Project Details.

Owing to drastic climatic changes and climatic variability, sustainable cotton production is under threat. Cotton production is predicted to decline by 20–30% due to climate change. The study was conducted to examine the climate change vulnerability assessment for cotton crops and suggest adaptation strategies for better cotton crop production (in Ghotki, Sukkur, and Khairpur districts). In order to promote the sustainability of cotton production and adhere to the Better Cotton Production Principles and Criteria (BC-P&C), WWF-Pakistan (in partnership with the Better Cotton Support Program) had been addressing the environmental and social issues related to cotton production in three districts of Sindh for many decades now. 

The program aimed to tackle the most urgent sustainability problems in cotton growing, such as pesticide use, water efficiency, and working conditions like child labor, gender pay disparities, and poverty. The main aim of the study is to assess the vulnerability of cotton crops and cotton farmers’ livelihoods under changing climatic conditions, especially those related to changes in weather, rainfall patterns, and humidity in the project districts. 

HIMAT Consulting reviewed already-conducted research and approaches regarding vulnerability assessments specifically related to the cotton crop. HIMAT Consulting collected, compiled, and interpreted the required information from relevant published reports from relevant research institutions, academia, commodity markets, etc. for CCVA. HIMAT Consulting developed methodology to collect additional required information through qualitative data collection tools (FGDs and KIIs). 

HIMAT Consulting prepared the FGD, KII guide, and detailed work plan for field data collection and compilation. HIMAT Consulting conducted FGDs in the target districts with farmers and KIIs with relevant officials from public and private sector organizations for CCVA. 

HIMAT Consulting analyzed data to consolidate findings, recommendations, and best practices regarding the climate-smart cotton crop. HIMAT Consulting drafted a detailed report based on information gathered from the field. Presented its findings to the project team and donor. Helped WWF establish baseline information for a three-year’ plan for climate change mitigation and adaptation for cotton farmers to be executed after this study.