Exploring Vietnamese cereal smallholders’ perceptions and adaptations to temperature and precipitation variability: implications for adaptation strategies

Abstract

ABSTRACT In order to foster the adoption of temperature and precipitation variability (TPV) adapting practices by smallholders, it is essential to comprehend their views of TPV. However, few empirical studies have investigated how smallholders perceive TPV in Vietnam. This study investigates smallholders’ attitudes towards TPV and their adapting practices in South Central Vietnam. A random sampling strategy was used to select 250 cereal smallholders for interviews and a structured questionnaire was developed to collect data. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were used. The study results show that smallholders had experienced TPV. They perceived that TPV have increased farming losses, labour costs in cereal fields, the costs of pest/weed control, the costs of water management, and the application rate of chemical inputs. The smallholders were adopting traditional adapting methods to reduce unexpected impacts of TPV on their cereal-based farming systems. Key adapting methods identified include: (1) dredging and restoration of irrigation canals; (2) planting of drought resistant cereal varieties; (3) usage of wells and water pumps for irrigation; and (4) early planting. A statistically significant relationship, existing between the cereal smallholders’ perceptions of TPV and their education level (Pearson = 0.152, p = 0.016), income (Pearson = 0.108, p = 0.088), farm size (Pearson = 0.196; p = 0.002), gender (Eta = 0.184, p = 0.004), agricultural practices (Eta = 0.246, p = 0.000), information and communication technology own (Eta = 0.151, p = 0.017), training participation (Eta = 0.235, p = 0.000), and community-based organisation participation (Eta = 0.147, p = 0.020).