Can agricultural extension enhance the climate resilience of smallholder famers? Evidence from West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

This study explored the impact of agricultural extension and livelihood capital on the resilience of rice farmers in the food barn areas of the Karawang and Subang districts of West Java Province, Indonesia. These regions are crucial for national food security and are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate risks. Using a mixed-methods approach, we collected data from 100 rice farmers to evaluate how agricultural extension influences three key dimensions of resilience: stabilization, adaptation, and transformation. The findings of this study provide a preliminary analysis showing that the implementation of extension by the government alone does not significantly impact farmers' resilience (p=0.7). The resilience capacity of rice farmers in the low category in both districts. However, a pluralistic approach could enhance farmer resilience regarding stabilization and adaptation capacity. Human and social capital significantly influenced rice farmer resilience (p=0.00 and p=0.007, respectively). The findings of this study underscore the importance of pluralistic extension models for enhancing farmers' resilience to climate change. This study contributes to understanding the significance of pluralistic extension services through dynamic interactions with livelihood capital, which can bolster the climate resilience of smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia.