Abstract:
Climate change impacts rice cultivation in the Ampara district, negatively impacting
agricultural productivity. However, climate change adaptation techniques are applicable in
farming practices that can mitigate this negative impact. Therefore, this study was
conducted to investigate the factors affecting climate change adaptation practices among
paddy farmers in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka. A questionnaire survey was conducted
among randomly selected 300 paddy farmers in the Ampara district, and data were analyzed
using SPSS statistical software of version 25. Results revealed that 22% and 77.9% of
respondents’ main and secondary occupation was paddy farming, respectively. Half of them
have completed secondary education, while 22% were degree holders. Furthermore, 98% of
farmers do not use any Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related
equipment and application for paddy farming. Among the farmers surveyed, 40% felt that
pursuing new adaptation practices, including following the SRI method and using ICT
related techniques without experience, is an extra burden and risk to farming practices.
However, 80% of farmers believe that practicing adaptive climate measures can mitigate the
negative effect of climate change. Nearly 96% of farmers do not get any information or
guidance from the relevant organizations related to climate change for the last five years.
However, farmers have faced difficulties in adopting the Ampara district's climate practices
due to lack of awareness, poor educational level, and extension services. Therefore, these
limitations could be the priority areas to focus on to improve climate change adaptation
among the paddy farmers in the Ampara district.
