Climate Resilience Among Smallholder Farmers in Central Java: A Salutogenic Approach to Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change significantly affects farmers and causes them often to feel pressured from all sides as they must adapt to climatic changes while simultaneously being expected to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions from agricultural activities. Farmer suicide cases in Australia, India, the US, and the UK have highlighted how the adverse effects of climate change can significantly contribute to mental ill-health. In contrast, smallholder farmers in Central Java, Indonesia, show to have managed the stressful situations despite challenges related to climate change and other difficulties confronting them. Accordingly, this study employed salutogenesis theory to explore the experience of farmers in Central Java in the context of the perceived effects of climate change. The research begins by exploring how they perceive climate change has affected them, followed by an exploration of the resources and strategies used to cope with perceived impacts and the contribution of the sense of coherence (SOC) to their climate resilience. This study was conducted using a qualitative phenomenological framework. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nine smallholder farmers and one village head in Pati Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. The study found that smallholder farmers recognized changes in their natural environment that have adversely affected them. The negative effects of climate change have led to more frequent crop failures, which then trigger feelings of anxiety, frustration, and the desire to give up. Financial vulnerability and government- and system-related stressors have contributed to difficulties in returning to farming productivity. Nevertheless, the farmers managed to cope with these stressors using adaptation strategies developed from their experiences. They identified material resources, social support, local knowledge, religious faith, philosophy, and personal coping strategies to manage the stressful life events confronting them. The findings also indicated that SOC has contributed to the farmers’ climate resilience. However, the study suggests interventions to enhance farmers’ SOC to better adapt and sustain their resilience.