Farmers’ Awareness and Adaptation Strategies in Coping Climate Change in Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines

This study determined the farmers’ awareness on climate change, adaptation strategies and as well as issues and problems encountered. Descriptive type of research was utilized in the study. Respondents included farmers, city agriculturist and municipal agriculturist. A total of 93 farmers were taken as respondents. The respondents were selected randomly from the list of active members of farmers association provided by the Office of the City Agriculturist of Zamboanga City and Municipal Agriculturist of Zamboanga Sibugay. A structured questionnaire and focus group discussion were carried out to answer the different objectives. Majority of the farmer respondents are aware on climate change concepts. They said that extreme weather events could affect their production and eventually their livelihood. For adaptation strategies the top 3 are: use suitable crops during extreme weather condition, adjust timing of planting activities and rainwater harvesting. For the issues and problems encountered that affect their adaptation strategies, they said; decreased yield of crops, delayed fruiting of crops and increase of pests and diseases. To be consistent with Sustainable Development Goals number 2 and 13 of the United Nations. There is a need for the local government units and national government agencies to provide the necessary information, infrastructure and other assistance to aid the farmers in dealing with the changes in the climatic conditions for them to be sustainable and resilient.

Keywords: Adaptation strategies, climate change, sustainable