Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016

IMPACT, VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE: THE CASE STUDY OF RICE FARMING IN BA PHNUM DISTRICT, PROVINCE

Chea Navin Natural Resource Management, Royal University of Agriculture, Official at Ministry of Agriculture, .

ABSTRACT trends based on 31 years of data on The effects of climate change rainfall (from 1984 to 2014), and 18 include flood, drought, pest and years data of data gathered on disease outbreak, and are likely to temperature (from 1997 to 2014). become more prevalent and more Both the rainfall and the temperature intense in the future. Rice is the data were projected to predict trends backbone of the economy in for 2030 and 2050. Additionally, this Cambodia, and rural people rely on research used household interviews to rice cultivation for their livelihood. consolidate the key findings. Accord- Ba Phnum district is located in Prey ing to observed climate data, over the Veng province, and is the district that past 31 years the average rainfall was is ranked the highest in vulnerability 1421.116 millimeters (mm) annually. to flooding and second most The Special Report on Emissions vulnerable to drought. Scenarios (SRES) A2 projection This study aims to achieve the indicates that rainfall will decrease following objectives, i) to identify 97.504 mm by 2030 and increase past and future climate trends in Prey 41.51 mm by 2050 in the target area. The maximum temperature is 33.02 Veng Province ii) to assess the o impact of climate change and vulner- degrees Celsius ( C) according to SRESA2, and could show an increase ability of rice cultivation in target o o areas iii) to propose adaptation of 0.60 C by 2030 and of 1.12 C, by options for rice farmers. 2050, while temperature in SRESB2 shows an increase 0.41 oC by 2030 The research used the o Providing Regional Climates for and 1.32 C by 2050. The mean annual minimum temperature is Impacts Studies (PRECIS) climate o modeling downscaling for rainfall 23.55 C. The projection shows that temperature could increase 0.46 oC and temperature from Southeast Asia o System for Analysis, Research and by 2030 and increase 1.03 C by 2050 Training (START) Regional Center, using the SRESA2 scenario. For and obtained climate data from water SRESB2 the minimum temperature could increase 0.46 oC by 2030 and resources and meteorology in Prey o Veng Province. The study gathered increase 1.19 C by 2050.

