Adaptive capacity of rice farmers to rainfall variability and extremes in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines.

摘要

The study examined the adaptive capacity of the rice production sector to rainfall variability and extremes. It developed and applied a composite vulnerability index which can be used to identify and characterize vulnerable areas at the sub-provincial level. Based on the findings, vulnerability is significantly associated with the proportion of rural population, literacy rate and income per capita of the municipality. The local case studies, on the other hand, show that farmers have been shifting to high-yielding, early-maturing varieties, changing planting dates and diversifying crops. They likewise take on non-farm jobs to cope with the effects of rainfall variability and extremes, thereby resulting in the increased importance of non-farm income. The intervention of government is also crucial in facilitating adaptation while the collective participation of farmers is very important in ensuring acceptance and effectiveness of these adaptation measures.