The impact of climate change on food security among farmers in a coastal Area of Cambodia: a case study in Banteay Meas District, Kampot Province.

Abstract

Climate change-related disasters, such as floods, droughts, windstorms, and heat waves have emerged as a severe threat in the 21st century. Different countries experience different scales of both physical and perceived damage. This paper examines farmer perceptions of climate change impacts on rice production and introduces an appropriate mechanism to build adaptive capacity at the local level. This research is based on a survey of 215 respondents from two communes in Banteay Meas District, Kampot Province. The results demonstrate that food insecurity has been a frequently perceived impact among farmers over the past decade. Farmers in Tnoat Chong Srang have faced transitory food insecurity after natural calamities such as floods, storm surges, droughts, and seawater intrusion. Farmers in Banteay Meas Khang Kaeut have encountered chronic food insecurity and poverty caused by reduced rice production caused by floods, windstorms, and increasing seawater intrusion. The research found that local adaptation strategies for climatic hazards can increase food security. In addition, all key stakeholders, both at the national and local levels, should take more action to ensure the resilience of rural communities. These actions should apply sustainable agricultural development focused on irrigation infrastructure, drought-tolerant rice varieties, social safety nets, and community-based projects selected by villagers. To successfully implement these actions policymakers and planners need to be able to clearly distinguish between chronic and transitory food insecurity.