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Household survey data capacity due to widespread poverty indicates that rice is very vulnerable and lack of financial means (Thomas to the impact of climate change due et al., 2013). Many people are poor or to lack of irrigation, changes in are vulnerable to poverty in the face climate, and challenges due to the of shocks and crisis (ECB & ACAPS, market demand. Farmers from the 2011; Worldbank, 2009). Cambodia‟s selected area were aware of the mean surface temperature has impact of climate change, but some increased by 0.8°C since 1960. The have little financial ability to cope mean monthly temperature indicates with it. Farmers in Ba Phnum district an increase between 0.013°C and have selected a short-term variety of 0.036°C per year by 2099(RGC, rice seed variety to supply the market 2013). demand (Nambong - a Vietnamese Rice is the dominant crop in variety of rice seed). Though they Cambodia‟s agricultural sector. It face challenges and are aware the occupies more than 80 percent of seed they are currently cultivating is cultivated land and is the most not tolerant to flood, drought, and important agricultural export com- pests they accept the risks related to modity (Yu & Diao, 2011).In 2010, climate change and use it to meet the the government released a policy on market demand. the promotion of rice production and milled rice exports, with the goal of exporting one million metric tons of KEYWORDS milled rice by 2015 (MoE, 2002; Climate change, Vulnerability of rice Thomas et al., 2013). cultivation Flood and drought have become key influences over the production of rice in Cambodia (ACIAR, 2009; Mainuddin et al., INTRODUCTION 2010; MoE, 2011). Production loss Billions of people, parti- due to the occurrence of climate cularly in developing countries, are hazards such as flood, drought, and predicted to face shortages of water, windstorms are very common and food, and impacts to their health throughout the country. and lifespan as a result of climate The term climate change has change over the next few decades been defined differently according to (UNFCCC, 2007). different institutional requirements. The Kingdom of Cambodia is This section will identify some of the highly vulnerable to climate change most accepted concepts and define- and ranks the 9th most vulnerable in tions of climate change. the world due to high exposure and According to the Framework the lack of coping mechanisms(ECB Convention on Climate Change & ACAPS, 2011) and low adaptive (UNFCCC), the international 2 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016 environmental treaty which almost all events such as early warning systems countries in the world have ratified, for flooding and maps delineating the climate change, refers to rice growing areas of provinces prone to flood and drought, development of a change in the state of the climate irrigation facilities in low land areas, that can be identified (e.g., by using increasing the planting index in statistical tests) by changes in the suitable areas, and diversification of mean and/or the variability of its crops (MoE, 2002). properties, and that persists for an In , rice extended period, typically decades farming is a major source of or longer. Climate change may be livelihood and income (MoE, 2006; due to natural internal processes or Ros et al., 2011). Without designing external forcing such as proper adaptation techniques, the modulations of the solar cycles, agricultural sector will be highly volcanic eruptions, and persistent vulnerable to climate change impacts anthropogenic changes in the especially due to the effects of composition of the atmosphere or in flooding and drought (MoE, 2002; land use. Note that the UNFCCC, in NGO Forum, 2014). its Article 1, defines climate change In Cambodia, the 2000 floods as: “a change of climate which is affected 30 percent of the population, attributed directly or indirectly to killed 347 people, and destroyed human activity that alters the more than 7,000 homes and almost composition of the global 350,000 hectares of rice. Between atmosphere and which is in addition 2000 and 2003 more than 80 percent to natural climate variability of the land area in Prey Veng observed over comparable time province was inundated by flooding periods(IPCC, 2014). (Iran et al., 2003).While some of the impacts of climate change in Vulnerability, as proposed by Cambodia have been documented in Turner II et al, is defined as a the literature, there is a shortage of function of exposure, sensitivity and information regarding on-the-ground adaptive or coping capacity. Vulner- observations made by people ability, broadly speaking, is the themselves who are facing the degree to which a system is likely to challenges and deal with these issues experience harm due to exposure to a every day. They have been adapting hazard (Turner II et al., 2003). to the changes in climate patterns Options to adapt to climate long before climate change became change in the agricultural sector the hot issue it is today. include new high yielding varieties of This study in Prey Veng rice, improvement of crop manage- province helps to fill this knowledge ment, development of capacity to gap by documenting farmer‟s insights adapt to current extreme climate about the issues commonly related to 3 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016 climate change. The research RESEARCH METHODOLOGY provides a valuable record of the Site Selection practical implications of climate change on people‟s daily lives, and identifies adaptive measures that are already being implemented by people and which may be replicated or improved. A deeper understanding of the impact of climate change and the farmers‟ vulnerability will also help improve future rice production. Moreover, the information obtained from this research can assist policy- makers, non-governmental organiza- tions (NGOs) and other climate Figure 1. Map of Research Site. change actors to better understand the level of awareness and coping MoE research(2006) shows mechanisms of farmers, so it can be that Prey Veng province is the most incorporated into action plans for highly vulnerable to flood, ranking improving food security and poverty number one among the provinces in alleviation. Cambodia, and ranking number two in vulnerability to drought. People rely on agriculture, mainly the RESEARCH OBJECTIVES cultivation of rice, for their livelihood. - To identify past and future climate This research was limited to trends in Prey Veng province the Ba Phnum district in Prey Veng - To assess the impact of climate province. The area was selected change and vulnerability of rice based on the vulnerability of the cultivation in the target areas agro-ecological zone, as this district - To propose adaptation options for is close to the river and is often faced farmers and rice cultivation with flood and drought. It is categorized as a „drought prone‟ district. The target communities and

villages were selected based on discussions with key informants from Department of Agriculture in the district, and the chiefs from the communities, who indicated that the selected areas are impacted by flood and drought frequently and should be included in this study. 4 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016

Sampling Method Sample Size Next, the sample size in each village The sample size was was selected by using below formula: identified based on statistical requirements using the sampling n  N n  i formula named “Jamane Taro” with a i N standard error of 10 percent. The sample size was calculated by using n the formula below: i = Number of household samples selected in each village for interview N = Total households in each village N 2306 i n  n  1 Ne2 1 2306(0.1)2 n = Total number of sample size selected (Yamane, 1967) N = Total households in two communities

n = 100 So, the number of household samples N - total population size for interviews in each target village is e - standard error 10% presented in the below table: n - sample size selected

Table 1: Number of Household Samples Selected for Interviewing

District Community Target Villages Number Number of Household sample Selected Moat Prey 158 10 Cheurng Pou Andout 384 20 Phnom Svay Samseb 415 10 Ba Roang Damrei 607 20 Phnum Kouk Sandaek 291 10 Khsach Sor 151 10 ReaksChey Thmei Krau 184 10 Chruol Thum 116 10

