Final Technical Report - weADAPT

The adaptation strategy tends to link closely to the socio-economic condition of
each country. In Thailand, where the urban economy provides opportunity for large
number of labor force, transportation is easily accessible, lack of natural ecosystem to
rely on for food security as well as to provide products to substitute the loss of income;
has led the vulnerable farmer to take the option to do seasonal migration to the city as the
most popular choice. However, in case of Lao PDR, farmer tends to fall back on natural
eco-system to sustain their livelihood. This also due to the urban economy is smaller size,
in addition, the natural ecosystem is still very much intact and population density is low,
therefore, they can harvest natural product to compensate the lost of household income
and also to use the harvested product as supplement source of food too. The Viet Nam
framer tends to develop on-farm adaptation, e.g. adjusting farming technique, to cope
with impact from climate on their rice production.
6.4 Conclusion
Farmers of the lower Mekong River basin are exposed to a variety of climate
hazards that threaten their livelihoods, food security and wellbeing. Those who cultivate
rain-fed rice as a primary source of food or income are particularly vulnerable to climate
variations such as prolonged dry spells during the growing season and flooding at the end
of the season prior to harvest, events that are common in the current climate. Human
induced climate change is expected to bring greater and possibly more intense rainfall to
the region, which would increase flood risks to farmers.
Rice farmers are experienced in managing climate risks and employ a variety of
measures to reduce their vulnerability that are highly place and time specific. The
measures used differ according to the specific climate hazards faced, physical and
environmental constraints, available technologies, social and economic condition of the
farm household and community, vitality of community institutions, degree of engagement
in the market economy, market conditions, and the priorities and objectives of the farm
households. Results from surveys of farmers in selected communities of Lao PDR,
Thailand and Vietnam suggest a pattern that is shaped by the socio-economic condition
of their surrounding community. Farmers in communities with less developed socioeconomic
conditions tends to pursue simple strategies targeted at increasing coping
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