Thai farmers’ perceptions on climate change: Evidence on durian farms in Surat Thani province

Abstract

Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and an increase in extreme weather events pose significant threats to agricultural productivity and food security. These conditions provide the glimpse of the future and smallholder farmers, who often lack access to resources and support, are particularly vulnerable. Among the crops cultivated in Thailand, durian stands out as a uniquely cherished commodity, predominantly cultivated by these vulnerable farmers and despite the significance of this crop, there remains a notable oversight in understanding the specific challenges and vulnerabilities faced by durian growers in the face of changing climatic conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the perception of climate change and the adaptive capacity among durian farmers in Southern Thailand. A survey involving 80 durian farmers from Surat Thani province was conducted, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model. Findings found that 91.2 % of respondents acknowledged the impact of climate change, with 53.1 % opting to implement adaptation strategies. Factors such as lower education levels, limited farming experience, small farm sizes, and greater reliance on family labor significantly influenced the adoption of these strategies. Farmers achieving higher yields tended to adopt information and communication technologies (ICT), while smart farming technology (SFT) was more common among younger farmers and those with larger farms. This study indicates factors influencing adoption and a potential gap between awareness and action among durian farmers, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support mechanisms to encourage and facilitate the implementation of adaptation measures.