Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives

ISSN Print: 2984-8288, ISSN Online: 2984-8385

Vol. 2, No. 6, pp. 132-138, June 2024

Challenges and Adaptation Practices of Farmers on Climate Change

Ruvy M.Tuble1*, Leni M. Lacuesta2
1Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, Negros Occidental, Philippines
2City Agriculture Office, LGU-Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

*Corresponding Author Email: [email protected]

Dated received: April 10, 2024 Originality: 96%

Date revised: April 28, 2024 Grammarly Score: 99%
Date accepted: May 1, 2024 Similarity: 4%

Recommended citation:
Tuble, R., & Lacuesta, L. (2024). Challenges and adaptation practices of farmers on climate change. Journal of
Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Vol. 2, Number 6, pp. 132-138. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11089970

Abstract. Climate change presents the agricultural industry with unforeseen difficulties, impacting
livelihoods, food security, crop productivity, and sustainability. This descriptive study aims to illuminate
the prevalent challenges in production and cropping patterns experienced by farmers due to climate change,
along with their primary adaptation practices to mitigate adverse effects. It employs statistical tools such as
ranking, mean, standard deviation, frequency count, and percentage distribution for data analysis. The
respondents primarily consisted of high school graduate women with extensive farming experience and land
ownership. Results indicate that climate change has exacerbated challenges in crop production, with low
yields, pest and disease outbreaks, and flood damage being the most prominent issues. Farmers encounter
numerous challenges in deciding on cropping patterns, mainly due to limited knowledge about viable
techniques such as crop mapping, intercropping, pest and nutrient management, and water scarcity in non-
irrigated fields. The results also show that farmers have adopted several strategies, including reducing the
use of pesticides and petroleum-based fertilizers, conserving water during dry seasons, and improving
drainage and soil mulching to prevent weed growth. Interestingly, indigenous methods have also been
continuously utilized to mitigate the effects of climate change. This emphasizes the importance of innovative
farming methods and ongoing farmer education initiatives for capacity building. Additionally, the results
found no statistically significant association between challenges and adaptation practices.

Keywords: Climate change; Challenges on climate change; Adaptation on climate change; Agriculture;
Production; Crop patterns; High value crops farmers.

1.0 Introduction
The Philippines, with its more than 7,100 islands, relies heavily on agriculture, making it highly vulnerable to the
socioeconomic impacts of natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, landslides, and earthquakes. Recent data
shows that 78.7% of the nation's GDP is at risk from these natural disasters, “posing significant challenges to
agricultural sustainability (Saldivar-Sali, 2016). This vulnerability has spurred a growing body of research focused
on the impact of climate change on Philippine agriculture. For instance, a study by David et al. (2020) examined
how certain provinces' rice production is vulnerable to climate change, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation
measures to safeguard food security. Similarly, Santos and Castillo (2019) analyzed the effect of climate variability
on maize output in Mindanao and emphasized the importance of implementing resilient agricultural techniques
to minimize crop losses. Moreover, Reyes et al. (2021) stated climate change significantly disrupts livelihoods and
food security. These findings underscore the pressing need for targeted interventions to enhance the ability of
agricultural communities to cope with climate-related challenges.

The current study aims to quantitatively analyze the cropping and production patterns of Philippine agricultural
communities. It seeks to quantify the specific challenges encountered by farmers during the process of adaptation
to these patterns. The ultimate objective is to collect empirical data that can be used to develop quantitative
mitigation and adaptation strategies for these communities in response to climate change.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
The systematic review conducted by Barbeiri, Bittner, Adair, and Wollenberg (2024) revealed a predominant focus
within agricultural mitigation and adaptation literature on sustaining or enhancing agricultural production as the
primary strategy for addressing climate change impacts. Correspondingly, Mazur et al. (2019), Kibue et al. (2021),
and Swe et al. (2020) emphasize the importance of mitigation processes in strengthening resistance to climate
change. For that reason, the study considers assessing the primary challenges and the adaptation techniques posed
by climate change.

