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Climate change awareness and farm level adaptation of rainfed farmers (Central Dry Zone) in Monywa Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar
Thesis Abstract:
Primary data were gathered from the Monywa Township, Sagaing Region,
Myanmar. Using geographical stratification, 50 respondents each from upstream, midstream, and downstream strata were randomly selected. The study aimed to: (1) determine the factors influencing climate change awareness of rainfed farmers; (2) determine the perceived effects of climate change among farmers growing four major crops such as pigeon pea, chick pea (pulses), and onion and garlic (culinary crops); (3) identify the methods of farm level adaptation practiced by farmers in coping climate variation and other factors; (4) study the relationship between awareness of climate
change and farm level adaptation of rainfed farmers in Monywa Township; and (5) provide key recommendations to the concerned stakeholders to promote sustainable agriculture in area.
Majority of the respondents were men who were likely to have access to
information, skills, and knowledge to adapt to climate change. Institutional factors that influence awareness of climate change included farm input costs, provision of farm machinery by either the private sector or the Department of Agriculture, and agricultural support programs. Over 43 percent of total respondents altered agriculture activities depending on input costs and 29 percent changed their farming system based on agricultural support of private or government sector due to the lack of access to capital/finance, water, and agricultural inputs without due consideration
of climate change.
Perceived effects of climate change included negative effects to agriculture as the sown area was reduced due to pests and diseases infestation, insufficient availability of rainfall or heavy rainfall, shorter growing season, and increased erratic rainfall pattern. Among the four major crops in the study area, pigeon pea was heavily affected by variation in rainfall pattern since it was grown during the rainy season.
Chick pea, onion, and garlic were cultivated during the winter season according to cropping pattern.
In terms of farm level adaptation, 72 percent of total respondents used
monocropping as traditional farming although monocrop choices can make farmers extremely vulnerable to climate-induced shocks.
The study showed that awareness to climate change is related to farm level adaptation. About 28 percent of the respondents changed cropping system from monocropping to other practices, which include intercropping, mix-cropping, crop rotation, and multiple cropping to minimize the risk of climate change in the dry zone area.
Effective strategies to promote community resilience in the dry zone area must include building the capacity of individuals as well as communities to sustain agricultural productivity and household incomes. Human capacity development should be a priority to ensure effective farm level adaptation to climate changes.