Livelihoods Of Farming Households Research Articles

Exploring the village tank cascade systems (VTCSs) in Vavuniya district, Sri Lanka

Abstract An attempt was made to identify, validate the village tank cascade systems (VTCSs) and study the water flow from one village tank to another in each VTCS in the eight Agrarian Service Centre (ASC) divisions in the Vavuniya district from October 2017 to December 2018. VTCS contribute a significant share of available water resources for the livelihoods of households in the Vavuniya district. The 1:10,000 topographic map of the Survey Department, satellite images and the digital elevation model were used to identify the cascades and flow direction map for the study area using ArcGIS 10.2.2. Among 756 village tanks in the district, 80 VTCSs comprising 514 village tanks were identified, and only 69 cascades were validated in the field. In addition, this study identified 111 isolated village tanks without connecting with other village tanks and 131 abandoned village tanks. Further investigation is recommended to explore the possibilities of increasing the cascade areas in the study area by connecting isolated tanks with VTCSs. Initiation taken towards rehabilitation of cascades would enhance the livelihood of farm households in the Vavuniya district and lead to sustainable water resource management.

Smallholder farmers’ perceptions and knowledge on climate variability and perceived effects in vulnerable rural communities in the Offinso Municipality, Ghana

The study examines the perspectives of smallholder farmers in climate variability and the perceived effect on rural agricultural activities in vulnerable communities in the Offinso Municipality of southern Ghana. The farmers' perspectives on climate variability were assessed using a mixed-method approach involving 300 randomly sampled respondents from 6 selected rural farming communities. The results show that smallholder farmers are perceiving different manifestations of climate variability in their local environment. Respondents had a good knowledge of climate variability which was influenced by their levels of education and farming experience. Respondents perceived climate variability and change to be driven by anthropogenic factors with deforestation as the principal driver in the study communities. The study further reveals that the perceived effects of climate variability, particularly on agricultural systems are multidimensional which affect the sustainability of the livelihoods of farming households in rural communities. In view of the perceived effects of climate variability on agricultural systems and livelihoods, livelihood diversification was the most preferred and prominent adaptation strategy employed by many smallholder farmers. The study suggests the need for robust efforts by local government institutions to strengthen farmers’ resilience against climate variability impacts to generate opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

Support of Desi cows in the daily livelihood of farm households in Karnataka

Desi cows along with crossbred have major contribution in fulfilling the demand of milk by the growing population of India. Achieving food security, nutrition security and income security for the farmers and by the farmers is a priority concern of national and state governments in India. In order to fulfill the national goal of doubling farmers income by 2022, animal husbandry in general and dairy farming in particular are considered as potential activities. In this backdrop, the present study was carried out in six districts of Karnataka based on higher population of desi cows with a sample size of 240 farm households. The study revealed that the sample households had more number of milking desi cows as compared to crossbred cows. Average quantity of green fodder and concentrates fed per animal in case of desi cows was less compared to crossbred cows. Thus, total feed cost and expenditure per animal was less in case of desi cows than crossbred cows. Desi cows required less expenditure on health per day/anim., but the net return per animal, per farm and per liter was less in desi cows due to low productivity as compared to crossbred cows. Crossbred cows supplied more nutrients to farm i.e. NPK kg/year/animal compared to desi cows. However, protein, fat and calcium nourishment per animal to the family was more in case of desi cows as compared to crossbred cows. Employment generation (Man days/year) per animal was more in case of crossbred cows as compared to indigenous cows. Security for uncertainties and status symbol was more in case of crossbred cows as compared to desi cows.

Farmers’ perceptions about changes in climate variables: Perceived risks and household responses in different agro-ecological communities, Southern Ethiopia

Rain-fed dependent farmers in Ethiopia are highly affected by changing climate situations. Thus, this study examines farmers’ perception of climatic change, related risks, and adaptation practices that farmers have adopted to address the adverse pressures on livelihoods and resources in different agro-ecological communities of Gurage zone, Southern Ethiopia. A research approach involving both quantitative and qualitative methods was used. 357 household surveys were conducted with representative households. Statistical differences in selecting adaptation strategies between the agro-ecological communities were measured by employing a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A Post-Hoc analysis was also performed to identify the location of the variance. The study revealed, the majority of the respondents interviewed in different agro-ecological communities had perceived declining precipitation and increased temperature. Similarly, respondents reported that the frequency of extreme events like drought, flood, frost, and storm had increased. A significant difference was found between agro-ecological communities in farm management practices. A Tukey post hoc test revealed that farm management practices were mostly practiced by the lowland and highland (p < 0.005) agro-ecological communities. Therefore, since climate stress coupled with socio-economic and institutional stress has serious implications for farmer’s livelihood sources, a holistic climate change adaptation strategy considering agro-ecological variation is required to sustain farm household livelihood.

