Enhancement of sugarcane production by counteracting the adverse effects of climate change in Sindh Province, Pakistan

In Pakistan sugarcane is an important cash crop, a source of income and employment for the farming community. The environmental degradation results in the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events has significant consequences for sugarcane production in the world, especially in the developing countries like Pakistan, because of relatively low adaptive capacity, high vulnerability to natural hazards, and weak forecasting systems and mitigating strategies. This paper is an attempt to analyze the impact of environmental change on sugarcane production in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Qualitative and quantitative data approach were adopted for the analysis and the data are collected through exploratory design, case study, and survey design. The sample consists of sugarcane growers, that is, landowner farmers, ex-farmers, and employed farmers. The results based on multiple regression model indicate that only three factors (rainfall, soil conditions, and irrigation) have a significant effect on the production of sugarcane. Some suggestions and implications are mentioned based on empirical findings.