Summary Reports of Studies on Agriculture, Livestock, Health and Nutrition
India has a high degree of sensitivity to climate change, which is compounded in areas of extreme poverty, poor general health and a high dependency on agriculture (Maplecroft 2010). The adverse effects of climate change such as increased evaporation rates, changes in rainfall patterns and changes in water quality are especially harsh in dry land and barren ecosystems. The geographical position of the Indian Peninsula renders Ananthapuramu district, one of the driest districts and the second most drought-affected in the country. It is the most drought affected district of Andhra Pradesh with an average rainfall of 381 mm.
In the 4 mandals, which constitute the Collective’s working area, the rainfall is less than the average for the district. Of the four, Chennekothapalli and Ramagiri receive the least (less than average) in Ananthapuramu. With a population of 4 million, Ananthapuramu is one of the poorest districts in the country and has 45% rural indebtedness against a state-wide 18%. A majority of the population here are marginal dry land farmers exploiting a fragile resource base. Desertification of the district along with mono cropping, chemicalisation, deforestation, excess use of ground water, and recurrent drought has resulted in overall deterioration of health, migration, faction politics, extremism and farmer suicides. This situation calls for an integrated and community owned response, which deals with the existing disparities and inequalities.