Understanding climate-risk coping strategies among farm households: Evidence from five countries in Eastern and Southern Africa

Climate change is having a catastrophic impact on the livelihoods of farm households in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA). This study employs comprehensive data obtained in 2018 from 4351 farm households in five countries to appraise the key climate hazards experienced by farmers, the risk coping methods adopted, and factor influencing the use of these methods. Although droughts, floods, hailstorms, and crop pests/diseases are major climate-induced risks in ESA, droughts are predominant in all these countries. Farm households in ESA have adopted various strategies to address climate risk, which includes changing farming practices, reducing consumption, using savings and borrowing, and seeking new employment. Farming families headed by a female, married, or an elderly member opt to change farming methods and decrease consumption, whereas they are less inclined to look for alternate livelihood options. Farming families with higher livestock endowments commonly use savings or borrow and are unlikely to change farming methods, decrease consumption, and search for alternate employment. Better-off families tend to change farming methods but are unlikely to adopt other risk coping options. Farming families with non-farm livelihood options are unlikely to change farming methods, use savings/borrowings, or decrease consumption, whereas they tend to search for alternate employment. Training on agriculture and economic status are crucial for climate change adaptation in these regions. Findings exhibit substantial differences among the study countries regarding the adoption of coping strategies. Compared to farmers in Kenya, farmers in other countries change agricultural methods to cope with climate shocks. Ethiopian farmers, compared to their Kenyan counterparts, decrease consumption to deal with climate risks, whereas, farmers in Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique are less likely to use this option. Similarly, the likelihood of seeking alternative employment as a risk coping strategy is lower among Ethiopian farmers, while it is higher among the farmers in other countries.

Interplay of Climate Variability, Land Use Change, Crop Yield and Farm Households Food Security in Offin River Basin, Ghana

Climate variability and adapted land use systems have altered climate systems. Their impact on agro-ecosystems adversely affects crop yield, food security and livelihoods of farm households. This paper examines the coupled effects of climate variability and land use change on crop yield and food security among farm households in the Offin River Basin. The study used remote sensing, geographic information systems, time series climate and crop yield data and farm household survey in examining the impacts of climate variability and land use change on crop yield and farm household food security. Landsat Multi-Spectral Scanner (MSS), Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) were used to assess land use and land cover change and agricultural drought conditions in the area. Spline interpolation techniques and Spearmans’ rank correlation were employed to assess the trend and spatial distribution of rainfall and temperatures in the basin. Multiple linear regression model (MLRM) and Pearson correlation were used to assess the effect of rainfall and temperature on major food crop yields. Household Food Balance Model (HFBM) was used to measure food security status at farm household level. The results revealed that climate variability coupled with adapted land use systems in Offin River basin have contributed to massive deforestation, accelerated soil degradation and recurrent agricultural droughts resulting in the loss of productive farmlands and low food crop yields. Household food balance model (HFBM) analysis revealed that 60.8% of the farm households in the basin could not meet the minimum recommended energy level of 2900 kilo calories intake per person per day while 39.2% of farm households were food secured subsisting on more than recommended kilo calories per person per day. Utilization of inland valleys, food crop management practices, soil and water conservation and management technologies, mixed cropping systems and crop diversification were found to have contributed positively and significantly to farm household food security. It is recommended that Government agencies such as MoFA, GASIP and existing Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should increase investment in soil and water conservation strategies (SWCS) and inland valleys food production systems to enhance food production and food security systems among farm households.

