Role of adaptation strategies for climate change and nutrients management tools in Gilgit Baltistan’s agriculture

Abstract

Climate change threatens global food security by raising greenhouse gas emissions, leading to a rise in overall temperatures. Global warming and its negative consequences are increasing in Pakistan and are also visible in Gilgit-Baltistan's ecosystems. Different adaptation strategies greatly impact farmers’ lives and provide support to their social, cultural, financial, and human aspects for ensuring sustainable livelihoods. Human and economic assets have significant effects on smallholders' adaptation techniques for their livelihoods. Local farming traditionally has been a substantial share to food production and nutrients in Baltistan's mountainous districts. But macro and micronutrient deficiencies had been reported in most of the soils, which can be furnished through various nutrient control practices. Though few attempts have been made to improve the agriculture of this region, agriculture overall is not in good shape, and it requires attention from Government, NGOs, and academia. The main reason behind this miserable condition is due to no substantial field crop production or soil management advances have been designed and implemented. Conventional methods are still being practiced. Aside from a lack of land, poor seedling, outdated agricultural practices, and inexperienced labor are also major roadblocks to modern agriculture and its sustainability against changing climatic conditions. On a small scale, the application of phosphorus (P) to the soil improved both crop yield and yield-related factors. Better effects have been received from mixed use of seed priming and soil P utility. The foliar utility of macro and micronutrients additionally produced better crop yield and yield components. Similarly, foliar utility of micronutrients (zinc and boron) improved yield over the years. © 2021 The Author(s)