Exploring Perceived Weather Uncertainty among Indian Farmers: Insights from Micro-level Analysis and Interpretations

India's economy relies heavily on farming, which is crucial for growth, jobs, and survival. However weather uncertainties like droughts, floods, and heatwaves make farming challenging. These uncertainties lower crop yield and quality, causing financial problems for farmers. Despite farmers' efforts, unpredictable weather still hurts crop management. Understanding how farmers feel about these uncertainties is vital for adapting to climate change and reducing risks. The present study was conducted in three villages: Bhomrapara, Mitrapur, and Maniktala of Haringhata block of Nadia district of West Bengal, India, from 2021 to 2022. Nadia district was purposively selected as it comes under the new alluvial zone (NAZ), which has decent productivity in terms of agriculture. A hundred farmers with good farming experiences were identified from the sampling frame, and responses were collected through a structured interview schedule. The study explores the diverse perspectives of Indian farmers on climate-related uncertainty, reveals that factors such as age, education, and landholding size significantly influence these views. Experienced farmers and those with more extensive landholdings perceive more significant uncertainty, with irrigation practices, crop yield, and cultivation costs play crucial roles. The study emphasizes the urgency of proactive risk reduction and resilience enhancement to avoid severe implications for agriculture and food security.