Total 2306 100

Method of Data Collection primary and secondary sources This research utilized two following the procedure below: types of research methods: Providing Regional Climates for Impacts Secondary Data Sources: Studies (PRECIS) climate modeling Secondary data was collected from and conducting household interviews. various sources through desk review. The data was collected from both Documentation was collected on government policies related to

5 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016 climate change from the Ministry of of the Department of Agriculture Environment, on rice cultivation from in Ba Phnum district, and the the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry chiefs from selected commu- and Fisheries, and the Ministry of nities. Water Resources and Meteorology.  The interviews aimed to gain a In addition, data from the provincial deeper understanding of the Department of Agriculture and status of climate in Prey Veng Department of Water Resources and province, and the extent of the Meteorology in Prey Veng were area of land that has been utilized for this research. Secondary damaged by flood, drought and was also collected from research other climactic events. Topics articles and research papers of NGOs covered included the existing and research institutions. The legal framework, action plans, documents include previous studies the availability of stakeholder related to climate change issues and support for climate change helped to identify the research area issues, and the climate change and to design appropriate techniques. adaptation strategies of local line The desk review was conducted agencies along with the before the field work start. challenges being faced in order to assist farmers to adapt to Primary Data Sources: Pri- climate change. mary data was also collected from a  Field Observations: During data variety of sources to strengthen the collection, field observations research results were carried out to better  Household survey: The understand the living situation of participants were farmers who the target groups. The researcher had been involved in rice observed the practice of rice cultivation for at least 20 years in farming and irrigation tech- the target areas. The selection niques, the social and economic was based on random selection. aspects of the village, and the The selected villages were climate and geography of the identified and mapped with the target area. village chief prior to data collection. Providing Regional Climates for  Key informants interview: Inter- Impacts Studies (PRECIS) climate views were conducted with the modeling: The PRECIS regional head of the provincial Depart- climate model was used for the ment of Agriculture in Prey projection of climate scenarios. The Veng, head of the Department of researcher downscaled climate data Water Resources and Meteoro- from the Southeast Asia (SEA) logy in Prey Veng province, head START Regional Center (RC) from

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1984 to 2014 for rainfall patterns, and Method of Data Analysis from 1997 to 2014 for maximum and minimum temperatures. The climate projections used The researcher also obtained two types of data; historical data observed climate data from the which was obtained from the SEA provincial Department of Water START RC and observed data that Resources and Meteorology on was gathered from the Department of rainfall levels and the maximum and Water Resources and Meteorology in minimum temperatures. Data on Prey Veng province, and in Ba climate in the district was gathered Phnum district. This data was from the district Department of Water analyzed using two Resource and Meteorology. scenarios,SRESA2 (Reference scenarios), and SRESB2 (Policy scenarios). The method of modeling is provided in the figure below:

Figure 2. Climate Data Analysis.

The data collected from the RESULTS AND DISCUSSION field survey was classified and Past rainfall in Prey Veng Province: descriptive statistics like mean, The climate in Prey Veng standard deviation, percent and province is a monsoon climate frequency were calculated. Data entry divided into two seasons, a wet and analysis used the Statistical season and a dry season. The average Package for Social Science (SPSS) annual rainfall from the last 31 years and Microsoft Excel computer (1984 to 2014) based on observed software climate data is 1421.116 mm annually. This can be compared with SRES A2 model which shows that 7 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016 the average annual rainfall is 1574.70 rainfall is 1583.13 mm annually for mm annually (see Figure 3). Compa- the period 1984 to 2014 (see Figure ring the observed climate data with 4). SRES B2, indicates that the average

Figure 3. Average Annual Rainfall from 1984-2014 from SRES A2 PRECIS Model, Prey Veng.

Figure 4. Average Annual Rainfall from 1984-2014 from SRES B2 PRECIS Model, Prey Veng.

Past Temperature in Prey Veng Province: The observed climate data reveals a maximum temberature of 33.02 oC and for SRES A2, the average maximum temperature is 35.56 oC in the 18

8 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016 year period from 1997 to 2014 (Figure 5). SRES B2 shows that the maximum mean temperature was 35.60 oC (Figure 6) .

Figure 5. Average Annual Tmax from 1997-2014 of SRES A2 PRECIS Model, Prey Veng.

Figure 6. Average Annual Tmax from 1997-2014 of SRES B2 PRECIS Model, Prey Veng.

In the 18-year period from 1997 to 2014, the minimum mean temperature was 23.55 oC, according to baseline data. Scenario A2, (Figure 7) indicates that the minimum mean temperature was 25.90 oC annually during the same period. 9 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016

The minimum mean temperature was25.88 oC annually according to policy scenario B2 (Figure 8).

