Farmers’ perceptions of climate hazards and coping mechanisms in Fiji

Climate change has various impacts on the environment manifesting in form of changing weather patterns to intensity and frequency of climate hazards. Most small island countries are particularly vulnerable to climate hazards, and Pacific Island countries (PICs) are not an exception to this. Recently, climate change has substantially affected agriculture in PICs, and its future remains uncertain. Fiji's agriculture is particularly vulnerable to climate hazards, including cyclones and floods. Agriculture is a major economic activity (both subsistence and commercial) in Fiji, and farmers have recently been struggling to cope with the increasing impact of climate hazards; hence, there is an urgent need to find better-coping methods for the future of Fiji's agriculture and farmers. This study investigates farmers’ perceptions of climate change and climate hazards, and coping methods and adaptive capacities in agriculture, using the case studies of Wainadoi and Navua, Viti Levu, Fiji. The results show that farmers have observed the change of climate and its impact, in particular increasing intensity of cyclones and frequency of floods. Farmers find traditional coping methods in agriculture less effective because of climate change, and feel the necessity of better coping methods. Farmers recognize that modern coping methods—using machinery, chemicals, or fertilizer—are more effective to reduce the impact of a climate hazard and to quickly recover after a hazard; however, some farmers, especially small-scale subsistence farmers, find it difficult to convert their coping methods. This is because of financial difficulties, religious beliefs, the loss of cultural identities, and low-level education. Results show that small-scale farmers are particularly becoming vulnerable to climate change. In conclusion, there is a need to find measures to support small-scale farmers under the current climate change, such as the combination of traditional and modern coping methods to enhance resilience