A downscaled examination of drought vulnerability and self-reported preparedness among livestock farmers in the northeast of Romania

Recent European drought events have highlighted that vulnerability and preparedness play a pivotal role in shaping both the potential impacts of drought and its management. This study aims to take an in-depth look at drought vulnerability and preparedness, their spatial distribution, and the relationships between them, local landforms, and farm settings. The case study focuses on livestock farmers who face challenges related to drought impacts due to significant drought exposure, but whose needs and interests are often overlooked by mitigation strategies and compensation schemes. Examining their vulnerability to drought relied on a downscaled, index-based approach that integrates data collected through an in situ survey, from 141 farmers in the northeast Romania. In the study area, drought vulnerability negatively correlated with self-reported preparedness, and both of them varied across farm sizes. Smaller farms tend to have higher vulnerability and lower preparedness. Cross-correlations indicate that farming educational background, availability of fodder and financial reserves, basic infrastructure, and access to water are key to understanding drought vulnerability and preparedness. To date, there are no studies that compare drought vulnerability estimates with livestock farmers’ self-reported preparedness. These findings provide a roadmap for developing drought management plans tailored to food systems focused on livestock farming that can be applied at the European level.