Climate Change Awareness and Farming Adaptation Practices among Rice Farmers in Surallah, Philippines

Abstract

The increasing unpredictability of climate patterns has made rice farming more vulnerable, particularly in developing countries like the Philippines where smallholder farmers dominate the agricultural landscape. This study examined the level of climate change awareness and the extent of adaptation practices among upland and lowland rice farmers in the Municipality of Surallah, South Cotabato. A quantitative descriptive-comparative approach was employed using a total enumeration of 74 respondents—34 from upland areas and 40 from lowland zones. Data were gathered through adapted and validated survey instruments, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests. Findings revealed that upland farmers were generally less aware of climate change compared to their lowland counterparts. Likewise, adaptation practices were more frequently applied in the lowland context. Significant differences were observed in both awareness and adaptation practices between the two groups. These results suggest the need to strengthen localized information campaigns and ensure that adaptation resources reach farmers in more geographically isolated areas. This study contributes to local-level planning and reinforces the importance of differentiated support based on geographical and socioeconomic conditions.