Figure 7. Average Annual Tmin from 1997-2014 of SRES A2 PRECIS Model, Prey Veng.

Figure 8. Average Annual Tmin from 1997-2014 of SRES B2 PRECIS Model, Prey Veng

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Future Rainfall in Prey Veng: reveals that during the rainy season The projections of average (from mid-May to mid-November) in annual rainfall from 2015 to 2050 2030 the rainfall increases in August used the PRECIS climate model for when compared with observed data scenarios SRESA2 and SRESB2. In and slightly decreases in September Figure 9, the projection for annual and October. However, in 2050 from rainfall using emission scenario June to October, the rainfall increases SREA2 shows that average rainfall when compared with observed could decrease 97.504 mm annually climate data. For SRESB2, monthly by 2030 and could increase 41.51 rainfall projection indicates that in mm annually by 2050. Using 2050 the level of rainfall could analyzed data from downscaling increase from July to October if PRECIS climate model for the period compared with observed climate data of 1984 to 2014 (31 years), the and the projection to 2030. monthly rainfall projection from 2015 to 2050 for scenarios SRESA2

Figure 9. Monthly Rainfall Projection from 2015 to 2050 by SRES A2, B2 PRECIS Model, Prey Veng.

Future Temperature in Prey Veng based on scenario SRESA2 indicates Province: that the annual maximum temperature The observed climate data could increase by 0.60 oC in 2030 and average annual maximum tempera- 1.12 oC in 2050. Scenarios SRESB2 ture from 1997 to 2014 is 33.02 oC. showed that it could increase 0.41 oC The projection to 2030 and 2050 in 2030, and 1.32 oC in 2050.

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Figure 10. Monthly Ave Tmax Projection from 2015 to 2050 by SRES A2, B2 PRECIS Model, Prey Veng.

According to baseline data from the 18-year period, of 1997 to 2014, the minimum mean temperature was 23.55 oC. The PRECIS model climate projection of emission scenerio SRESA2 reveals that the minimum mean temperature could increase 0.46 oC by 2030 and could increase 1.03 in 2050 from the current conditions. Using scenarios SRESB2, it could increase by 0.46 oC in 2030 and by 1.19 oC in 2050 (Figure11).

Figure11. Monthly Ave Tmin Projection from 2015 to 2050 by SRESA2, B2 PRECIS Model, Prey Veng.

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Household Profile-Education Level have only a low level of education it The majority of the respon- is a sign of risk that needs to be taken dents (50 percent) in the research had into consideration. Knowledge of rice completed only primary school farming has links with educational (Figure 12). This result is very high background, as an important foun- and the low level of education dation which can have an effect of attained is a concern. The findings either increasing or decreasing the indicate that 23 percent of respon- production of rice. dents were illiterate. When key actors

University 1%

Non-formal education 3%

High school 10%

Secondary school 13% n=100

Illiteracy 23%

Primary school 50%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Figure 12: Education Level of Respondents from both Communities

Economic Profile Household Main Occupation: emphasized that rice cultivation was Rice cultivation plays an the main occupation of their important role in the household of the households. Rice cultivation is the farmers. More than 88 percent of back-bone of their livelihood in respondents from both communities addition to being their staple food. (Cheung Phnum and Rakschey)

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100% 93%88% 90% Household Main Occupation 80% 70% 60% Cheung Phnum 50% 40% Rakschey 30%

Percentage (%) Percentage 20% 10% 5% 3% 3% 3% 2% 3% 0%

Occupation n=100

Figure 13. Household Main Occupation.

Household Job Diversification: in others the farmer had the only one Job diversification is a very job in their household. In addition to important factor for adaptation interviewing the respondents, it was options. From both communities, 100 observed that job diversification also percent of family members were depended on the number of engaged in the cultivation of rice, household members and whether the followed by animal husbandry at 32 state of their health allowed them to percent, and labor 28 percent. Table engage in multiple jobs and also the 2 shows that some families had more available opportunities. than one source of income; however

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Table 2. Household Job Diversification.

