Use of climate forecast information to manage lowland rice-based cropping systems in Jakenan, Central Java, Indonesia

Smallholder farmers of Jakenan in Central Java must manage several climate-related risks including flood and drought events that occur more frequently, negatively affecting crop production and rural livelihoods. The use of climate forecasts had become important in coping with climate risk. This study assessed how farmers apply climate forecast information to manage rice cropping systems. The objective of this study was to identify factors affecting how farmers are using climate forecast information in rice-based cropping system in Jakenan, Central Java. Materials and Methods: The study was based on face-to-face interviews with smallholder farmers, using a semi-structured questionnaire conducted in 4 villages (Ngastorejo, Tlogorejo, Bungasrejo and Sendangsoko) in Jakenan sub-district from December, 2013 to February, 2014. A total of 100 farmers were selected randomly based on a list of farmers available in each village. The response of respondents was then statistically analyzed using the SPSS version 22 and the mean differences were determined by Independent t-test. Results: Results showed that in Jakenan, Central Java, farmers were influenced by several factors such as management practices, knowledge of climate forecasts and the process of decision making for farming practices with regard to the use of climate forecast. Based on the survey, most of respondents had knowledge of climate forecasts (72%) and used them for planting time determination (94%) and selection of crop varieties (91%). Adjusting planting time and selecting proper crop varieties has become their main strategy in coping with climate variability. Conclusion: Based on these results, the level of farmer knowledge mainly affects the use of climate forecast at the farm level in this region. Better knowledge of climate forecasts enabled farmers to interpret complex situations and adopt innovations hence minimizing climate risk and yield reduction