain agriculture. It recommends regionally tailored adaptation strategies that integrate traditional ecological knowledge with scientific innovation, improved extension services, and stronger cross-sectoral governance. By synthesizing insights across multiple knowledge domains, the dissertation contributes to the discourse on sustainable transitions in agriculture and offers practical pathways for enhancing resilience and food security in the Himalayan region and similar vulnerable agro-ecological zones globally.