Job Diversification Percentage Rice cultivation 100 Animal husbandry 32 Factory worker 27 Laborer 28 Informal vendor/ small business owner 26 Fishing 11 Vegetable cultivation (vegetables with short-term harvest 10 such as cucumber or cabbage) Cash crop (such as maize, sugarcane, watermelon, 6 soybean, peanut) Government official 9 NGO/company staff 5 Fish farming 1

Household Rice Farming for rice cultivation, while only 32.5 Total Land Ownership for Rice percent had more than one ha. There Cultivation: was not much difference in the size From the research findings, of land owned for rice cultivation 51.7 percent of farmers in Cheung between the two communities. Phnum owned less than one ha of Additionally, the plots of land were land for rice cultivation, while 45 not in one place; with farmers owning percent owned more than one ha. In four plots of paddy rice field each on Rakschey, 67.5 owned one ha of land average

Table 3. Ownership of Land for Cultivation of Rice.

Rice Field Land Cheung Phnum Rakschey (hectare) No % No % < 0.50 12.0 20.0 7.0 17.5 0.50-1 19.0 31.7 20.0 50.0 1-2 15.0 25.0 6.0 15.0 2-4 11.0 18.3 4.0 10.0 4-8 3.0 5.0 3.0 7.5 n=100

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Only 33 percent of respondents from resources reported the main sources both communities reported having as a small river (61 percent), or a lake access to water resources with 53 (27 percent), with access gained percent dependent mainly on rainfall. through the utilization of pumps. Farmers that did have access to water

Source of Water 70% Water Accessing for Wet- 61% rice 60% 50% 40% Yes 27% 33% 30% No 20% 15% 53% 9% 9% 10% 6% 0% Small Lake drill Own Open River river well pond well

Figure 14. Water Access for Wet-rice and Source of Water.

Past and Future Climate from Far- When cultivating rice, 94 mers Perspective percent of farmers indicated they Temperature: looked at temperatures from the The research findings reveal previous five years, with 80 percent that all farmers from both com- estimating future temperatures for the munities have noticed changes in one to five years in the future. This temperature for affecting rice means that, farmers base decisions on cultivation within the last 20 years. their experience in the cultivation of Respondents mentioned that the rice and observations of tempera- temperature had become noticeably tures. hotter during the last 20 years, and In both communities, 83 that temperature is increasing from percent of the farmers estimated that year to year. They provided evidence temperatures would increase over the that this year, in 2015, the next five years, 10 years, 20 years or temperature had increased and they 30 years. This is also a sign of their had not started the growing rice, as concerns regarding the future of rice would be normal practice. Rice is growing (Figure 15). While it must normally planted in May, but due to be noted that this is only the the temperature change at the time of predictions of farmers and they the interviews, in July they were not cannot attest to its veracity, the yet able to begin growing rice. majority of the farmers believed that

16 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016 temperatures would increase within mentioned the temperature would those years and only 3 percent decrease.

Future Prediction on Temperature within 5/10/20/30 years

2% 3% 12%

Increase temperature Decrease in temperature Nothing change Can't estimate 83% n=100

Figure 15. Future Predictions on Temperature from Farmers‟ Perspectives.

Precipitation: percent responded that they could not The research finds that all estimate future rainfall. farmers from both the communities Based on the farmers ex- have noticed changing rainfall perience in the cultivation of rice and patterns affecting the cultivation of their local predictions, 65 percent rice within the last 20 years. They stressed that rainfall levels would noticed a decrease in the rainfall decreased in five, ten, twenty or thirty resulting in drier conditions within years. This will change the rice the last 20 years. They also provided growing calendar and the farmers evidence that this year, the rainfall is will face challenges. Only 22 percent delayed. Rainfall levels are felt they could not estimate future decreasing and for example in this rainfall patterns because the changes year of 2015, they not started the are unpredictable. cultivation of rice cultivation. Normally, they start growing rice in Impact of Climate Change on Rice May, but due to the variation of Cultivation rainfall at the time of interviews in From the research findings, July, they still could not begin to farmers have already experienced the grow rice. 93 percent of the farmers impacts of flood, drought, pest and indicated that they used the past five disease on their rice cultivation. More years or less to plan their next crop of than 79 percent mentioned impacts rice. In addition, 73 percent predict from those climate hazards, while rainfall patterns from one to five less than 21 percent years into the future. However, 26

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Impact of Climate Change on Rice 100% 94% 84% 90% 79% 78% 80% 70% 60% 50% Yes No 40% 30% 21% 22%

Percentage(%) 16% 20% 6% 10% 0% Impacted by Impacted by Impacted by Impacted by flood drought pest outbreak disease n=100

Figure 16. Impact of Climate Change on Rice Cultivation.