АДАПТАЦИЯ ФЕРМЕРСКИХ ХОЗЯЙСТВ РАЗВИВАЮЩИХСЯ СТРАН К ИЗМЕНЕНИЮ КЛИМАТА: ПРИМЕР ЭРИТРЕИ

The impact of climate change on the livelihood of farming households is a great concern particularly in developing countries. Based on a household survey conducted in 2016, in Eritrea, this paper attempts to investigate the adaptation conditions to climate change impacts on smallholder farming household. Several socioeconomic, biophysical and environmental factors affecting their farming system were listed by the respondents, including drought, soil degradation, pests and diseases, poor farm management, poor soil fertility, poor agricultural tools, and poor seed quality. Farming households employed short term coping mechanisms and long term adaption strategies to overcome the problems resulted from climate variability. The households cope up with short term climate variability at the expense of deteriorating their resources or losing their assets temporarily or permanently while they practice a long term adaptation strategy which is more or less in favour of sustaining the resource and preserving the environment. It is, therefore, recommended that policymakers need to encourage sustainable development and work to reduce the negative impact of climate change on farming households by emphasising on both short tern coping mechanisms and long term adaptation strategies.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of On-Farm Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Ghana

Climate change continues to hamper crop-based systems across sub-Sahara Africa. Adaptation strategies prove to be effective at improving production and enhancing livelihoods of farm households. This study employs Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to assess the perceived economic profitability of adopting various on-farm climate change adaptation strategies among farmers in Zabzugu and South Tongu districts in the north and south of Ghana. A simple random sampling approach was used to select 300 farmers who had previously benefited from climate change projects. Major strategies adopted in both districts were: changing of planting dates, planting early maturing varieties, row planting, seed refilling and planting drought tolerant varieties. Adoption intensity was high in Zabzugu district compared to the South Tongu District. Generally, the adoption of each strategy was perceived to be profitable since the estimated average benefits outweighed the average costs. However, the most profitable strategies were strip cropping, repeated sowing, refilling, zero tillage and row planting. Less profitable strategies included land rotation, mixed farming, early planting, tractor ploughing and “A-frame” contour farming. Among others, drought tolerant varieties of rice, maize and soybeans, as well as zero tillage, repeated sowing and strip cropping, should be promoted and farmers encouraged to adopt these practices for enhanced benefits.

Climate-induced conflicts and livelihoods of farming households in Nigeria: lessons from farmers-herdsmen conflict-ridden communities in Benue State

Abstract Helping conflict-affected persons requires an understanding of conflict impacts on their livelihoods. Hence, effects of farmers-herdsmen land-use conflict on livelihoods of farming households in Benue State were investigated. Data were collected from 110 farming households in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas (LGA) using interview schedule and focus group discussion. Most (56.4%) respondents were male, aged 51.6 ± 1.6 years, cultivated 9.14 ± 5.75 acres of farm size and had been involved in farming for 27.7 ± 14.16 years. The majority (&gt;90%) experienced high degree of exposure to conflict incidences such as destruction of properties, homelessness and poor access to market. The respondents indicated a high effect of land-use conflict on farming households’ livelihoods (81.8%) and land availability/use (&gt;50%) following conflict regime induced by climate change. All respondents perceived the anti-open grazing prohibition law as a right step to reducing conflict occurrence. There was no significant difference in the effects of farmers-herdsmen land-use conflict on livelihood of farming households in Guma and Logo LGA (t = 0.051). Farming households were highly vulnerable to the effects of farmers-herders conflict and are supportive of the current local authority’s prohibition of open grazing. A concerted effort involving religious institutions, government and non-governmental organisations including persuasion of herders to consider other options of livestock production such as ranching or settlement scheme would add impetus to the on-going efforts to resolve the conflict.

The nexus of land grabbing and livelihood of farming households in Ghana

This study examined the effects of land grabbing on the livelihood of smallholder farming households in Ghana using the Livelihood Effect Index. A structured questionnaire was administered to 560 randomly selected farming households across six regions of Ghana. Analysis of variance was conducted to determine the significance difference in the effects among farming households in the regions and among the livelihood indicators. The empirical results revealed that land grabbing has a significant negative effect on the livelihood of smallholder farming households. Results of the LEI indicate that financial capacity and natural resource of smallholder farming households are the most affected livelihood indicators for the smallholder farming households due to land grabbing activities. Also, the Brong Ahafo region had the highest LEI (0.61), indicating that it is the most affected region by land grabbing. Intervention programmes in the affected regions should be tailored towards strengthening the financial capacity of farming households to minimize the effect of land grabbing on the livelihoods of the smallholders.

