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Vulnerability and adaptation of the agricultural production systems to climate change impacts: Planning implications for food security formulation in Buhi, Camarines Sur.
Thesis Abstract:
The municipality of Buhi is highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change. This research study confirms that climate change already had an impact on the municipality, as evidenced by increasing mean temperature, changing precipitation patterns, and increasing frequency and growing intensity of extreme weather events. Unprotected low-lying farmland areas in the municipality of Buhi are frequently devastated by floods, which redound to massive loss of agricultural production and wrought subsequent damage to farm infrastructure and support facilities. Similarly, water-stressed areas without irrigation infrastructure are the most sensitive to drought.
The study determined the degree of vulnerability of the agricultural production systems; identified, evaluated, and characterized farmers' adaptation strategies in response to climate change impacts; recommended suitable and location-specific farm level technology options; and developed food security policy framework that can be utilized by policy and decision-makers in outlining overarching policies to reduce adaptation deficits and increase the resilience of agriculture communities.
The vulnerability assessment indicated that the occurrence of floods was seen in all stages of crop production, and considered the most hazardous climatic variable, as it received more mention and higher ratings during the survey conducted with the farmers. The absence of occasional rains during the dry season appeared to be the main climatic hazard for livestock, depriving them of water and fresh shoots from grasses and shrubs.
The study showed that a wide range of adaptation measures were already being applied. Farmers had already made significant efforts to implement adaptation measures to minimize the impact of climate change. However, most adaptation measures employed by the farmers had been reactive rather than proactive; autonomous rather than well-planned; and largely developed to address climate variability and weather extremes.
Because climate change has a negative impact on agricultural production systems, the study suggests that achieving the municipality's food security targets, in light of climate variability and weather extremes, definitely require greater investments in agricultural productivity. Key areas for increased investment include the provision of climate responsive production support services, rural roads, information technologies, market support, extension services, better climate information, early warning systems, efficient irrigation systems, climate resilient post-harvest facilities, and innovative risk-sharing instruments such as index-based insurance schemes.