Rice farmers adapting to drought in the Philippines

Abstract

Drought, which is expected to occur more frequently under the climate change regime, is a major challenge in rice cultivation. This paper aims to unpack the decision-making processes of rice farmers when faced with drought. The study was conducted in two drought-prone rice-farming communities in the Philippines, with 87 rice farmers as the main participants. A range of qualitative methods including in-depth interviews, focus groups, and windshield surveys were used to collect data. The study combined insights from Protection Motivation Theory and the Social Identity Approach in interpreting the findings. Past experiences of farmers of natural disasters influence their perception that drought is real and that they should take action. Farmers employ adaptive mechanisms that they have easy access to. If there are issues securing an adaptive mechanism, decision-making gravitates around farmers’ commitment to their social identity as rice farmers. Those who are strongly committed to their rice farmer identity will find ways to continue cultivating rice no matter what. Those who are not strongly committed to their identity as rice farmers may leave rice farming if they find it to be infeasible because of drought.

Keywords

• social identity
• drought adaptation
• rice farmers
• protection motivation theory
• decision-making processes