Desktop Study on - Regional Climate Change Adaptation ...

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<strong>Desktop</strong> <strong>Study</strong> natural variability of climate change. The estimates should not use average figure but rather reflect changes in extremes such as highest water levels, since the seasonal and inter-annual water regime in the Mekong floodplains and the Tônlé Sap highly varies. The Tônlé Sap flood pulse system is viewed critical for sustaining the high aquatic production of the lake, and now several different factors poses a risk on chaning the dynamics of the system. Climate change is just one of these changing factors that affect the TônléSap, and there exist many other determinant factors including upstream hydropower development and local developments within the TônléSap Basin such as large-scale irrigation projects. This strongly indicates a need for more holistic approach where the impacts to the lake system at different temporal and spatial scales are assessed comprehensively. In considering the abovementioned changing factors on flood pulse system, it is also important to reflect on not only environmental, but also social economic, institutional and political factors that could cause environmental or ecological changes. Non-environmental factors are indeed likely to be much more crucial in both shorter and longer term. The different timescales of impacts from both climatic and non-climatic factors such as hydropower development are also essential for the impact assessment. There is also lack of knowledge that supports an appropriate operational scheme such as real-time information about rainfall and water level, flood forecasts in the wet season (Watt, 2009 cited in Solar, 2009). Similarly, the drought management study of Kyoto University identifies the most significant deficiencies: the absence of reliable drought-forecasting mechanisms, the lack of a clear definition of drought, and the lack of a consistent response mechanism. It is suggested to map the existing capacities of communities and undertake a long-term capacity-building programme. It is also indicated that there is a need for inclusive policymaking process in which communities, governments and NGOs jointly make a policy for drought risk reduction. Community involvement is essential in designing and implementing drought adaptation practices at the local level. In addition, as the study on the assessment of Mekong Basin water resource reveals, not much research and evaluation of the groundwater resources of the Mekong Basin have been conducted, including the volume, discharge/recharge rate and different use of groundwater and sources, distribution and impacts of groundwater contamination (Eastham et al., 2008). This causes difficulty in quantifying climate change effects on the water sector, leading to generation of water-borne diseases as well as unsustainable management of water demand and supply. Agriculture and Food Security Sector Range of Studies Reviewed and Methods Applied Cambodia’s agricultural sector is affected by climate change. The agricultural productivity, for example, heavily relies on the flooding and recession of the Tônlé Sap Lake and the Mekong River, which brings fertile alluviums to the central plains (Royal Government of Cambodia, 2006). This section demonstrates the positive impacts of climate change on the agricultural productivity, vulnerability of and potential threats to the agricultural sector, institutional responses to vulnerability (NAPA), and several key adaptation strategies implemented by the government and non-governmental organisations. The potential impacts of climate change in the agricultural sector at the year 2030 were indicated under the most likely climate conditions for 2030 assessed based on the output of 11 GCMs (Eastham et al., 2008). The study on assessment of climate change impacts on crop yield was conducted by using the FAO’s AquaCrop model (Roth, 2009). Impacts on the Agriculture and Food Security Sector Eastham et al. (2008) summarises potential impacts of climate change at the year 2030 on catchments of the Mekong Basin in Cambodia with spatial analysis of five regions: Se San (north-east), Kratie (central), Tônlé Sap (central), Phnom Penh (south-eastern) and Border (southern) (Roth, 2009). According to this study, the above-mentioned first three areas will experience increase in agricultural productivity and food availability in excess of demand decreased, although the minimum agricultural area in the Tônlé Sap may increase. Building on the work by Eastham et al. (2008), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the 112
