Farmers’ Perception and Adaptation to Climate Change in Thailand

Abstract

Climate change has a direct impact on agriculture. The objectives of this study are: 1) to investigate farmers' perception to climate change; 2) to explore and identify farmers' adaptation options to climate change; and 3) to clarify the factor influencing farmers’ decision to adapt to climate change in each region.
Purposive sampling and questionnaire survey by using both closed and open-ended approaches were employed in four provinces of four regions (Phitsanulok, Lop Buri, Maha Sarakham and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces). Binary logistic regression was used to clarify the factor influencing farmers’ decision to adapt to climate change. The results show that the farmers in Lop Buri and Maha Sarakham Provinces perceived the changing of temperature, which was in line with meteorological data. Regarding farmers’ perception on precipitation changes, only the farmers in Phitsanulok Province perceived the changing of
precipitation, which is consistent with meteorological data. Using crop varieties that are resistant to drought, seeking for non-farm jobs, increasing of surface pond or artesian well, improving in irrigation efficiency, participating in crop insurance programs, and cultivating variety of crop (mixed cropping system)
are the favored options for farmers’ adaption to cope with climate change. The results also reveal that water reserves, amount of debt, non-farm income, planted area, and number of household member are
the important factors influencing farmers’ decision to adapt to climate change.