2.0 Methodology
2.1 Research Design
The study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design along with a comprehensive research framework.
Descriptive research, as elucidated by McCombies (2019), was employed to facilitate a detailed understanding of
the challenges faced by farmers, encompassing issues such as low yields, pest infestations, and crop damage.
Furthermore, as discussed by Cherry (2019), relational research was utilized to explore the relationships between
challenges and adaptation practices as the study aimed to uncover patterns and associations that could inform
effective mitigation strategies. The design is well-suited for this study as it describes phenomena under
investigation and explores the underlying relationships between variables. This approach is essential for
developing comprehensive strategies to enhance agricultural systems' resilience to climate change's impacts.

2.2 Research Locale

The study was carried out in one of the component cities located in the northern part of Negros Occidental.

2.3 Research Participants

Using Yamane's formula with a 5% margin of error, 80 participants were determined as a sample size from 100
high-value commercial crop farmers. The distribution of respondents based on association affiliation is as follows:
Victorias Organic Farmers Association (VOFA) has 22 participants, Minuro Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries-Multi-
Purpose Cooperative (MARBE-MPC) with 17, Kailo Farmers Association (KAFA) with 8, Victorias Integrated
Social Forestry Farmers Association (VISFFA) with 14, and Rural Improvement Club of Hda. San Jose (RIC) with
19. The study employed stratified random sampling to ensure proportional representation from each subgroup,
minimizing biases and ensuring equal chances of selection among the High-Value Crops Farmers Association
members.

2.4 Research Instrument

The study employed a researcher-made survey questionnaire formulated from reviewed literature. Divided into
five parts, it gathered data on participants' profiles, challenges in production and cropping patterns due to climate
change, and adaptation practices. Likert Five-point Scales were used for rating statements, ensuring
comprehensive insight into farmers' experiences and strategies. The survey instrument underwent a validity test
using Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and was administered online. Jurors, including senior agriculturists and
coordinators from various institutions, evaluated the questionnaire's relevance. Twenty-three test items deemed
essential with a CVR of 59% or higher were retained. Reliability, tested with Cronbach's alpha, showed a highly
reliable instrument with a coefficient of 0.908.

2.5 Data Gathering Procedure

A formal request letter was dispatched to the City Agriculturist and various chairpersons of farmer's associations
seeking approval for the study among their members. Reproduced survey questionnaires were distributed to
eighty high-value commercial crop farmers. The researcher conducted face-to-face surveys, adhering to health
protocols, and ensured questionnaires were accurately translated into the local language. All completed surveys
were diligently collected, consolidated, and tabulated. The weight assigned to quantitative scales in each
questionnaire was meticulously considered for data analysis. Statistical findings were presented, consolidated,
interpreted, and analyzed in tabular form.

2.6 Ethical Considerations

This research study followed ethical guidelines throughout the study. Respondents participated voluntarily,
understanding that their responses would be handled with the utmost confidentiality solely for academic

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purposes, without any financial incentives involved. Upon study completion, filled-out survey questionnaires
were responsibly disposed of by recycling paper into charcoal, ensuring environmental sustainability.

3.0 Results and Discussion

3.1 Profile of the Respondents
The data in Table 1 presents the demographic profile of participants, such as age, sex, household size, land
ownership, monthly average income, educational attainment, and marital status. An equal distribution was
observed among age groups, with half of the respondents aged 49 and below and the remainder aged 50 years
and above. Females comprised the majority at 56.3%, while males represented 43.8%. Household size
predominantly fell within the range of 1-5 members (61.3%), followed by 6-10 members (35%), with a small
fraction residing in households with over ten members (3.8%). Land ownership primarily rested with the farmers
themselves (66.3%), with a minority leasing (5%), acting as tenants (12.5%), or under alternative agreements
(16.3%). Monthly income predominantly ranged from 1,000 to 5,000 pesos (83.8%), followed by 6,000 to 10,000
pesos (13.8%), and a minority earning 11,000 to 15,000 pesos (2.5%) monthly. Educational attainment varied, with
the highest percentage holding high school diplomas (47.5%), followed by those with elementary education
(33.8%) and a college degree (5%). Marital status indicated that the majority were married (86.3%), with smaller
proportions identified as single (3.8%), widowed (6.3%), or in a live-in relationship (3.8%). These insights highlight
the diverse demographic landscape among farmers and underscore the need for tailored interventions to address
their distinct challenges in agricultural practices.

