Determinants of Adaptation Strategies against Weather Changes in Cabbage Production in Southern Shan State of Myanmar

Abstract

This study was purposed to determine the influencing factors on adaptation strategies of cabbage farmers; S1-cultural practices, S2-cropping system management, and S3-livelihood diversification against weather variability in Southern Shan State of Myanmar. During October-December 2024, total 150 cabbage farmers in Pindaya and Kalaw townships were individually interviewed using purposive and simple random sampling methods. Applying a multivariate probit model (MVP), the results clearly showed a distinct profile of determinants on adaptation strategies of adopters and non-adopters. Several factors positively influenced the cabbage farmers’ adoption of S1-cultural practices, including higher education, more farming experience, better access to extension services, flood risk perception and positive profitability assessments benefit-cost ratio (BCR), while the size of cabbage cultivation areas was negatively associated with adoption. Similarly, cabbage farmers who had more external support from extension services, higher perception of floods and profitability of cabbage farming had more probability to adopt S2-cropping system management. Farmers who had older ages, less farming experiences and their cabbage production was affected by temperature were more likely to adopt S3-livelihood diversification to pursue alternative income sources, perhaps due to risk aversion or resource constraints. The results revealed that providing institutional support, improved weather-related education, and economic incentives are important for encouraging cabbage farmers to adapt. Therefore, strengthening extension services and raising climate risk awareness programs by holding workshops and trainings, initiating the nationwide public educational programs such as vocational and farmers’ field schools, integrating localized weather information and early warning systems should be provided for cabbage farmers. It is also essential for creating effective interventions that enhance agricultural resilience against weather changes in the study areas