Determinants of economic vulnerability among female-headed households in central Kerala

Determinants of economic vulnerability among female-headed households in central Kerala

Authors

  • Aiswarya T. Pavanan BSc-MSc Integrated Climate Change Adaptation, Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur.
  • Chitra Parayil Assistant Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala
  • Binoo P. Bonny Professor and Head, Centre for Gender Studies, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala
  • A. Prema Professor and Head, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala
  • P. O. Nameer Special Officer, Academy of Climate Change Education and Research (ACCER), Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala
  • P. S. Sreya BSc-MSc Integrated Climate Change Adaptation, Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur.

Keywords:

Extreme weather events, Economic vulnerability, Index, Kerala floods, Women, Male-headed households, Female-headed households

Abstract

Women constitute a disproportionate share of the poor and hence are likely to be extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This study aims to analyse the economic vulnerability of women to extreme weather events and its determinants. It was carried out in the agricultural households of Mala and Vellangallur blocks of Thrissur district in Kerala, which were heavily flooded during the Kerala floods of 2018. Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI) of male and female-headed households were estimated by modifying the ASPIRES Economic Vulnerability Tool. It was found that female-headed households had a greater economic vulnerability compared to male-headed households. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to study the determinants of economic vulnerability. The results suggested that while natural disasters and dependency ratio positively influenced the economic vulnerability, high school education, assistance from local government, family size and agricultural diversification index were found to negatively influence the vulnerability.

Author Biographies

Aiswarya T. Pavanan, BSc-MSc Integrated Climate Change Adaptation, Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur.

Climate Change Adaptation

Chitra Parayil, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala

Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics

Binoo P. Bonny, Professor and Head, Centre for Gender Studies, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala

Professor and Head, Centre for Gender Studies

A. Prema, Professor and Head, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala

Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Economics

P. O. Nameer, Special Officer, Academy of Climate Change Education and Research (ACCER), Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala

Special Officer, Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Kerala Agricultural University.

P. S. Sreya, BSc-MSc Integrated Climate Change Adaptation, Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur.

Climate Change Adaptation

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Published

26-02-2022

How to Cite

Pavanan, A. T., Parayil, C., Bonny, B. P., Prema, A., Nameer, P. O., & Sreya, P. S. (2022). Determinants of economic vulnerability among female-headed households in central Kerala. Journal of Tropical Agriculture, 59(2). Retrieved from https://jtropag.kau.in/index.php/ojs2/article/view/1071

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