Table 1. Frequency and percentage distribution of respondents in terms of demographic profile

Demographic Profile Frequency Percentage
Age
(Below 49 years old) 40 50.0
(49 years old and above) 40 50.0
Sex
Male 35 43.8
Female 45 56.3
Household size
1 - 5 members 49 61.3
6 - 10 members 28 35.0
10 and above members 3 3.8
Land ownership
Lease 4 5.0
Tenant 10 12.5
Owned 53 66.3
Others 13 16.3
Monthly Average Income
1,000 to 5,000 67 83.8
6,000 to 10,000 11 13.8
11,000 to 15,000 2 2.5
Educational Attainment
Elementary 27 33.8
High school 38 47.5
College level 11 13.8
College Graduate 4 5.0
Marital Status
Married 69 86.3
Single 3 3.8
Widow 5 6.3
Live-in 3 3.8

3.2 Challenges Encountered by Farmers on Climate Change

Production
Data in Table 2 reveals the significant challenges faced by farmers in relation to climate change impacts on
production. The most notable challenge identified by farmers which received the highest mean rating is the
climate-induced impacts on crop yields (Mean=4.61, SD=0.54). Following closely behind are uncontrollable
changes in the atmosphere leading to pest and disease outbreaks (Mean=4.59, SD=0.63), crop damage due to floods
caused by heavy rains (Mean=4.55, SD=0.59), and the complexity of crop cultivation arising from water scarcity
(Mean=4.50, SD=0.66), all rated as "Very High" challenges, respectively. Additionally, the disruption of plant

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development due to extreme weather conditions received a mean rating of 4.48 (SD=0.59), indicating a "High"
level of concern among farmers. The findings underscore the consistency of farmers' experiences with climate-
related challenges, reflecting a heightened awareness among respondents.

Table 2. Challenges encountered by farmers on climate change in terms of production

Challenges on Production M SD Interpretation Rank
1. Affects crop growth resulting in low yields. 4.61 0.54 Very high 1
2. Triggers an uncontrollable change of atmosphere 4.59 0.63 Very high 2
which heads pest and diseases on crops.
3. Damages the crops due to flood caused by heavy 4.55 0.59 Very high 3
rains.
4. Creates complexity in growing crops because of 4.50 0.66 Very high 4
insufficient water supply in the farm.
5. Disrupts the developmental stage of the plants due to 4.48 0.59 High 5
extreme weather conditions.

Furthermore, the results imply a notable risk to food security, highlighted by high ratings for challenges such as
impacts on crop yields, pest and disease outbreaks, and crop damage due to floods. Urgent adaptation strategies
are required, including improved crop varieties and water management techniques, to mitigate these risks. This
aligns with the findings of Alhassan et al. (2019) and Amikuzumo et al. (2019), who emphasize the exacerbation
of food production challenges by climate change-induced soil degradation and population growth. In response to
these challenges, the Climate Change Act of 2009 (R.A. 9729) acknowledges farmers' vulnerability and emphasizes
the importance of integrating climate adaptation and mitigation measures into agriculture. Targeted interventions
and investments in climate-sensitive sectors are essential to address these challenges effectively.

Cropping Pattern
The analysis of the results shown in Table 3 highlights the unanimous agreement among respondents regarding
the challenges encountered regarding cropping patterns due to climate change. Notably, the challenge of low
knowledge of adoptable cropping pattern practices received the highest mean score (M=4.53, SD=0.55), indicating
a strong consensus among participants. It underscores the critical need for enhanced education and training
programs to equip farmers with the necessary skills to adapt to changing agricultural practices. Respondents also
concurred that climate change-induced water scarcity significantly affects cropping patterns, particularly in non-
irrigated farms during the summer/dry season (M=4.45, SD=0.65), thereby ranked second. The challenges posed
by unpredictable changes in water and heat humidity (M=4.30, SD=0.62), weather fluctuations affecting sowing
dates (M=4.26, SD=0.71), and intricate crop pattern management in flood-prone areas (M=4.18, SD=0.63), were
also acknowledged by respondents.