Effects of Large-Scale Land Acquisition on Livelihood Assets in the Pru East District of Ghana

The activities of multi-national companies have affected the livelihood of smallholder farmer in the Pru East, though a lot of research work has been done on large scale land acquisition but this study focus on how it affects livelihood asset of smallholder farmers in the Pru East District. Over the past ten years, the Government of Ghana have leased out large tracts of land for investors, mainly foreign investors. Survey research approach was used for the study. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed and a sample size of 332 households was used for the study. The study used five indicators of the Livelihood Effect Index (LEI) espoused by Downing et al., (2001) to determine the effects of large-scale land acquisition on the livelihood of smallholder farming households. Large scale land acquisition has a significant positive moderate effect on the employment, healthcare and food security but, has a significant negative high effect on income levels of smallholder farming households. However, large scale land acquisition has no significant effect on the nutritional status of farming households in the Pru East district of the Bono East region. Kobre and Kadue communities with an LEI of 0.53 suggests that livelihoods of farming households in these two communities are the most effected with large scale land acquisition. The study also recommends that MMDAs must formulate by-laws to ensure that large scale land investors employ people from the host communities of the projects. Keywords: livelihood asset, large scale land acquisition, smallholder farmer, human capital asset, natural capital asset, financial capital asset, social capital asset. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-2-08 Publication date: February 29 th 2020

A model-based exploration of farm-household livelihood and nutrition indicators to guide nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions

Assessing progress towards healthier people, farms and landscapes through nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) requires transdisciplinary methods with robust models and metrics. Farm-household models could facilitate disentangling the complex agriculture-nutrition nexus, by jointly assessing performance indicators on different farm system components such as farm productivity, farm environmental performance, household nutrition, and livelihoods. We, therefore, applied a farm-household model, FarmDESIGN, expanded to more comprehensively capture household nutrition and production diversity, diet diversity, and nutrient adequacy metrics. We estimated the potential contribution of an NSA intervention targeting the diversification of home gardens, aimed at reducing nutritional gaps and improving livelihoods in rural Vietnam. We addressed three central questions: (1) Do ‘Selected Crops’ (i.e. crops identified in a participatory process) in the intervention contribute to satisfying household dietary requirements?; (2) Does the adoption of Selected Crops contribute to improving household livelihoods (i.e. does it increase leisure time for non-earning activities as well as the dispensable budget)?; and (3) Do the proposed nutrition-related metrics estimate the contribution of home-garden diversification towards satisfying household dietary requirements? Results indicate trade-offs between nutrition and dispensable budget, with limited farm-household configurations leading to jointly improved nutrition and livelihoods. FarmDESIGN facilitated testing the robustness and limitations of commonly used metrics to monitor progress towards NSA. Results indicate that most of the production diversity metrics performed poorly at predicting desirable nutritional outcomes in this modelling study. This study demonstrates that farm-household models can facilitate anticipating the effect (positive or negative) of agricultural interventions on nutrition and the environment, identifying complementary interventions for significant and positive results and helping to foresee the trade-offs that farm-households could face. Furthermore, FarmDESIGN could contribute to identifying agreed-upon and robust metrics for measuring nutritional outcomes at the farm-household level, to allow comparability between contexts and NSA interventions.

Livelihood vulnerability to climate variability and change in different agroecological zones of Gurage Administrative Zone, Ethiopia

IntroductionClimate change and related extreme events are negatively affecting agricultural production where millions of smallholder farmers depend up on it. Ethiopian rain-fed agriculture system is becoming more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Identification of difference in the level of vulnerability of a system is important in selecting appropriate and effective adaption options to climate change. Thus, this study examined the vulnerability of farm household's livelihood to climate variability and change in different agroecological zones of Gurage Zone using the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and Livelihood Vulnerability Index–Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (LVI–IPCC) methods. Data were collected from a representative of 357 sample households across three agroecological zones using a mixture of participatory methods. ResultsResults suggested that although there was difference in components relative value across agroecological zones, the overall LVI indicate that Sodo woreda (District) which is found in the lowland agroecological zone was more vulnerable to climate variability and change. This study found that vulnerability differences were attributable to variations in household characteristics, lack of access to infrastructure, low level of livelihood diversification, and lack of available technologies. ConclusionsTherefore, this study calls for stakeholders to prepare context-specific intervention to reduce smallholder farmer's vulnerability to climate variability and change and strengthen the adaptive capacity of farm households.

