Applying Participatory Action Research Methods in Community-Based Adaptation With Smallholders in Myanmar

The effects of climate change to agriculture being largely location specific, it is crucial that adaptation measures recognize the value of targeted, context-specific, community-based strategies and processes. This research deployed participatory action research relying on a diverse range of socio-t...

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Main Authors: Barbon, Wilson John, Myae, Chan, Vidallo, Rene R., Thant, Phyu Sin, Monville-Oro, Emilita, Gonsalves, Julian Francis
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Frontiers Media 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/116153
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author Barbon, Wilson John
Myae, Chan
Vidallo, Rene R.
Thant, Phyu Sin
Monville-Oro, Emilita
Gonsalves, Julian Francis
author_browse Barbon, Wilson John
Gonsalves, Julian Francis
Monville-Oro, Emilita
Myae, Chan
Thant, Phyu Sin
Vidallo, Rene R.
author_facet Barbon, Wilson John
Myae, Chan
Vidallo, Rene R.
Thant, Phyu Sin
Monville-Oro, Emilita
Gonsalves, Julian Francis
author_sort Barbon, Wilson John
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The effects of climate change to agriculture being largely location specific, it is crucial that adaptation measures recognize the value of targeted, context-specific, community-based strategies and processes. This research deployed participatory action research relying on a diverse range of socio-technical methods for facilitating community-level adaptation in climate-smart villages. Smallholder farms in four unique agro-ecologies in Myanmar were targeted. Results and insights from the 3-year, participatory action research effort chronicle how the climate-smart village approach was implemented in the four targeted climate-smart villages (CSVs). The key support systems needed for effective community engagement in implementing the CSVs are discussed. Social learning helped nurture capacities of farmers to find solutions and test and improve adaptation options. Using a combination of socio-technical processes, smallholder farmers, researchers, and facilitators improved their understanding of climate change, drivers of vulnerability, and coping activities. With this knowledge and understanding, the farmers in the CSVs identified a menu of adaptation options that they would test and adopt (and scale). This “portfolio approach” to deriving adaptation options ensured that there were opportunities for men, women, and landless households to participate in the community adaptation process. This approach allowed farmers to determine what was their preferred entry point. Invariably, such approaches nurture incremental adaptation with associated incremental learning. The research suggests that land tenure regimes influence the nature of the adaptation options and their eventual uptake. In villages with high incidence of landlessness, the adaptation options were limited to homesteads, the small patch of land around the household dwelling. A more secure tenure status provided farmers with freedom to engage in diversified and long-term production systems. Poverty and wealth levels of households were other factors influencing the uptake of adaptation options, especially those aimed at diversifying production for reduced risks.
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spelling CGSpace1161532025-12-08T10:29:22Z Applying Participatory Action Research Methods in Community-Based Adaptation With Smallholders in Myanmar Barbon, Wilson John Myae, Chan Vidallo, Rene R. Thant, Phyu Sin Monville-Oro, Emilita Gonsalves, Julian Francis agriculture climate-smart agriculture climate change food security The effects of climate change to agriculture being largely location specific, it is crucial that adaptation measures recognize the value of targeted, context-specific, community-based strategies and processes. This research deployed participatory action research relying on a diverse range of socio-technical methods for facilitating community-level adaptation in climate-smart villages. Smallholder farms in four unique agro-ecologies in Myanmar were targeted. Results and insights from the 3-year, participatory action research effort chronicle how the climate-smart village approach was implemented in the four targeted climate-smart villages (CSVs). The key support systems needed for effective community engagement in implementing the CSVs are discussed. Social learning helped nurture capacities of farmers to find solutions and test and improve adaptation options. Using a combination of socio-technical processes, smallholder farmers, researchers, and facilitators improved their understanding of climate change, drivers of vulnerability, and coping activities. With this knowledge and understanding, the farmers in the CSVs identified a menu of adaptation options that they would test and adopt (and scale). This “portfolio approach” to deriving adaptation options ensured that there were opportunities for men, women, and landless households to participate in the community adaptation process. This approach allowed farmers to determine what was their preferred entry point. Invariably, such approaches nurture incremental adaptation with associated incremental learning. The research suggests that land tenure regimes influence the nature of the adaptation options and their eventual uptake. In villages with high incidence of landlessness, the adaptation options were limited to homesteads, the small patch of land around the household dwelling. A more secure tenure status provided farmers with freedom to engage in diversified and long-term production systems. Poverty and wealth levels of households were other factors influencing the uptake of adaptation options, especially those aimed at diversifying production for reduced risks. 2021-11-18 2021-11-18T14:54:58Z 2021-11-18T14:54:58Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/116153 en Open Access Frontiers Media Barbon WJ, Myae C, Vidallo R, Thant PS, Monville-Oro E, Gonsalves J. 2021. Applying Participatory Action Research Methods in Community-Based Adaptation with Smallholders in Myanmar. Frontiers in Climate 3:734053.
spellingShingle agriculture
climate-smart agriculture
climate change
food security
Barbon, Wilson John
Myae, Chan
Vidallo, Rene R.
Thant, Phyu Sin
Monville-Oro, Emilita
Gonsalves, Julian Francis
Applying Participatory Action Research Methods in Community-Based Adaptation With Smallholders in Myanmar
title Applying Participatory Action Research Methods in Community-Based Adaptation With Smallholders in Myanmar
title_full Applying Participatory Action Research Methods in Community-Based Adaptation With Smallholders in Myanmar
title_fullStr Applying Participatory Action Research Methods in Community-Based Adaptation With Smallholders in Myanmar
title_full_unstemmed Applying Participatory Action Research Methods in Community-Based Adaptation With Smallholders in Myanmar
title_short Applying Participatory Action Research Methods in Community-Based Adaptation With Smallholders in Myanmar
title_sort applying participatory action research methods in community based adaptation with smallholders in myanmar
topic agriculture
climate-smart agriculture
climate change
food security
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/116153
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