Table 3. Challenges on climate change in terms of cropping pattern

Challenges on Cropping Pattern M SD Interpretation Rank
1. Affects farming operation due to low 4.53 0.55 Very high 1
knowledge on adoptable cropping pattern
practices like intercropping, crop mapping,
and integrated pest and nutrient management.
2. Causes water scarcity that affects the cropping 4.45 0.65 High 2
pattern that affects the non - irrigated farms
particularly during summer/dry season.
3. Unpredictable change of water and heat 4.30 0.62 High 3
humidity brought unfavorable conditions for
seasonal crops.
4. Creates weather fluctuations that affects the 4.26 0.71 High 4
sowing date.
5. Creates intricate crop pattern management on 4.18 0.63 High 5
prone to flood environment.

These findings suggest that farmers have encountered explicit challenges due to climate change, disrupting their
cropping patterns. The result resonates with literature such as that of Stuecker et al. (2018), emphasizing the
increasing importance of skillful seasonal prediction to guide agricultural management in mitigating the
compounded impacts of soil moisture variability and temperature stress. As climate change intensifies, addressing
these challenges becomes paramount to ensure sustainable farming practices and food security.
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3.3 Adaptation Practices on Climate Change
Production
The data presented in Table 4 provides valuable insights into farmers' adaptation practices concerning climate
change in production. The findings suggest a strong consensus among farmers regarding the adoption of various
adaptation strategies. Notably, practices such as minimizing the use of petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides
(M=4.61, SD=0.58) and water conservation during dry seasons or droughts (M=4.54, SD=0.62) emerged as the
topmost adaptation measures. Additionally, farmers recognize the importance of using high-quality seeds
(M=4.38, SD=0.74), practicing soil conservation (M=4.20, SD=0.79), and employing compost application to
enhance soil fertility (M=4.20, SD=0.79). These findings underscore the proactive approach taken by farmers in
addressing the challenges posed by climate change in agricultural production.

Table 4. Adaptation practices on climate change in terms of production

Adaptation practices M SD Interpretation Rank
1. Minimizing use of petroleum-based 4.61 0.58 Very high 1
fertilizers & pesticides.
2. Conserve water use of particularly in 4.54 0.62 Very high 2
times of dry season/drought.
3. Use of good quality seeds & planting 4.38 0.74 High 3
materials of well-adopted varieties.
4. Encourage practice of soil 4.34 0.67 High 4
conservation.
5. Uses compost application to increase 4.20 0.79 High 5
organic matter and builds soil
fertility.
6. Control of pests and diseases through 4.18 0.71 High 6
integrated pest management.
7. Integrating livestock into crop 4.08 0.76 High 7
production.

Furthermore, livestock integration into crop production emerged as a notable adaptation strategy (Mean=4.08,
SD=0.76), aligning with Musara, Tibugari, Moyo, & Mutizira (2021), who emphasize farmers' efforts to increase
productivity for crops and livestock to target rewarding markets. However, challenges persist, as highlighted by
Peñalba (2019), who underscores limited knowledge and financial constraints hindering farmers from adopting
new adaptation techniques and technologies. Nevertheless, studies such as TeGrate (2018) highlight the resilience
of farmers in adapting to changing climate conditions by adjusting crop selection, timing field operations, and
implementing sustainable agricultural practices. This indicates that despite challenges, farmers can adapt to
climate change through innovation and resourcefulness, suggesting the importance of providing support and
resources to facilitate adaptation efforts and enhance resilience in agricultural systems.

