Corresponding author: rafay.muzmil@uaf.edu.pk

Agriculture is the most important sector of Pakistan’s economy with wheat as the main crop of food production systems across the nation. Crop production is being impacted by changing weather and wheat is one of the most affected crops. Wheat crop production is being affected by changes and declines in rainfall patterns which require significant changes in farm management practices.

This research examined wheat farmers’ perspective about climate impacts, adaptation strategies and associated factors, and the institutional support they receive to cope with the effects on wheat production. The study was conducted in Gujranwala district in Punjab, Pakistan during 2022-23 with a survey conducted in total of 24 villages engaged in wheat cultivation.

Descriptive statistics were used to identify mean values against recorded responses on a five-point Likert scale. The findings revealed that the most experienced climate impacts perceived by wheat growers are increased summer heat (mean 2.66), insufficient water for wheat crop (mean 2.37) and low wheat yield (mean 2.25) which ultimately exacerbate food insecurity in the region.

This food insecurity situation is further aggravated by factors such as rising food prices, availability, and affordability of agricultural inputs crucial for farmers’ living. In such circumstances, farmers are compelled to adapt changing weather conditions. In this vein, the findings highlight prioritised adaptation strategies such as increased use of pesticides (mean 2.82), cultivation of recommended varieties (mean 2.51), and enhanced irrigation (mean 2.01) as top three important strategies.

In addition, the results highlight factors influencing wheat farmers’ decisions to adapt, with limited education (mean 4.37), environmental factors contributing to soil infertility (mean 2.25), and credibility of agri. Information (mean 2.81), emerging as the top three influential factors.

Finally, this study assessed the institutional support available to farmers and subsequently identified the use of mass media in brining awareness (mean 2.79) and regular farmer meetings facilitated by extension personals (mean 2.49) as the top two institutional strategies to cope with challenges associated with changing climate conditions.