The correct answer is: D) Climate change vulnerability
Kerala is a state in India that is highly vulnerable to climate change. The state has experienced a number of climate-related disasters in recent years, including floods, droughts, and landslides. These disasters have had a devastating impact on the state’s agriculture sector.
Kerala’s agriculture sector is heavily dependent on rainfall. The state receives an average of 3,000 mm of rainfall per year, but this rainfall is highly variable. In recent years, the state has experienced both droughts and floods. Droughts have led to crop failures, while floods have damaged crops and infrastructure.
Climate change is expected to make these climate-related disasters more frequent and severe. This will have a devastating impact on Kerala’s agriculture sector. The state will need to take steps to adapt to climate change, such as investing in irrigation and drought-resistant crops.
The other options are also challenges faced by Kerala’s agriculture sector, but they are not as significant as climate change vulnerability.
- Lack of irrigation facilities: Kerala has a long coastline and a mountainous terrain. This makes it difficult to build irrigation canals and dams. As a result, many farmers in Kerala do not have access to irrigation. This can lead to crop failures during droughts.
- Small landholdings: The average landholding size in Kerala is very small. This makes it difficult for farmers to mechanize their operations and adopt new technologies. It also makes it difficult for farmers to compete with large-scale farms in other parts of India.
- High labor costs: The cost of labor is high in Kerala. This is due to the state’s high literacy rate and its relatively developed economy. The high cost of labor makes it difficult for farmers to make a profit.
These challenges are all important, but they are not as significant as climate change vulnerability. Climate change is a global problem that is having a devastating impact on Kerala’s agriculture sector. The state will need to take steps to adapt to climate change, such as investing in irrigation and drought-resistant crops.