Determining factors for the application of climate change adaptation strategies among farmers in Magwe District, dry zone region of Myanmar
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management
ISSN: 1756-8692
Article publication date: 9 January 2017
Abstract
Purpose
Climate change negatively affects agricultural crop production in the dry zone region of Myanmar. This paper aims to examine climate change adaptation strategies of farmers in the dry zone region. Farmers’ choice for adaptation strategies is influenced by many factors such as the practical availability and by socioeconomic conditions of the farmers. They are moreover influenced by the perception about climate change and by the specific problems prevailing in the farming systems.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is carried out in Magwe district in the dry zone region of Myanmar using a random selection of 212 farmers from three Townships (Magwe, Yenanchaung and Chauk). A multinomial logistic regression (MLR) was applied to assess the factors affecting the choice by farmers for adaptation strategies.
Findings
The study found that in the past, farmers used to apply locally available indigenous climate change adaptation strategies. However, recently, most farmers seem to have shifted to introduced adaptation strategies. The most popular adaptation strategy is to adjust the planting dates and sowing method (56.1 per cent). Furthermore, farmers identified a number of barriers that limit the adoption of adaptation methods. Risk is found to be an important driver of crop diversification. Finally, the MLR model showed that information from radio, access to seeds and extension services affect the choice of adaptation strategies.
Originality/value
The study shows that adoption of locally available indigenous climate change adaptation methods is gradually decreasing, and there is a shift to introduced adaptation strategies. The study can assist public and private organizations to obtain insight in the determinants of climate change adaptation in the dry zone region of Myanmar.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the comments from anonymous reviewers and also extend gratitude to the editors. Aung Tun Oo is highly thankful to WWF and Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) for the financial support to enhance capacity for conservation in Myanmar and also owe a gratitude to the Ghent University for giving him an admission to the PhD program. All remaining errors should be attributed to the authors.
Citation
Tun Oo, A., Van Huylenbroeck, G. and Speelman, S. (2017), "Determining factors for the application of climate change adaptation strategies among farmers in Magwe District, dry zone region of Myanmar", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 36-55. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-09-2015-0134
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited