Weather variability and rice-based farmers’ adaptation practices in Myinmu Township, Sagaing Region, Myanmar

Abstract

The negative impacts of weather variability are being felt, especially in developing countries such as Myanmar. Its Central Dry Zone (CDZ) experiences long dry months and uneven annual rainfall distribution. This study sought to understand weather variability as perceived by farmers in Myinmu Township and determine their corresponding adaptation practices. Secondary data from the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), focus group discussions, and key informant interviews supplemented the survey results conducted among 150 randomly selected farmers. Secondary data revealed that the rainfall pattern in Myinmu Township fluctuated between 1985 and 2019, resulting in an unstable distribution pattern. Survey results show that farmers perceived drier weather as more than half of the respondents reported prolonged dry spells, delayed rainfall, an increase in summer temperature, and a decrease in average rainfall. Drought and flood were identified as the most common weather events and the effects of these events were dominant on crop production. On the other hand, most respondents reported a moderate reduction in crop production and farm income as a result of drought and flood. This moderate effect may be attributed to the farmers’ adaptation practices which included crop rotation, modifying planting methods, installing pumps to irrigate farms, and intercropping.