Farmers observed that they however a drought followed da- had experienced climate hazards and maging the rice. The farmers also had been impacted, on average, by stated the same circumstances flood seven times in 20 years, by occurred in 2015. During the time of drought six times in 20 years, by interviews were being conducted, pests 16 times in 20 years, and by the some farmers had already twice outbreak of disease 15 times in 20 planted rice only to have it damaged years. The month of occurrence is not by severe drought, causing increased the same, however, farmers indicated expenditures on rice seed. Damage that floods occurred most frequently due to disease and pests, on the other in September. Droughts seemed to hand, occurred year round, with its occur in different months. The magnitude dependent on the variety intensity and duration of rainfall of rice and the climate. varies. As previously mentioned, the Rice Management farmers stated that due to changes in The respondents clearly the rainfall patterns they were not yet stressed that the management of rice able to grow rice at the time of the farming plays an important role in interviews in the month of June. The their livelihoods. Most farmers duration of the drought was longer described managing rice yields than normal, resulting in damage to through the use of pesticides and some of the rice crops that would regularly checking the growth of the have to be replanted when the rains rice. Both communities reported high began. This indicates that the farmers levels of pesticide use to control planted rice after a first rain in May; aquatic animals such as crabs or

18 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016 snails. For instance in the last three followed by Koun Srov, Kro Sang years, farmers were faced with an Teap, Banla Ppdoa, Srov Ouk outbreak of the golden apple snail (traditional varieties of seeds). IR 66 (Pomaceacanaliculata), and the was a variety of seed that the pesticide used to control it was government of Cambodia introduced costly. Without the use of pesticides, to farmers. However, it had special farmers reported that yields were too characteristics that made it low, and insufficient for household susceptible to brownplant hopper, consumption and market demand. flood and drought but it is tolerant to In addition to high rates of the strip stem borer. pesticide use, high rates of chemical IR 66 appears to be highly fertilizer were reported due to the low used in the past, but currently the fertility of the soil. Farmers reported farmers have switched to other the usage of natural fertilizer only at varieties. Currently, Nambong (a a very low rate. Vietnamese variety) is very popular Water management was in the target areas. It is short-term important to the farmers, and they rice variety, with a harvest time of checked regularly- every one or two with less than three months. The weeks. For minor flooding there was main reasons the farmers chose this drainage to control it, however for variety is because of the very short- more serious flooding there was no term growth period, a high yield, and solution. However, farmers could market demand. However, this replant after the water receded. variety is not tolerant of pest or In the case of drought, the disease, and farmers have to use high farmers with wells, pond, or whose of levels of pesticide and chemical fields were close to a water source, fertilizer to increase the yield. had opportunity to save their rice Farmers still invest in this variety of field. Farmers who depend on rainfall seed because their markets depend on are vulnerable to drought. As the demand of the Vietnamese market previously mentioned, farmers will and traders. replant after the damages caused by a serious drought if it is early enough Adaptive Capacity in the season. According to the The adaptive capacity of the findings, in both communities only farmers for cultivation indicated that: 50 percent of farmers have enough Infrastructure: For the last money in reserve to replant, while three years, the Cheung Phnum the other 50 percent do not the community has irrigation infrastruc- financial resources to handle climate ture from Chinese investment. hazards. However, farmers have to pay to use Table 13 indicates that in the this water supply, and the research past IR 66 was the most popular rice finding show that only 33 percent can seed that farmers chose to cultivate, access the water supply. 53 percent 19 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016 of the farmers are still dependent on Long-Term Adaptation to Climate arrival of rainfall because they are Change located too far from the water source Adaptation to Flood: and have no access to the irrigation. From their experiences of Rakschey, however, still has a weak floods, farmers have switched to irrigation system. using a short-term variety of rice Economic: Farmers are which can allow them to harvest prior mainly reliant on the cultivation of to the arrival of a flood or to re-grow rice for their livelihood, which after the flood recedes. Their rice increases vulnerability to extreme growing techniques have already events. While some farmers have been altered in response to climate one more than one job, other hazards by a switch from employment is small scale and results transplanting to rice broadcasting. If in little benefit to their family. the timing of the flood changes, they Technology: Almost every cope by harvesting the rice before the household from both of the arrival of water if they receive early communities had access to electricity warning, and the growing period has and owned either a television or also been shifted to cope with radio; however the access to flooding. information through those media is still very low. From the observations Adaptation to Drought: of the researcher, the farmers gained There appeared to be different information mainly by word of types of adaptation in response to mouth. The early warning system in drought, most farmers used short-rice the communities is not widespread, rice varieties and dug wells. From and sometimes news about climate observation, the farmers were aware hazards is received very late. of