Assessing the Economic Costs of Climate Change on Coastal Agriculture: An Analytical Study

Abstract

Climate change poses an escalating threat to agriculture, especially in coastal regions vulnerable to sea-level rise, saline intrusion, and extreme weather events. This study examines the economic costs of climate change on coastal agriculture in select regions of India, with a focus on crop yield reductions, income instability, and increased input costs. Using a mixed-method approach combining secondary data analysis and farmer surveys, the study quantifies direct and indirect costs borne by farming communities. Findings reveal significant income losses, crop damage, and rising costs associated with adaptation measures. The paper recommends strategic interventions including crop diversification, improved irrigation infrastructure, and climate-resilient policy reforms to buffer coastal farmers against the intensifying impacts of climate change.