FARMERS, PERCEPTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF VEGETABLE CROPS IN THE SUWAIRA DISTRICT/ WASIT AND AL- MAHMOUDIYA DISTRICT IN BAGHDAD GOVERNORATE

Abstract

The current study aims to determine farmers’ perception on climate change and its impact on vegetable production tomatoes, cucumbers and green pepper…etc., and identify socio-economic shacieteristics as age, education level, marital status, experience in agricultural work, farm size, annual income,.etc. were also recorded influencing their perception of climate change. This study was conducted in Essaouira and Al-Mahmoudiya districts in Wasit and Baghdad Governorates. Data were collected by using face-to-face interviews from the randomly selected sample of 125 respondents through 1st January to 30th January, 2022. Results indicated that 100% of respondents don’t participate in training courses. Results revealed that the majority (60.8%) of respondents have a low perception on climate change impacts. The study recommended raising farmers’ perception of climate change needs to increase agricultural extension services and government support to help them to be taken and improve their perception on climate change and its impacts on vegetable production. Keywords: Farmers’ perception, Climate Change, Vegetable crops.