Cropping Pattern
Table 5 presents data on farmers' adaptation practices concerning climate change in terms of cropping patterns.
Among the implemented practices, drainage improvement to reduce stress on the root system (Mean=4.53,
SD=0.57) and control weeds using them for soil mulching or animal feeding (Mean=4.50, SD=0.64) were strongly
agreed upon. Additionally, farmers indicated agreement with practices such as enhancing knowledge and
preparedness for climate-proof farming (Mean=4.46, SD=0.64), diversifying crop plans and rotations (Mean=4.45,
SD=0.57), practicing soil conservation to reduce erosion and nutrient leaching (Mean=4.34, SD=0.64) and
improving crop cultivars tolerant to drought and other stresses (Mean=4.25, SD=0.65) as measures to mitigate
climate change impacts on their cropping patterns.

These findings suggest that farmers are actively engaged in implementing adaptive strategies to enhance the
resilience of their agricultural systems. Mase et al. (2017) and Xiaomeng (2020) also highlight various adaptation
options available to farmers, including crop switching, altering planting times, improving irrigation measures,
and enhancing soil conservation practices, which align with the practices reported by the surveyed farmers.

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 Table 5. Adaptation practices on climate change in terms of cropping pattern
Adaptation Practices M SD Interpretation Rank
1. Improve drainage that reduces 4.53 0.57 Very high 1
stress to the root system.
2. Control weeds by using it for soil 4.50 0.64 Very high 2
mulching or animal feeding.

3. Enhance knowledge and 4.46 0.64 High 3

preparedness for a climate-proof
farming practice.
4. Diversifying crop plans and crop 4.45 0.57 High 4
rotations.
5. Practice soil conservation to 4.34 0.64 High 5
reduce soil erosion & nutrient
leaching.
6. Improving crop cultivars more 4.25 0.65 High 6
tolerant to drought and other
stresses.

3.4 Relationship Between Challenges and Adaptation Practices

Table 6 presents the relationship between the challenges encountered by farmers and their adaptation practices
concerning climate change on both production and cropping patterns. The analysis revealed a non-significant
relationship [r (77) = 0.206, p = 0.069] at the 0.05 level of significance, indicating no association between challenges
and adaptation practices. These findings suggest that despite facing challenges related to climate change in
production and cropping patterns, farmers' adaptation practices are not significantly influenced by the severity of
these challenges.

Table 6. Relationship between challenges and adaptation practices on climate change

Variables df r-value p-value Interpretation
Challenges * 0.500
77 0.069 Not Significant
Adaptation 0.206
*Significant if α is ≥ .05

This result may be attributed to a need for more knowledge among farmers regarding appropriate mitigation
strategies, as indicated in Table 3, which may hinder their ability to address the challenges they encounter
effectively (Chowdhury, Hasan, & Islam, 2022). Further research and targeted education efforts could help bridge
this gap, enabling farmers to adopt more effective adaptation practices and build resilience in the face of climate
change.

4.0 Conclusion
The study reveals that the farming community, predominantly comprising women, possesses extensive
experience in farm production and cropping patterns, often with a background of completing high school
education and land ownership. While farmers demonstrate a commendable awareness of the challenges posed by
climate change in production and cropping patterns, their adaptation practices are hindered by a perceived lack
of knowledge regarding advanced technologies and methodologies. The study highlights the importance of
introducing climate-smart agricultural technologies alongside ongoing farmer training and capacity-building
initiatives involving local stakeholders, including government units and civil society organizations. Furthermore,
the study underscores the absence of a significant relationship between the challenges faced and the adaptation
practices employed by farmers, indicating a potential gap in effective mitigation strategies. Therefore, there is a
critical need for targeted interventions, such as capacity-building programs and access to relevant resources, to
enhance farmers' resilience to climate change and ensure sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

5.0 Contributions of Authors

AA – editing, writing, processing of data electronically, data analyses, etc.
BA – writing, data gathering, encoding, etc.

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6.0 Funding
The research was conducted without financial support from any external organizations. All costs associated with
the research were covered by the researchers personally.

7.0 Conflict of Interests

The authors confirmed no conflicts of interest regarding this study.

8.0 Acknowledgment
The author expresses gratitude to those who played a pivotal role in the research study’s success, from its
inception through data collection to the analysis of findings.

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