Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade 2020 Volume 65, Issue 3, Pages: 263-281
https://doi.org/10.2298/JAS2003263S
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Vulnerability of agriculture to climate change in Serbia - farmers’ assessment of impacts and damages
Stričević Ružica J. (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia), sruzica@agrif.bg.ac.rs
Lipovac Aleksa D. (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia)
Prodanović Slaven A. (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia)
Ristovski Marijana A. (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia)
Petrović-Obradović Olivera T. (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia)
Đurović Nevenka Lj. (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia)
Đurović Dejan B. (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia)
Considering the already observed trends of increasing air temperatures,
changes in precipitation regimes, and extension of the growing season, as
well as predictions that climate conditions in Serbia will deteriorate and
the risks to farming will increase, the objective of this research is to
assess the vulnerability of agriculture in Serbia to climate change, based
on farmers’ perceptions. A team of experts in all areas of agriculture and
soil and water management compiled a questionnaire for a semi-open online
survey. The snowball sampling approach was followed, relying on personal
contacts and social media. In total, 141 farmers responded to the
questionnaire. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics. The
differences by region, activity and topography were tested by ANOVA and
Student’s t-test. The feedback was used to assess the damages sustained by
farmers due to climate change and reduced revenues in their respective areas
of agricultural activity. Certain positive effects of climate change were
also identified. A need for training in climate change impact mitigation is
noted. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The
surveyed farmers believe that the most important effects of climate change
were periods of extreme high temperature, droughts, late spring frost, and
hail. Climate change seems to be reducing yields, facilitating the
appearance of new diseases and pests, and causing a lower tolerance to
existing diseases and pests. Farmers expressed considerable interest in
climate change impact adaptation and mitigation training.
Keywords: climate change, agriculture vulnerability, impacts, questionnaire
Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 451-03-68/2020-14/200116