Impact of invasive plant species on the livelihoods of farming households: evidence from Parthenium hysterophorus invasion in rural Punjab, Pakistan

Invasive plant species often have negative impacts on agriculture and society in addition to their detrimental effects on biodiversity and environment. It is important to assess such impacts to devise effective management plans. A field survey study was carried out to assess the socio-economic effects of a highly invasive plant species, parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) across the three different cropping regions in Punjab province of Pakistan. The farming communities of different cropping regions reported significant effects of parthenium weed on their crop and livestock production, health and social well-being. The mixed cropping region was heavily infested and most affected region, whereas the cotton–wheat region was least affected. Farmers were well-aware of parthenium weed presence, its biology, habitat, and mode of dispersal across the landscape. All the major crops cultivated were infested by varying degrees of weed densities with potato, sugarcane and maize being the most infested crops. Farmers were generally good at managing the weed in crops which cost them significant amounts of money (ca. $205 per household). Parthenium weed also infested the fodder collection and grazing sites affecting the livestock production negatively. Each farmer lost an additional ca. $935 annually due to the weed infestations on fodder collection sites. A significant proportion of farmers also reported negative effects of the weed on animal health (22–36%) and human health (14–24%). The average annual costs associated with animal health and human health were ca. $2031 and $73 per household, respectively. Despite acknowledging the value of weed management in non-cropped areas, fewer farmers managed it practically in such areas. Most farmers reported parthenium weed as a very difficult-to-manage weed. About 37% of farmers were willing while 60% were likely to participate in a potential management program in future. A comprehensive management strategy is urgently needed to address the looming crisis of parthenium weed invasion across the province and similar approach must be implemented at the national and international level.

Determinants of livelihood diversification among farm households in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study examined the determinants of livelihood diversification of farm households in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of respondents in the study area, identifying the factors influencing farm household livelihood diversification as well as to identify the constraints to farm household livelihood diversification. A multistage sampling technique was used in sampling the respondents. A set of validated questionnaire were used to gather data for the study while a total of 60 respondents were selected. Data were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the majority (60%) were female, aged 20-30years, married (46%) and literate. The majority of them had household size ranging from 4-7 persons, engaged in farming (61.7%) and diversified to non-farm income. The result also revealed that (70%) of the respondents did not have access to credit. The factors influencing livelihood diversification among the farm households were volume of credit received, household size, farm size and marital status.. More so, the major constraints to livelihood diversification among them were unstable electricity (78.3%), poor access to market (65%), insufficient market price of commodity (58.3%), inadequate access to loan (51.7%), inadequate skilled labour (51.7%), high cost of business premises (51.7%) and appreciation in tax rate (51.7%).. The study recommends improved access to credit and strengthening of the credit institutional arrangement to improve the livelihoods of rural households. Keywords: Determinants, Farm, Households, Livelihood, Diversification

Household adaptation address strategy in dealing with the ecological establishment in the expansion of palm plantation in Mamuju Central District, Indonesia

Oil palm plantation expansion occurs massively in several regions in Indonesia, one of them is in Mamuju Tengah Regency. The area of oil palm plantations in 2014 covering 25,220 hectares and in 2016 increased to 45,562 Ha. The impact of the expansion of oil palm plantations is the occurrence of ecological vulnerability that the soil becomes so dry that it is not suitable anymore planted with rice and melted the number of pest populations of rats that attack rice plants so that farmers often experience crop failure. The condition is a pressure that destabilizes the livelihood of farm households in Mamuju Tengah Regency. Agricultural data shows the decrease of harvest area of paddy in Central Mamuju regency since 2012 as wide as 14,276 Ha to 11,189 Ha in 2016. This study aims to find out the adaptation strategy that farmers do in facing the ecological vulnerability behind the expansion of oil palm plantation. Data are analyzed using the DFID sustainability framework that provides an overview of the context of vulnerability, livelihood assets, organizations, structures and policies affecting, livelihood strategies, and livelihood outcomes from communities. The results showed that farmers’ households had several strategies to survive, among others, namely: selling rice fields, converting rice fields into oil palm plantations, giving them land to work on others while doing other work such as collecting grains of fruit bunches or call “brondolan” and grazing cattle.