the adaption strategies for drought Social capital: Every house- such as digging a pond or well, but hold is involved in social activities were faced with financial constraints. and has connections with other Farmers with a large holding of rice people. In the event of climate land with plots that were not far from hazards, the farmers could get each other started to invest in drilling assistance from relatives, and rice wells. However, farmers without the management techniques were shared financial means and with a very small between contacts. holding of land did not have capacity Human: Every farmer had a to dig ponds or drill wells. Even strong background and experience in respondents that did not actually the cultivation of rice. However, they provide the answer of changing to use had attained only a very low level of a short-term rice seed, indicated education, which made it difficult to through other communications or access new farming techniques or complaints that they had switched to information. using a short-term variety of rice, 20 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016 changed the crop calendar and/or increase of 0.46 oC by 2030 and 1.19 switched from transplanting to oC by 2050. broadcasting. The impact of climate change includes floods, droughts, pest and disease outbreak, have already been CONCLUSION AND RECOM- occurring in the target area of the MENDATIONS research site and it is clear that the The Prey Veng province has communities are already being an average annual rainfall of impacted by climate change. The 1421.116 mm, while the PRECIS timing, duration and intensity of climate model SRESA2 average climate hazards are changing and rainfall is 1574.70 mm and SRESB2 have already impacted the cultivation is 1583.13 mm in the period of 1984 of rice for the last 20 years. to 2014. According to the rainfall Additionally, farmers in the research projection using climate scenario area are aware of climate change and SRESA2, rainfall could decrease by they also understood the drivers of it 97.504 mm and increase by 41.51 as well with their lengthy experience mm by the year 2050. of growing rice but their background The annual maximum tem- level of education is very low which perature in Prey Veng province is has a negative effect on the ability to 33.02 oC, and according to the assess the new information, and learn climate scenario SRESA2 the mean new coping strategies and techniques maximum temperature is 35.56 oC, to deal with the challenges of climate while the SRESB2 average is 35.60 change. oC, in the period of 1997 to 2014. By Research finding showed that 2030, scenario SRESA2 projected rice is affected by high temperature that the maximum temperature could increase and changing patterns of increase 0.60 oC by 2030 and 1.12oC rainfall as a result of climate change. by 2050, and for SRESB2 it could Farmers who are dependent mainly increase 0.41 oC by 2030 and 1.32 oC on rainfall and with a very small land by 2050. holding are highly vulnerable to the The mean annual minimum impact of climate change; rice temperature is 23.55 oC. Scenario farming constitutes the back-bone of SRESA2 reveals a mean minimum the household as well their temperature of 25.90 oC, while SRES livelihood. In addition to the B2 of 25.88 oC in the last 18 years. negative impacts on livelihood, the The SRESA2 projection of minimum effects of climate change will lead to temperature showed an increase 0.46 a decline in production of one of the oC by 2030 an increase 1.03 oC by dominant crops in the Cambodian 2050. For SRESB2 the minimum economy. temperature shows a potential In order to improve rice yields, farmers have autonomously 21 Volume 4 Number 2, July 2016 changed their rice cultivation prac- From the findings of this tices and techniques. These make research, the following recommend- them better adapted to cope with dations provided to national, sub- climate hazards. Usage of short-term national, and local level as well as rice varieties, changing the crop relevant NGOs: calendar, and usage of chemical . Strengthen the national early fertilizers and pesticides are already warning system and advertise strategies the selected respondents information widely, including have chosen to cope with the effects through social media, of climate change. Every respondent television and radio. had changed their planting methods . Develop a quick and effective from rice transplanting to rice system at the local level for broadcasting. Additionally, when the delivery of key messages they had the financial resources they to farmers, especially to warn invested in digging ponds and drilling of an impending flood. wells to cope with flood and drought. . Improve administrative mana- However, this left farmers without gement through the collection the financial resources to invest in of all data on the impact of these coping strategies vulnerable to climate change on rice shock. cultivation, and climate data From the perspective of the to track and monitor climate farmers, and based on their exper- change trends. ience, an increase in temperatures in . Work closely with the various the next five to 30 years with a line ministries to address the decrease in rainfall is expected to climate change impacts affect the cultivation of rice. Some of . Provide financial support to the farmers in Cheung Phnum could the sub-national government access irrigation systems, but they bodies to run activities such as will still face the increasing the the provision of training for demand for water supply and an farmers to use different rice associated increasing cost. seed varieties, to monitor During the course of the farmers, and do the activities interviews for this research, the rice on-site to show the farmers. fields of the farmers had already been . Provide capacity building to damaged by a severe drought this the sub-national government season, and the farmers had already bodies. begun to broadcast rice again. . More fully explore the Climate change is a national constraints that are facing issue, and the farmers alone cannot farmers in adapting to climate not adapt to this situation without change and take remedial external support. actions.