Assessment of Capacity Gaps and Needs of South East Asia Countries in Addressing Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Variability and Climate Change International Water Management Institute (IWMI) are currently investigating impacts of climate change on crop yield at a finer spatial scale (Roth, 2009). The preliminary result shows that crop yields are predicted to increase than decrease in most of the areas. Furthermore, it would provide benefits to drier agricultural lands if precipitation during the wet season increases, especially along with reduction in frequency and duration of droughts within the season (Roth, 2009). Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Agriculture and Food Security Sector As much as climate change impacts can potentially offer opportunities, it also adds threats to the country’s agricultural sector and food security, depending on characteristics of impacts, geographical areas and seasons. Paddy cultivation is mainly determined by flood and rainfall patterns. Increase in flooding in wetter areas may generate a risk of preventing rice cropping in low-lying areas if they are frequently flooded. In other words, the shortcoming of expanded irrigation and water harvesting schemes in Cambodia makes the agricultural sector vulnerable to the climate change effects. The followings are examples of current adaptation strategies practiced at the national and local levels as a response to their vulnerability, which can be categorised into four adaptation schemes: decentralisation of irrigation management to communities, adaption of agricultural practices to changing climatic condition, planning for disaster reduction, promotion of information exchanges. Decentralization of irrigation management to communities The RGC and IWMI have implemented a project to transfer operation and maintenance of small scale irrigation systems to communities through the creation of water user committees (IWMI, 2008). This project aims at increasing agricultural productivity and improving farmers’ incomes through enabling farmers to take over the management of their irrigation systems. The IWMI has assisted in capacity building of the government to adopt and implement the participatory irrigation management and development in 11 pilot irrigation systems whereby water user committees has been formed and served various levels of functionality. Adaption of agricultural practices to changing climatic condition The Cambodian Center for <strong>Study</strong> and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC) has experimented methodologies on growing vegetables all year around that reflect changing environments of wind, rain and water logging. CEDAC has also introduced the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which is a method of rice farming that focuses on organic farming practices, such as use of composting under tilling rice husk and seed selection (Solar, 2009). Similar to the concept of small-scale organic farming, is another initiative of the SRI that features the transplant young seedlings singly and widely spaced. International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) has encouraged farmers to apply SRI that is managed in the processes of a) drainage of rice paddies, b) watering the seedlings by hand if there is no rain to keep the soil moist, c) minimum irrigation; and d) early weeding (IFAP, 2009). It is reported that one of the main drivers for farmers to adopt the SRI is that the yield is higher than the one from the traditional practice and that the SRI requires less seeds. The Development Partnership in Action (DPA) has assisted communities in adaptation of rice with a more resilient trait (Van Aalst, M. K., T. Cannon, and I. Burton, 2008 cited in Solar, 2009). At the household and individual level, the following adaptation measures have been observed: building of elevated enclosure for livestock, increasing household food stock as well as feedstock for animals, shifting crop planting dates and switching to flood-resistant crop varieties (Royal Government of Cambodia, 2005 cited in Resurreccion et al., 2008). Planning for disaster reduction The DPA has encouraged communities to develop a plan to reduce vulnerability to sadden disasters such as crop loss (Van Aalst, M. K., T. Cannon, and I. Burton, 2008 cited in Solar, 2009). This risk management oriented adaptation seems to have been already practiced at the local scale. The study conducted by Resurreccion et al. (2008) indicates that the rainfed rice farmers in Kandal province respond to increasingly unpredictable rainfall through dividing their rice plots into two- one half for employing conventional wet-paddy rice techniques that are resistant to heavy precipitation and the other half for adopting a system of rice intensification, which is a cultivation technique resistant to drought. Promotion of information exchanges The CEDAC has facilitated farmers to participate in climate change adaptation networks and nationallevel forums so that farmers gain information generated at the national and global levels. The National Fund for Farmer Research and Farmer to Farmer Extension is one example of information exchange venue to involve the farmer in local 113
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RESEARCH SYNTHESIS ON INDONESIA 69
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DPA DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP IN ACTI
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There are several good initiatives
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Conclusion This study takes precede
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Assessment of Capacity Gaps and Nee
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Lao PDR has a tropical climate domi
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