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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Barriers to effective cyclone adaptation strategies among paddy growers: Insights from cyclone-prone coastal regions of Odisha, India

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13695
Submitted
15 January 2026
Published
15-06-2026

Abstract

Cyclones pose recurrent and escalating threats to agrarian livelihoods in coastal Odisha. Rice cultivation forms the backbone of rural employment, food security and household income in this state. The present study assessed the constraints that affect the adaptation behaviour of rice farmers in cyclone prone areas of Odisha. A multistage sampling design combining purposive and random techniques was adopted and about 120 paddy growers from Chaumukh and Bainchua villages of the Baliapal block in Balasore district, one of the most cyclone-affected regions of the state were assessed. Primary data were collected through structured interviews using a five-point severity continuum that included highly severe to least or no constraint criteria. Constraint scores were aggregated and ranked based on mean severity to identify the most critical barriers across multiple dimensions of adaptation. The results revealed that each dimension including financial, institutional, technological, social, knowledge, psychological and environment was affected. Limited access to institutional credit emerged as the most severe constraint under the financial dimension. Bureaucratic delays in the disbursement of relief and subsidies were identified as the major impediment within the institutional dimension. Poor accessibility to climate-resilient rice cultivars was identified as the most critical constraint under the technological dimension. Social constraints were dominated by the migration of youth to towns and cities, reducing the availability of farm labour. In the environmental dimension, frequent flooding and waterlogging disrupting field operations was the major limitation. Poor understanding of climate adaptation strategies was the main constraint in terms of knowledge. The psychological dimension was primarily affected by trauma arising from past cyclonic experiences, while the market dimension was hindered by the lack of regulated markets for produce sale. Absence or lack of adequate cyclone shelters and safe storage facilities for harvested paddy emerged as the most severe constraint in the infrastructure dimension. The findings underscore the multidimensional nature of adaptation challenges faced by farmers and emphasise the need for integrated policy and institutional interventions to enhance climate resilience among coastal rice-farming communities.

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