Literacy and adaptation strategy of rainfed lowland farmer on climate change risk in Takalar Regency

Abstract

This study aims to determine the level of literacy of farmers to the risk of climate change and to analyze climate change risk adaptation strategies in rainfed rice fields. This research was carried out intentionally in areas that have relatively wider rainfed rice fields in the Districts of North Polombakeng and South Polombakeng, Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi Province. Sampling was conducted purposively on 147 farmer respondents. Data sourced from primary and secondary data. Data analysis is a qualitative and quantitative descriptive analysis. The results of this study indicate that the level of literacy of rainfed lowland rice farmers to climate change is the highest on the component of climate change impacts, while the lowest on aspects of climate change adaptation strategies. Farmers’ adaptation strategies in dealing with climate change in rainfed rice farming are the most dominant, including tracking climate change information, shifting planting time, managing cropping patterns, planting spacing, and using short-lived varieties. Rainfed lowland rice farmers in strengthening household food security to face the risk of climate change are more dominant in implementing storage strategies (food reserves), diversifying income in farming and non-farming, and empowering family members to obtain additional income.