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. At the local/community level, BIBLIOGRAPHY farmers should call attention Australian Centre for International to the challenges they are Agricultural Research facing and request help from (ACIAR). (2009). Develop- experts, and including the ing Research Options to request of access to new Mainstream Climate Adap- technology and capacity tation into Farming Systems enhancement. in Cambodia, Laos, Bang- . NGOs have an important role ladesh and India. ACIAR: to play through the provision Canberra. of technical and financial The Emergency Capacity Building support for vulnerable groups, (ECB) & Assessment and building the capacity of Capacities Project (ACAPS). farmers in particular. (2011). Secondary Data

Review: Cambodia: 20.10. Non-climatic drivers also need to be 2011-26.10.2011. Assessm- taken into consideration. Respondents net Capacities Project. from the target areas faced with two Intergovernmental Panel for Climate main constraints climate change and Change (IPCC). (2014). market demand. Relevant institutions Summary for policymakers. should assist farmers to find solutions In: Climate Change 2014: to these challenges by exploring fair Impacts, Adaptation, and market prices and offering assistance Vulnerability. Part A: Global with the effects of climate change. and Sectoral Aspects. Contri- These two main issues are inter- bution of Working Group II linked and remedial actions must be to the Fifth Assessment considered together. Report of the Intergovern- mental Panel on Climate Seeds Tolerant to Climate Change. (M. D. M. [Field, Change and Market Demand C.B., V.R. Barros, D.J. It is important to consider the Dokken, K.J. Mach, S. M. non-climatic drivers of change as T.E. Bilir, M. Chatterjee, well. In order for farmers to success- K.L. Ebi, Y.O. Estrada, R.C. fully cope with climate change, there Genova, B. Girma, E.S. must also be a market demand for the Kissel, A.N. Levy, &and L. seed varieties that are tolerant to the L. W. (eds. ). P.R. Mastran- effects of climate change. drea, Eds.). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 1-32.

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Iran, Ramage; Pann, Sakda, Eng, S. Ros, Bansok; Nang, Phirun; Chhim, (2003). Disaster Prepared- C. (2011). Agricultural ness Action Planning in Prey Development and Climate Veng. Change : The Case of Mainuddin, M., C.T. Hoanh, K. Cambodia. Jirayoot, A.S. Halls, M. Thomas, T. S., Bansok, R., & Chiang, Kirby, G. L. and V. S. C. (2013). Cambodian (2010). No TitleAdaptation Agriculture Adaptation to Options to Reduce the Climate Change Impact, Vulnerability of Mekong (August). Water Resources, Food Turner II, B.L., Kasperson, R.E., Security and the Environ- Matson, P.A., McCarthy, ment to Impacts of J.J., C., R.W., Christensen, Development and Climate L., Eckley, N., Kasperson, Change. CSIRO: Canberra. J.X., Luers, A., & Martello, Ministry of Environment (MoE). M.L., Polsky, C., Pulsipher, (2002). Cambodia’s Initial A., Schiller, A. (2003). A National Communication framework for vulnerability under the United Nations analysis in sustainability Framework Convention on science. Proceedings of the Climate Change. Phnom National Academy of Penh. Sciences of the United States Ministry of Environment (MoE). of America 100, 8074–8079. (2006). National Adaptation United Nations Framework Conven- Programme of Action to tion on Climate Change Climate Change (NAPA). (UNFCCC). (2007). Climate , (October). Change: Impacts, Vulner- Ministry of Environmnet (MoE). abilities and Adaptation in (2011). Climate change and Developing Countries. Unit- agriculture. Phnom Penh. ed Nations Framework NGO Forum. (2014). Farm Convention on Climate Conservation and Sustain- Change, 68. Retrieved from able Use of Cereals Diversity http://unfccc.int/resource/doc Throught Participatory Plant s/publications/impacts.pdf Breeding and Securing Local World Bank. (2009). Poverty profile Seed Systems in Climate and trends in Cambodia: Vulnerable Provinces of findings from the 2007 Cambodia. Cambodia Socio-Economic Royal Government of Cambodia Survey (CSES). RGC. (2013). Cambodia climate change strategic plan 2014 – 2023. 24