Risk perceptions, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change at farm level across four agricultural zones in Seychelles

Abstract

This study assesses climate-related risks, vulnerabilities and adaptation measures of 140 randomly selected farm households across four agricultural zones on Mahe, the largest of the Seychelles islands. Applying the composite index approach, which is based on twenty-five indicators, this study measures the three dimensions of vulnerability: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Perceptions of climate-related risks and adaptation actions implemented by farm households were analyzed using descriptive statistics in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20. The majority of farmers indicated that winter temperatures (70.8%), strong winds (64.3%) and frequency of drought episodes (56.4%) have increased during the last 10 to 20 years, including severe damage on crops and farmlands caused by pest and soil erosion (61.4%). While farmers in the four agricultural zones face similar vulnerabilities across the three components, the level of intensity showed some variation. For example, farmers in agricultural zone West 1 were more exposed and vulnerable to temperature variability and saltwater intrusion, while those in the North agricultural zone suffered from rainfall variability and frequency of windstorms. Farmers in the North had greater adaptive capacity even though this group of farmers had the least access to fertilizers and pesticides. Crop diversification, changing of planting dates, planting of trees and lemon grass, use of shade houses for pest control and the development of agro-silvo-pastoral systems were identified as farm-level adaptation measures. However, land tenure issues, lack of finance, limited farm resources, insufficient information, etc. were identified as obstacles to effective adaptation among farm households. Addressing these constraints through a holistic approach has the potential to improve farm-level adaptation.