A Critical Review of Aflatoxin Contamination of Peanuts in Malawi and Zambia: The Past, Present, and Future.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important crop in Malawi and Zambia. The crop is valued for soil improvement in cereal-based cropping systems, for improving the livelihoods of farming households who consume it and also sell it for cash, and for earning foreign exchange when exported. Research and development efforts have resulted in an increase in both peanut production area and productivity. However, a key challenge that still needs to be solved in these countries is how to produce peanuts with acceptable levels of aflatoxin contamination. Data continues to show that aflatoxin continues to be a problem in both formal and informal trade. As a result, unlike 30 years ago, most of the peanut trade has now shifted to domestic and regional markets that do not restrict the sale of aflatoxin-contaminated peanuts. Impacts of aflatoxin contamination on health and also on the full cost burden of control are not well documented. Technologies are available for mitigating against aflatoxin contamination. The advantages, disadvantages, and gaps associated with these technologies are discussed. Considerable money and effort continues to be invested in Malawi and Zambia into mitigating aflatoxin contamination, but evidence of long-term success is limited. Based on past and current initiatives, the prospects of eliminating aflatoxin in the near future at the household level and in trade are not promising.

Influence of the Farmer’s Livelihood Assets on Livelihood Strategies in the Western Mountainous Area, China

The livelihood strategies of farm households depend on the conditions of their assets, and farm households cope with risks and shocks through portfolios consisting of different types of assets. Thus, discussing the relationship between the livelihood assets and the livelihood strategies of farm households helps in understanding their livelihood conditions and in formulating reasonable poverty reduction policies. Taking Zunyi City, which is located in a western, mountainous area of China, as the study region and using the framework of sustainability analysis, this study first tries to establish the mechanism of the influence of farm household livelihood assets on livelihood strategies, then evaluates different farm household livelihood assets by establishing an evaluation index system for them, and finally conducts an empirical analysis on the influence of farm household livelihood assets on livelihood strategies using a multinomial logit model. The research results indicate the following: (1) natural assets and material assets have a significant negative influence on farm households’ choice of livelihood strategies, that is, the more natural assets and material assets that farm households own, the more likely they are to choose livelihood strategies involving engaging in agricultural production; (2) Manpower assets and financial assets have a significant positive influence on farm households’ choice of livelihood strategy, namely, the more manpower assets and financial assets that farm households own, the more likely they are to choose livelihood strategies involving engaging in non-agricultural production; (3) Social assets have no significant influence on farm households’ choice of livelihood strategy.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Farm Household Livelihood Assets in a Western Mountainous Area of China: A Case Study in Zunyi City

As the foundation of farm household structure, livelihood asset status is the basis for farmers to gain opportunities, adopt livelihood strategies, resist livelihood risk, and engage in positive livelihood achievements. Quantifying farm household assets identifies future development trends that are fundamentally necessary to predict farm household vulnerability and strategy, as well as understanding farmers' current living situations. Using Zunyi City in China's western mountainous area as a case study, we conducted stratified sampling and participatory rural investigation appraisal to collect data on the attributes of farm households' livelihood assets and livelihood strategies to establish an index evaluation system and enable evaluation and analysis of farm households with different livelihood strategies. Our research indicates that due to structural differences, total livelihood assets of farm households with different livelihood strategies are similar. Rural households have an abundance of natural and material assets and deficiencies in human, financial and social assets. Non-rural households and part- time households are abundant in human, financial and social assets and deficient in natural and material assets.

Assessment of climate change vulnerability of farm households in Pyapon District, a delta region in Myanmar

Sea level rise causes saltwater intrusion and flooding of agricultural land and ultimately threatens the livelihoods of farm households in the delta region of Myanmar. Empirical research on the effects of climate change on the delta's agriculture and an assessment of the vulnerability are becoming necessary. This study explores the vulnerability of farm households to sea level rise using two methods: the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI), which is comprised of 37 indicators, and the Socioeconomic Vulnerability Index (SeVI), which contains 35 indicators. Interviews with 178 farmers were conducted in Bogale, Pyapon and Dedaye Townships in Pyapon District. In addition, 7 focus group discussions were performed, with at least 2 discussions in each Township. Both methods identify Bogale to be the most vulnerable Township, followed by Dedaye and Pyapon Townships. Following the LVI approach, Bogale Township has the highest sensitivity to climate effects and the highest exposure to natural hazards, but also a higher adaptive capacity than the other townships. In contrast using the SeVI approach, Bogale was found to have the highest sensitivity and exposure to natural hazards but the lowest adaptive capacity score. The study found that the climate change adaptation measures taken by the farmers are important to limit vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and thus promotion of the adaptive capacity of farmers is important for the delta region of Myanmar.