CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS AND ADAPTATIONS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR: 2019 SURVEY OF FARMERS’ PERCEPTIONS IN JOSO CITY, IBARAKI

Abstract

 The present paper examines farmers’ perceptions of climate change and their current and potential future measures for adaptation. We conducted a questionnaire survey for farmers in Joso city, Ibaraki prefecture in December 2019 and examined climate change impacts and the farmers’ adaptations using both statistical and geographical analyses.

 It was found that 1) more than 80% of respondents had experienced some damages due to climate change, such as decreased yield, poor growth, and an increase in insect pests; 2) their current adaptations included water treatment and the use of agrochemicals including pesticides; and 3) potential future adaptations included changing the cultivars, the type of crop, and the crop calendar. In addition, factors affecting adaptive behaviors included experiences of damages due to climate change, awareness of climate change, and knowledge of measures for adaptation.